Opposition MP Mosese Bulitavu expressed the belief that the downfall of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was largely attributed to Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who served as the former Attorney-General and Minister for Economy. In response to a statement made by Bloc 16 and Opposition MP Jone Usamate, who labeled Sayed-Khaiyum a hypocrite, Bulitavu indicated that this comment underscores a general discontent among the G16 members in Parliament toward Sayed-Khaiyum and their desire to distance themselves from him politically.
Bulitavu pointed out that many former senior ministers within the previous FijiFirst government had provided sound advice to Bainimarama but often found their input disregarded by Sayed-Khaiyum. He described a shift in the current Coalition government, where individual ministers are now responsible for presenting their Bills, contrasting this with the past where Sayed-Khaiyum, in his role as Attorney-General, dominated the legislative process.
He suggested that Sayed-Khaiyum counseled Bainimarama against listening to the Military Council, contributing to decisions that may have hurt their governance. Bulitavu commended Usamate for his courage to speak out as an independent MP and expressed appreciation for his clear message on behalf of his group.
This situation highlights ongoing tensions within Fiji’s political landscape and demonstrates a critical shift towards more open debate and accountability among members of the government. It’s encouraging to see representatives like Bulitavu and Usamate advocating for greater political dialogue and collaboration, which could pave the way for effective governance and reconciliation in the future.
In summary, the article portrays the friction in Fijian politics following the previous administration’s collapse, with calls for accountability and reform within the current political structure. This evolving discourse reflects a hopeful commitment to improved governance in Fiji.
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