PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has stated that Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) coordinator Shamima Ali is entitled to formally lodge any concerns she has regarding Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry, Charan Jeath Singh, as a complaint.
This follows calls from the FWCC for the Prime Minister to remove Singh from Cabinet, citing what Ali described as a pattern of “bullying and rude behaviour” unbecoming of a national leader.
Mr Rabuka confirmed that he was not aware of the removal of acting permanent secretary Reshmi Kumari by Minister Singh despite being the Minister for Public Service.
“I wasn’t aware of that,” Mr Rabuka said.
“I am in charge of public service. I’d like to get a report from my public sector for public service and whoever has been removed, where she’s been moved too, who had replaced her, and on what authorities.
“Ms Ali and company should bring it up as a complaint, personal complaint, or as an organisational complaint from the organisation against the minister.”
He said Mr Singh was elected to Parliament by the people and that the Prime Minister’s authority to recommend to the President allowed him to be appointed as a minister.
“If they want him removed, they can decide not to vote for him in the next election.”
Mr Singh claims that he had evidence that Ms Kumari, the acting permanent secretary of the ministry, was not carrying out her duties.
In response to Ms Ali’s call to the Prime Minister to remove him from Cabinet, Mr Singh said like any other minister correcting public servants in a public space, upon concerns raised from the people and the ministry, he also did the same.
“It is sad to find that Ms Ali failed to discuss with me first about the series of issues against Ms Kumari and perhaps instead of going to the public, she could have discussed with Ms Kumari also to provide her assistance,” Mr Singh said.
He confirmed Ms Kumari has not been removed from her position.
“A due process has been taken by the Public Service Commission, and I have nothing to do with it.”
In response, Ms Ali said, “people of this country know me, and people of this country know him. I’ll let the people judge.”
