Former A-G calls for transparency, accountability
“Those MPs who voted against or abstained from this morally and ethically unacceptable pay rise should not benefit from it,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Wednesday 11 December 2024 | 14:47
Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has called for transparency and accountability from Members of Parliament (MPs) who opposed or abstained from voting on the controversial pay rise and benefits increase for themselves, urging them to demonstrate their sincerity by donating the additional funds to charity.
In May 2024, 40 MPs voted in favour of the salary increases for the President, Speaker, Ministers, Assistant Ministers, and MPs while seven voted against and five abstained.
Integrity
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In a statement on Monday, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum questioned the integrity of those who opposed or abstained, suggesting that if they were truly against the increase, they should have already taken steps to donate the money to a charitable cause.
“Those MPs who voted against or abstained from this morally and ethically unacceptable pay rise should not benefit from it,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“If they were genuine in their opposition, they should have already donated the money to a worthy charitable organisation, or at the very least, set up a trust to pool the funds and help ordinary Fijians.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum also called for full transparency, urging MPs to publicly disclose any funds donated or set aside for charity.
“If they genuinely opposed the pay rise, this is an opportunity for them to prove their sincerity,” he said.
“By doing so, they can show that they truly care about the welfare of ordinary Fijians.”
He emphasised that failing to take such action would place these MPs in the same morally questionable position as those who voted for the pay rise.
“If they don’t donate the money, they are just as bad, if not worse, than those who openly voted for the pay rise and benefits while ordinary Fijians continue to face daily hardships,” he added.
He urged MPs to demonstrate political savvy and moral leadership by acting on their opposition to the pay rise.
“If these MPs want to show they are truly on the side of ordinary Fijians, they should take immediate action and make it public,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum concluded.
“Otherwise, their opposition will remain nothing more than a hollow political gesture.”
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