Justice Minister’s Missstep Exposes Government Weakness

The recent debacle surrounding the extended leave imposed on Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa by Justice Minister Siromi Turaga has exposed a glaring in­competence that undermines both the rule of law and public confidence in governance.

Minister Turaga’s attempt to invoke Section 22(1) of the Corrections Act to justify his actions reflects a troubling misunderstanding of the law.

As Mr Na­karawa rightly pointed out, the section in question empowers the minister to appoint a committee for inquiry-not to place a Constitutional Office holder on leave.

Such actions can only be authorised by the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) through the President, as stipulated by Section 130(4) of the 2013 Constitution.

This episode is not just a legal misstep; it is a consti­tutional embarrassment.

It casts doubt on the min­ister’s competence and, by extension, the Govern­ment’s ability to uphold the integrity of its processes.

Former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum aptly labelled this fiasco a “constitutional debacle,” highlighting how the minister’s actions have inter­fered with the established COC process and poten­tially usurped Presidential authority.

The fallout is damning. Mr Nakarawa’s swift re­turn to work and public rebuttal underline the ille­gitimacy of the minister’s directive.

The absence of transparency regarding the allegations against him further exacerbates the issue, raising concerns about procedural fairness and accountability.

This incident is yet another addition to a growing list of governance failures under the coalition Gov­ernment. From unresolved controversies in local elections to questionable leadership appointments, the administration appears increasingly plagued by internal discord and legal blunders.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka must urgently ad­dress the competence of his cabinet.

Allowing min­isters to operate with such apparent disregard for constitutional processes tarnishes not only the Gov­ernment’s image but also the justice system’s cred­ibility.

How long will the Government tolerate this level of ineptitude? Ministerial missteps are no longer iso­lated incidents-they are becoming a pattern.

This latest fiasco demands accountability, not only from Minister Turaga but also from the head of govern­ment.

Failing to act will only erode public trust fur­ther and solidify the perception of a government adrift in legal and governance failures.

Feedback: naisak@fijisun.com.fj