Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar has harshly criticized Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent decision to appoint three new Ministers and four Assistant Ministers, referring to the reshuffle as a “sham.” Kumar argues that instead of holding underperforming ministers accountable, Rabuka has chosen to expand his Cabinet, which she believes is merely a bailout for ineffective leaders who continue to enjoy the perks of their positions at the expense of hardworking Fijians.

In her statements to FijiLive, Kumar expressed disappointment over the Prime Minister’s failure to address the existing inefficiencies among ministers, emphasizing that this expansion illustrates an unwillingness to make necessary changes. With the Cabinet now totaling 34 members, which includes 22 Cabinet Ministers and 12 Assistant Ministers, Kumar pointed out that this current configuration represents one of the largest administrations in Fiji’s history, contradicting prior commitments by Rabuka and Deputy Prime Minister to reduce government size and cut unnecessary spending.

Kumar asserted, “If the current ministers and assistant ministers were delivering results, why expand the cabinet? The answer is clear: they aren’t. This expansion is an admission of failure.” She raised concerns that these unbudgeted appointments could drain resources meant for crucial development projects, further exacerbating the struggles faced by taxpayers coping with rising living costs and declining public services.

Her sentiments echo the broader discontent among political figures like former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, who has termed the cabinet expansion as “irresponsible.” Chaudhry emphasized that such enlargements introduce additional financial burdens on the taxpayers while neglecting critical economic challenges, like poverty and infrastructure issues.

Despite the heavy criticism, there stands a potential for positivity and reform through this discourse. It could serve as a catalyst for the government to reassess its leadership effectiveness and reinforce accountability. With increased dialogue surrounding governance, there is hope that the government may work more diligently towards prioritizing the needs of its citizens, leading to improved public services and a reinstatement of trust between the electorate and their administration.

In summary, although the cabinet reshuffle has sparked significant debate and concern regarding governance in Fiji, the ongoing discussions surrounding these critical issues may inspire necessary reforms and a renewed focus on accountability. This situation presents an opportunity for the government to realign with the aspirations of the Fijian populace, enhancing service delivery and overall public trust.