MPs Under Pressure: Should They Donate Controversial Pay Raises?

Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is urging transparency and accountability among Members of Parliament (MPs) who either opposed or abstained from voting on the contentious pay increase and benefits enhancement for themselves. He believes that these MPs should demonstrate their sincerity by donating the additional funds to charitable organizations.

In a recent vote, 40 MPs supported the salary hikes for the President, Speaker, Ministers, Assistant Ministers, and fellow MPs, while seven voted against and five chose to abstain. Sayed-Khaiyum has raised questions about the integrity of those who opposed or abstained from the pay rise. He suggested that if these MPs were genuinely against the increase, they should proactively donate the funds to charity or establish a trust to help Fijians in need.

“Those MPs who voted against or abstained from this morally and ethically unacceptable pay rise should not benefit from it,” he stated. He added that it is imperative for MPs to publicly disclose any contributions they make to demonstrate their commitment to the welfare of ordinary Fijians.

Sayed-Khaiyum emphasized that failing to act would put those MPs in a morally ambiguous position, comparable to those who approved the pay increase while many Fijians continue to face challenges in their daily lives. He called on them to take immediate action and make their charitable contributions public to substantiate their opposition.

This situation reflects an opportunity for political leaders to step up and show their compassion for the community. By aligning their actions with their stated views, they can foster greater trust and engagement with the public during these difficult times.

In summary, Sayed-Khaiyum is pressing MPs to either contribute their additional earnings to charity or establish how they plan to support the community, challenging them to transform their political stance into meaningful action for the betterment of Fiji. This call for accountability could pave the way for greater integrity in political leadership, potentially revitalizing public trust in government officials.