Opposition MP Jone Usamate has strongly criticized former Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, accusing him of hypocrisy as he attempts to project a moral high ground. Usamate asserted that during Sayed-Khaiyum’s time as the General Secretary of FijiFirst, he opposed the $15,000 constituency allowance for Members of Parliament, a position that the party upheld in Parliament. However, Usamate pointed out that Sayed-Khaiyum later accepted this allowance for FijiFirst and used a portion of it to settle party debts, which he attributes to Sayed-Khaiyum’s financial mismanagement.
Usamate emphasized that if Sayed-Khaiyum truly stood by his principles, he would have chosen to donate the allowance rather than using it to address liabilities he created. He further mentioned that Sayed-Khaiyum left FijiFirst with a substantial debt of nearly $700,000 and dissolved the party, leaving creditors without compensation. Usamate remarked that Sayed-Khaiyum’s directives against the allowance were not based on genuine principles, as he did not choose to donate any contested funds to charitable causes.
Highlighting the roles MPs play in their communities, Usamate noted the expectation for members to contribute generously during significant events, even with their modest parliamentary salaries of $50,000. He contrasted this with Sayed-Khaiyum’s considerable salary of $235,000 per year, which he deemed grossly disproportionate to what his colleagues earned, suggesting that it underscored a pattern of self-enrichment and ethical shortcomings in Sayed-Khaiyum’s leadership.
Usamate reiterated the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, urging Sayed-Khaiyum to reflect on his actions before critiquing the ethics of others. He called for the former minister to consider using his accumulated salary to assist FijiFirst’s creditors or contribute to charitable causes.
In light of this exchange, it is vital for political leaders to maintain integrity and align their practices with the values they espouse. The ongoing dialogue about ethics in governance encourages greater accountability among public officials, ultimately benefiting the democratic process.
As the situation unfolds, Fijians are encouraged to remain engaged and vigilant, advocating for transparency and ethical leadership in their representatives.
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