Opposition MP Premila Kumar has vocally accused Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of losing control over his government and its ministers, raising concerns during Parliament about the deteriorating situation in Fiji under his leadership. In a response to the Prime Minister’s speech, Kumar highlighted several pressing issues, including a surge in crime, rising living costs, an increase in drug-related problems, a spike in HIV cases, and a mass exodus of young people from the country.
Kumar expressed her disbelief at the current state of the healthcare system, emphasizing that hospitals are now poorly managed, lacking essential resources like backup generators during surgeries. She also criticized the government’s judiciary processes, which she believes are raising serious questions about their efficacy.
The former FijiFirst minister pointed out that the government’s actions seem to focus more on hosting extravagant cocktail events and overseas trips rather than addressing the nation’s pressing issues. Kumar conveyed that the Coalition Government has not delivered on its election promises, instead maintaining a narrative that positions the previous regime, FijiFirst, as the scapegoat for its shortcomings.
Kumar argued that the Coalition government is suppressing dissent by limiting Question Time in Parliament, thus stifling the opposition’s ability to deliver crucial inquiries on behalf of Fijians. She called this trend undemocratic, accusing the government of deliberately silencing opposition voices to evade accountability. Kumar noted that time for parliamentary debates has been reduced, limiting meaningful discussions crucial for the country’s governance.
Moreover, she condemned the introduction of the roll call voting system, stating that it compromises the constitutional right to a secret ballot, suggesting this could pave the way for intimidation among members of parliament. This situation, according to Kumar, is symptomatic of a broader assault on democratic principles and represents a threat to the integrity of Fiji’s governance.
The Parliament session is set to continue tomorrow, and through this ongoing discourse, there is hope that an emphasis on accountability could spur necessary reforms within the government’s approach to addressing the citizens’ needs. Advocates for change believe that fostering public dialogue might lead to a government more attuned to the aspirations and challenges of its citizens, ultimately enhancing service delivery and restoring trust in leadership.
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