Opposition Member of Parliament Jone Usamate has questioned why the Prime Minister has delayed an independent investigation into the Minister for Youth and Sports and the Fiji Sports Council.
Usamate said any suggestion that something improper may have occurred must be thoroughly examined in the national interest.
He questioned why the Prime Minister only moved to act after public pressure intensified, despite the matters being known as early as 2025.
He said the delay reflected what he described as a troubling culture of inaction within leadership, where difficult issues are left unresolved in the hope they will fade away.
“People across the country have seen this approach before, and many are now wondering what outcome it will bring this time,” he said.
Usamate also raised concerns about the decision to pursue a private investigation, questioning why established institutions such as the Police and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) were not tasked to handle the matter.
“When existing institutions are set aside, it creates the impression that they are not being allowed to do their work. That is not good for public confidence,” he said.
He stressed that any investigation must be led by individuals who are genuinely independent and warned against repeating past experiences, including the Commission of Inquiry, which he said was costly, later ruled unlawful by the courts, and left the country with confusion and additional legal expenses rather than clarity.
Usamate cautioned those who may be asked to lead the new investigation to consider the implications for their professional integrity, noting that the public would expect the same standards applied in past cases to be upheld now.
“At the centre of all this must be the people — their trust, their confidence, and their right to know that the law applies equally to everyone,” he said.
He concluded by calling on the Prime Minister to ensure the consistent application of the law, without exceptions or special treatment.
“The country does not need more committees or temporary arrangements. It needs one standard for everyone. If our independent institutions are not being allowed to function, then we must confront the real issue — the system itself is not being allowed to work as it should.”
