Information Minister Lynda Tabuya has responded to criticism from the Fiji Labour Party regarding her recent Cabinet reappointment by labeling the party’s leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, and his son, Rajendra Chaudhry, as “convicted criminals.” In her statement, Ms. Tabuya highlighted that Mahendra Chaudhry had been found guilty in 2014 of concealing millions of dollars from the Reserve Bank as part of a legal case under the Exchange Control Act. His son, currently a fugitive, was sentenced in 2019 for contempt of court after making derogatory social media posts about judges.
Ms. Tabuya expressed her disdain towards the criticisms directed at her by mentioning that “calling me a disgrace” pales in comparison to the serious convictions against the Chaudhrys. She replied to the Fiji Labour Party’s labeling of her Cabinet position as a “crisis of integrity,” emphasizing that the real issue lies in Chaudhry’s past criminal convictions.
Additionally, she launched a personal attack on others who have critiqued her, referring to them as “minions” of the former prime minister and accusing them of lacking critical thinking. She maintained that she would remain focused and undistracted by what she called “irrelevant criminals and cyber bullies.”
In response, Mahendra Chaudhry questioned Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s judgment for reappointing Tabuya, arguing that her past actions have brought shame to the government.
This exchange underscores ongoing tensions within Fijian politics and raises vital questions regarding accountability and integrity in leadership roles. As Fiji navigates these controversies, there is hope that the emphasis on ethical standards may lead to greater scrutiny of political figures and a renewed commitment to transparency in governance. Addressing these issues can potentially restore public trust in political institutions, fostering a culture of responsibility among elected officials.
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