“I MADE those statements as the general secretary of the party (FijiFirst).”
This was the explanation of the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum during the Parliamentary Privileges Committee meeting on Monday September 2, 2019 about statements he had made against Opposition MP Pio Tikoduadua in Parliament and in a press conference on August 9.
The Opposition Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka had written a letter to Speaker of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau raising their concerns about Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s membership on the committee considering a matter of privilege against the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and Mr Tikoduadua.
In a letter read out to the committee by the committee chairwoman, Veena Bhatnagar, Mr Rabuka said the Opposition was concerned that the A-G was on the committee “despite his public utterances against Honourable Pio Tikoduadua”.
Mr Rabuka said in particular, the Hansard of Friday, August 9, 2019 where Mr Sayed-Khaiyum agreed with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama accusing suspended Opposition MP Pio Tikoduadua of making a personal attack against him (PM).
“Furthermore, at a press conference on the evening of Friday, 9th August, 2019, the Honourable Attorney-General announced that Honourable Tikoduadua’s comments in Parliament regarding the Honourable Prime Minister’s family is highly unfitting of a Member of Parliament. Therefore, he has prejudged the matter and cannot be impartial as a Member of the Privileges Committee,” Mr Rabuka highlighted in a letter read out to the committee members.
After the letter was read out, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said it was their (Government) opinion that the committee should continue because “it has been referred to us by the Speaker and we need to do that. I mean it is just an opinion of theirs that it should not, and frankly they tend to get the law incorrect quite commonly”.
“In respect of my matter whether I am conflicted or not, Madam Deputy Speaker, the issue here is obviously against the breach of privilege against the Honourable Prime Minister and also against Honourable Tikoduadua.
“I mean, I made those statements as the general secretary of the party, but again I mean I can obviously consult with the Leader of the Government in Parliament and the Honourable Prime Minister and indeed if there is a need, then I can obviously step down too if there is a need for it.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum later recused himself from the committee.
