Opposition MP Jone Usamate has criticized former Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for what he believes to be insincere claims of moral superiority, accusing him of hypocrisy and self-serving behavior. Usamate pointed out that during Sayed-Khaiyum’s time as FijiFirst General Secretary, he opposed a $15,000 constituency allowance for MPs, a position that the FijiFirst party had strongly supported in Parliament.

Despite his initial opposition, Sayed-Khaiyum later accepted this allowance on behalf of FijiFirst, using $5,000 per member to pay off debts attributed to his financial mismanagement. Usamate contended that had Sayed-Khaiyum genuinely believed in his principles, he would have donated the funds rather than using them to resolve liabilities created under his leadership.

Usamate remarked, “Sayed-Khaiyum’s actions speak louder than his words,” and pointed out that he left FijiFirst burdened with nearly $700,000 in debt before dissolving the party, which left creditors without compensation. He argued that Sayed-Khaiyum’s calls for ethics from others are contradicted by his own record.

Highlighting the expectations of MPs to contribute to their communities, Usamate noted that the modest salary of $50,000 makes it difficult for them to do so, especially in light of Sayed-Khaiyum’s own salary of $235,000, which is significantly higher than that of government MPs and Opposition backbenchers. He suggested that Sayed-Khaiyum should donate a portion of the $400,000 he earned from his inflated salary towards settling FijiFirst’s debts.

Usamate emphasized that Parliamentary decisions, including bills on Truth and Reconciliation and Remuneration, affect all members, regardless of their initial opinions. He concluded that Sayed-Khaiyum’s record of hypocrisy should not be overlooked and urged him to reconsider his lecturing on ethics.

In a positive light, this situation highlights the importance of accountability in leadership roles, encouraging transparent practices that prioritize community welfare over personal gain. The ongoing discourse may foster a deeper commitment to ethical behavior in politics, showing that citizens are increasingly vigilant and demanding higher standards from their leaders.