Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has issued a warning to the government regarding the politicization of leadership roles within essential regulatory bodies, emphasizing that recent controversies surrounding electricity price increases underscore the dangers of inadequate governance.
In a recent social media post, Sayed-Khaiyum expressed concern about the implications of appointing individuals to critical positions based solely on political considerations. He stated, “The Chair, the board and the CEO positions should not be given away as political candy or to curry favour with some at the expense of merit, competency and professionalism.” He argued that such actions could ultimately harm the government’s standing, leading to economic uncertainty and a decline in public and investor confidence in Fiji’s market stability.
Sayed-Khaiyum asserted that the recent 25% increase in electricity tariffs stemmed from decisions made by the current Board and management of the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), rather than directly from government actions. He criticized the FCCC for allegedly neglecting its own regulatory procedures, asserting that this disregard represents a significant failure.
Acknowledging Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s assertion of the FCCC’s independence, Sayed-Khaiyum cautioned, “The Government cannot dictate to FCCC or interfere to arbitrarily dictate pricing, which will distort the market. Such interference would be illegal.” He stressed the importance of regulatory bodies like the FCCC in maintaining investor confidence and economic stability, drawing parallels with Australia’s ACCC.
“The decisions made by FCCC affect Fijian citizens, businesses and the wellbeing of the Fijian economy,” he noted, highlighting the urgent necessity for these bodies to operate free from political influence. He lamented that the influence of specific political figures seems to overshadow the independence of vital national institutions, thereby compromising the welfare of ordinary Fijians.
Sayed-Khaiyum concluded with a pertinent lesson for Prime Minister Rabuka and his administration, urging them to prioritize appropriate appointments. He warned that failure to do so could jeopardize their effectiveness in governance, diminish investor and public confidence, and ultimately impact their electoral prospects.
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