Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar has voiced strong criticism against Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent decision to expand his Cabinet, questioning the departure from his government’s pre-election promise to streamline government operations and reduce costs. Kumar expressed disappointment over what she perceives as a failure to hold underperforming ministers accountable, instead opting to appoint seven new ministers and assistant ministers, resulting in a record-high total of 34 members in the Cabinet.

“This isn’t a reshuffle; it’s merely a bailout for ministers who are not delivering results,” Kumar asserted, highlighting concerns that such an expansion of the Cabinet is contrary to the government’s earlier commitments made before the election. Both Rabuka and Finance Minister Biman Prasad had previously vowed to reduce the size of the government to curb unnecessary spending, a promise that now appears unfulfilled.

Kumar emphasized the financial implications of this Cabinet enlargement, which she argues places additional burdens on taxpayers already suffering from rising living costs. She criticized the government’s priorities, suggesting that the funds devoted to this bloated Cabinet could have been better allocated to addressing urgent national issues such as post-disaster recovery from enduring floods, shortages in healthcare supplies, and sectoral infrastructure improvements.

Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry echoed Kumar’s concerns, labeling the expansion “irresponsible” and stressing its negative impact during a time when many citizens are grappling with economic difficulties.

Despite the backlash and the perception of governmental failure, this situation might spur essential discussions surrounding governance and accountability in Fiji. Advocates for reform hope that increased scrutiny could lead the Rabuka administration to reassess its policies, prioritize the needs of the populace, and foster a more accountable and effective governance model.

In summary, while the Cabinet expansion has brought significant controversy, it also presents an opportunity for Reevaluation and reform. The political discourse could pave the way for a government responsive to the aspirations and challenges faced by ordinary Fijians, thus enhancing public trust and service delivery in the long run.