Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar has sharply criticized Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for recently appointing three new Ministers and four Assistant Ministers, deeming the reshuffle a “sham.” In her remarks to FijiLive, Kumar expressed her disappointment, stating that rather than addressing inefficiencies or holding underperforming ministers accountable, Rabuka opted to expand his Cabinet, effectively bailing out ineffective leaders at the expense of hardworking Fijians.

Kumar highlighted that this expansion has swelled the government to a total of 34 members, comprising 22 Cabinet Ministers and 12 Assistant Ministers, marking it one of the largest cabinets in Fiji’s history. She pointed out that this contradicts Rabuka’s prior commitments to reduce government size and curb unnecessary expenditures, a promise both he and Deputy Prime Minister made before the 2022 General Election.

“If the current ministers and assistant ministers were delivering results, why expand the cabinet?” Kumar asked, emphasizing that this enlargement signifies an admission of failure in leadership. She warned that the unbudgeted nature of these appointments could drain critical resources away from essential development projects, escalating challenges related to rising living costs and declining public services that taxpayers already face.

Kumar’s strong criticism aligns with the sentiments of other political figures, including former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, who also labeled the cabinet expansion as “irresponsible,” highlighting how it adds financial burdens during a period of economic struggle for many Fijians.

While the backlash against this cabinet reshuffle is significant, it presents an opportunity for necessary governance reforms. The ongoing discussions and criticisms may prompt the government to reassess its strategies and align more closely with the needs of the populace. Advocates for reform remain hopeful that increased accountability and focus on public service could be the result of this political discourse, leading to improved administration effectiveness and greater trust among Fijians.

In summary, although the recent cabinet expansion has ignited debate surrounding governance in Fiji, it offers a crucial opportunity for reform. By engaging with citizens’ needs and fostering accountability, the government could pivot towards a more responsive leadership model that prioritizes effective service delivery and restores public confidence.