Opposition MP Mosese Bulitavu has expressed that former members of the FijiFirst party attribute the downfall of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to the influence of former Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
In response to Bloc 16 member Jone Usamate’s recent comments labeling Sayed-Khaiyum a hypocrite, Bulitavu argued that this criticism reflects a broader sentiment within the parliamentary G16 bloc, which is averse to being politically linked with Sayed-Khaiyum.
Bulitavu contended that many senior ministers from the previous FijiFirst government had tried to provide constructive advice to Bainimarama but were often sidelined by Sayed-Khaiyum. He noted that in the current Coalition government, there’s a shift where individual ministers have the opportunity to present their own Bills, in stark contrast to the previous administration where Sayed-Khaiyum dominated this process.
Furthermore, Bulitavu mentioned that there were instances when Sayed-Khaiyum’s counsel led Bainimarama to disregard the Military Council, suggesting that the military’s current leadership is now focused on restoration and reconciliation—an approach not shared by the former Prime Minister, largely due to what Bulitavu referred to as misguided advice.
He praised Usamate for his outspoken stance as an independent MP and the Opposition Whip, highlighting that Usamate’s remarks resonated clearly with the collective voice of the group.
This discussion underscores the complexities within Fijian politics and suggests that ongoing debates about leadership and governance are pivotal as the new coalition seeks its path forward. As political dynamics continue to evolve, there’s potential for a more collaborative and transparent government structure, benefiting the nation as a whole.
Leave a comment