Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar has voiced strong criticism of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent decision to expand his Cabinet, which has now reached a total of 34 members, comprising 22 Cabinet Ministers and 12 Assistant Ministers. Kumar argues that this expansion contradicts pre-election promises made by Rabuka and Finance Minister Biman Prasad to streamline the government and reduce costs.

Kumar raised concerns over the inclusion of seven new ministers and assistant ministers, questioning where the government’s commitment to reducing the size of the administration has gone. She described the Cabinet enlargement as a “bailout” for underperforming ministers, and emphasized that this decision ultimately places a financial burden on taxpayers already struggling with rising living costs.

Instead of focusing on making government more efficient, Kumar highlighted that the funds invested in this bloated Cabinet could have been better allocated to tackle urgent national issues, such as supporting families affected by recent floods, addressing the chronic shortages of medicines in hospitals, and improving critical infrastructure.

In defense of the Cabinet expansion, Prime Minister Rabuka stated that the move was aimed at improving government efficiency and service delivery, rather than an attempt to consolidate power ahead of the upcoming 2026 General Election. However, the political backlash has been significant, with former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry echoing Kumar’s sentiments about the financial irresponsibility of such an increase during economically difficult times.

This Cabinet expansion incident presents a vital opportunity for discussions on governance, accountability, and reform in Fiji. Critics hope that increased scrutiny will prompt the government to realign its priorities towards the pressing needs of the populace, potentially cultivating a more effective administration responsive to citizens’ concerns.

In summary, while the Cabinet expansion has drawn considerable criticism, it also serves as a pivotal moment for the government to reassess its priorities. Engaging in open dialogue with citizens about accountability could lead to reforms that enhance public service delivery and strengthen trust in the administration. Observers remain hopeful that this situation may shift the focus back to the needs of all Fijians during challenging times.