Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced he has yet to receive a detailed explanation from Justice Minister Siromi Turaga regarding the controversial suspension of Dr. Jalesi Nakarawa, the Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, which some critics perceive as a potential misuse of authority by Turaga. Following this suspension, which was publicly announced due to alleged breaches and complaints, Dr. Nakarawa has since returned to work.

Rabuka expressed concerns about Turaga’s unilateral decision to place Dr. Nakarawa on leave without prior consultation with him. Turaga indicated that serious incidents had been reported within the corrections service that warranted an immediate investigation, raising significant governance and administration issues.

When questioned about apparent double standards in the treatment of former Minister for Women and Children Lynda Tabuya compared to Turaga’s case, the Prime Minister opted not to comment but confirmed he is actively seeking clarification from the Justice Minister. Although there were no formal complaints against Turaga, Rabuka implied that he is reluctant to impose penalties for what some consider a constitutional oversight.

Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum criticized Turaga’s approach, emphasizing that according to Section 130(4) of the Fijian Constitution, the authority to appoint and discipline the Commissioner resides with the President, not the Justice Minister. He asserted that disciplinary actions against constitutional officers should follow due process and be managed by the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC).

Opposition MP Ketan Lal echoed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding Dr. Nakarawa’s suspension, warning that it could undermine public trust in government institutions. Both he and Sayed-Khaiyum have called for accountability and transparency from the government regarding this situation.

This unfolding incident presents a critical opportunity for the Fijian government to reaffirm its commitment to constitutional integrity and public accountability. By addressing these governance issues openly and adhering to legal protocols, Prime Minister Rabuka and his Cabinet can work towards restoring public trust and emphasizing the importance of following constitutional processes. This could potentially lead to meaningful reforms and enhance public confidence in Fiji’s governance framework.

In summary, while the challenges posed by this incident are significant, there remains hope that the ongoing discourse could facilitate essential reforms and reinforce adherence to democratic principles in Fiji’s governance.