Opposition Member of Parliament Jone Usamate has criticized former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, calling him a “hypocrite” and asserting that his attempts to claim moral high ground are “disingenuous.” Usamate’s remarks followed a statement from Sayed-Khaiyum urging MPs who opposed a recent parliamentary pay rise to donate their increased earnings to charity.
Sayed-Khaiyum suggested that if these MPs were truly committed to their opposition, they should have already donated the money or created a fund to aid charitable organizations benefitting ordinary Fijians. He indicated that failing to do so would place them in the same category as those who voted for the pay rise.
In response, Usamate highlighted that during Sayed-Khaiyum’s time as general secretary of FijiFirst, he had opposed a $15,000 constituency allowance for MPs but later accepted it to mitigate party debts, which Usamate attributed to Sayed-Khaiyum’s poor financial management. He argued that if Sayed-Khaiyum were genuinely principled, he would have donated that money instead of using it for party liabilities.
Usamate pointed out that Sayed-Khaiyum left FijiFirst with nearly $700,000 in debt and dissolved the party, leaving creditors without recourse. He criticized Sayed-Khaiyum for calling for ethical behavior from others while his own record displays “contradiction and double standards.”
He further noted the expectations placed on MPs to contribute to their communities during significant life events and natural disasters, pointing out the challenge faced by these MPs with their relatively modest salaries of $50,000 compared to Sayed-Khaiyum’s personal annual salary of $235,000, which is nearly six times higher.
Usamate concluded by asserting that it is crucial to remember Sayed-Khaiyum’s record of hypocrisy and self-interest before he lectures others on ethics, emphasizing the need for accountability within the political landscape.
In summary, this exchange highlights the tensions within Fijian politics as MPs are scrutinized for their financial practices and ethical standards. It serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and the expectations voters hold for their representatives, making transparency in governance even more crucial. This situation also opens up a larger discussion regarding the accountability of political figures and the need for them to lead by example to restore public trust.
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