Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar has strongly condemned the Coalition Government for choosing not to appeal a recent High Court ruling that deemed the termination of Barbara Malimali unlawful. She described this decision as a telling sign of incompetence within the current administration.
In her remarks, Kumar stated that the government’s choice is “a tacit confession of incompetence,” highlighting significant failures at the highest echelons of power. She specifically criticized the Prime Minister, the Acting Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, and their diminishing advisory circle, labeling the situation as an indictment of their leadership.
Kumar expressed her concern that Fiji’s governance is being led by officials who do not truly understand or respect the law. She emphasized that legal errors have sadly become too frequent under the current regime, stating, “Court defeats are now routine. Legal humiliation is now normal. Taxpayer-funded damage control is now standard operating procedure.”
Furthermore, she pointed out the Prime Minister’s contradictory statements, claiming, “He speaks of the rule of law while trampling it. He invokes institutions while bypassing them. He promises stability while manufacturing chaos.” Kumar argued that ordinary Fijians are left to bear the consequences of what she terms governmental dysfunction, which includes wasted litigation costs, exposure to compensation claims, and a stagnated political climate.
Kumar did not spare Cabinet ministers and assistant ministers, criticizing them for merely existing to offer praise rather than providing sound advice and preventing failures. “This is not governance,” she remarked. “It is political decay in real time. Fiji is not facing a policy problem. Fiji is facing a leadership collapse.”
The frustrations voiced by Kumar reflect a growing unrest among opposition members regarding the current administration’s decisions and their serious implications for both the legal and political landscape of the nation. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for the government to effectively confront these challenges, restore public trust, and uphold accountable governance for the benefit of all citizens in Fiji.