Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar has sharply rebuked Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent decision to appoint three new Ministers and four Assistant Ministers, labeling the reshuffle a “sham.” In an interview with FijiLive, Kumar expressed her profound disappointment, arguing that Prime Minister Rabuka has failed to address the inefficiencies among his ministers. Instead, he has chosen to further expand his cabinet, effectively providing a lifeline to underperforming leaders at the expense of hardworking Fijians.

Kumar pointed out that the cabinet has swelled to a staggering 34 members, comprising 22 Cabinet Ministers and 12 Assistant Ministers, making it one of Fiji’s largest cabinets in history. She criticized this move as a blatant contradiction to previous promises made by Rabuka and his Deputy to reduce the size of government and curb unnecessary expenditures prior to the 2022 General Election.

“This is not a reshuffle,” Kumar stated, highlighting the failure to hold ineffective leaders accountable and instead opting to preserve the status quo. She emphasized that if the existing ministers were successfully addressing their responsibilities, there would be no need for a cabinet expansion. Kumar characterized this enlargement as an implicit admission of failure in leadership, as it rewards inefficiency rather than correcting it.

Moreover, she raised concerns about the financial implications of these unbudgeted appointments, warning that crucial resources could be diverted from essential projects to sustain this bloated structure. This situation represents a failure of governance, Kumar posited, as taxpayers are already grappling with rising costs and declining public services.

Echoing Kumar’s sentiments, former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry also criticized the cabinet expansion, labeling it “irresponsible” and calling it a burden on taxpayers, particularly when many citizens are experiencing economic difficulties.

While the backlash against this cabinet reshuffle is significant, it also opens the door for meaningful reforms. The discontent among the opposition and the public may inspire the government to reevaluate its policies and strategies, focusing more on accountability and the genuine needs of the Fijian population. There is hope that enhanced dialogue surrounding these governance issues could lead to a renewed emphasis on improving public services and restoring trust between the administration and the citizens it serves.

In summary, the recent cabinet expansion has generated considerable criticism and debate regarding governance in Fiji. Still, this moment could ignite necessary reforms that align the government’s actions more closely with the expectations and needs of its constituents. The opportunity for transformative changes in leadership and administration is present, potentially leading to better service delivery and a stronger relationship with the Fijian public.