Opposition Member of Parliament Hem Chand has raised concerns regarding the newly expanded Cabinet of Fiji, which now consists of 34 ministers and assistant ministers, marking the largest ministerial ensemble in the nation’s history. He criticized this development as contributing to the highest ministerial salary bill ever recorded in Fiji.
During his speech in Parliament, Hem Chand aligned his views with those expressed by President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, who emphasized the importance of accountability, transparency, and good governance at the inauguration of the 2025 Parliament session. However, Hem Chand pointed out a disconnect between the President’s statements and the Coalition Government’s actions, stating that the public largely feels that good governance is not being practiced.
The opposition MP expressed disbelief at the justifications for such a large Cabinet, especially in the context of Fiji’s population of fewer than one million people, and highlighted the burden on taxpayers to support this expanded political structure. He also emphasized the timing of this Cabinet expansion, which comes against the backdrop of increased difficulties faced by ordinary Fijians, including a hike in Value Added Tax (VAT), along with pressing issues like poverty, a high cost of living, rising crime rates, and deteriorating public services.
Similar critiques have been voiced by various political figures, including Nilesh Lal, the Executive Director of Dialogue Fiji, who labeled the Cabinet as “bloated” and pointed out the disproportionate number of Members of Parliament occupying ministerial roles relative to the country’s size and economic challenges. Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has also condemned the expansion as financially irresponsible, arguing it does not align with the urgent needs of Fijians.
Despite these criticisms, the ongoing dialogue concerning the Cabinet’s size presents an opportunity for the government to reflect on its priorities. The amplifying voices of dissent may spur necessary reforms that align governmental actions with citizens’ needs, possibly leading to improvements in public services and greater accountability in governance.
Overall, while the current situation raises significant concerns about governance priorities in Fiji, it also opens the door for constructive discussions that could positively impact how the administration interacts with the public moving forward.
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