Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has stated that members of Parliament do not require new laptops and mobile phones. He emphasized that the devices he received at the start of his term are still functioning well and questioned the necessity of providing new gadgets to all MPs.
Rabuka’s remarks came in light of a tender for high-end gadgets issued by the Department of Information Technology and Computing Services, which was reported by The Fiji Times. When approached for comments, he insisted that new devices should be given only to those who truly need them. “The need is my question; whether we really need it,” he remarked, adding that the current devices in use are adequate.
In response to these plans, Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry criticized the proposal, suggesting it would burden taxpayers. Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad labeled these concerns as “misleading,” clarifying that the matter falls under Parliamentary discretion and does not pertain to ministers. He stressed that the Parliament operates with its own budget, independent of the executive branch.
Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Leader of Government in Parliament and deputy leader of The People’s Alliance party, confirmed that ministers have yet to receive new mobile phones and laptops, stating they are continuing to utilize the devices issued at the beginning of their terms. He mentioned still using his assigned phone and personal laptop, stating that he had not been informed of any plans to distribute new devices.
Judith Kotobalavu, general secretary of the Fiji Public Service Association, expressed concern over this situation, noting a troubling disconnect between Parliament and the everyday struggles faced by Fijians. She called on the government to stop this entitlement culture and redirect resources towards pressing issues like poverty alleviation, healthcare improvement, and economic recovery.
Attempts to get comments from Parliament’s secretariat and Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu did not elicit any responses.