Show Me Evidence That Tenders Were Issued Based On Race, Religion: A-G

Acting Prime Minister and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has challenged people to show him evidence that any Government or statutory body had issued tenders based on the recipients’ race and religion.

Speaking on FBC’s Aaina programme on Monday, where host Shammi Lochan questioned him about rumours on social media that only Muslims were receiving a lot of Government tenders.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said all tenders were given to the most meritorious companies and were dealt by the Government Tender Board.

Speaking in Fiji Hindi, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said: “Show me even a small evidence that one person got a tender because of his or her religion or race.”

He stressed that bodies such as the Fiji Roads Authority, Land Transport Authority, Water Authority of Fiji had their own tender process which was independent of Government.

All Government tenders are facilitated by the Government Tender Board, which had its own board which was also independent of Government.

He was also asked about the hate against the Muslim community which has seen an increase as the country heads into elections.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said if his name was not Aiyaz and was Ajay, the hate would have been directed towards the Hindu community.

He said if his name was Aisake from Nadroga, people would have pointed out that more people from Nadroga were holding important offices.

He said it was out of sheer desperation that people were resorting to such gimmicks for their political gain.

He also hit out at political parties that were not campaigning with honesty. He cautioned people to think things through before believing everything a politician tells them.

While sharing an anecdote from 2000, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said one village had asked the then Government to fix their road. One tractor was brought and parked near the village before elections and villagers were told that it would be used in fixing up the road.

Soon after the election results were declared, the tractor was taken back and no road was fixed.

He said it was fast becoming a sad reality that people were not campaigning honestly.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said a house built on a weak foundation would crumble and this held true if politicians were making false promises to earn a few more votes.

Edited by Mohammed Zulfikar

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