In their enthusiasm to “get on with the job”, individual ministers in the coalition Government would have been making statements to the press without the prior endorsement of Cabinet and the Prime Minister.
This is the view of former long-serving permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office and civil service guru, Jioji Kotobalavu.
He said in their haste, some ministers’ enthusiasm could be misconstrued.
Mr Kotobalavu said this could have contributed to a recent statement by Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, where he expressed concern at the “sweeping changes” being rushed through without careful thought about the procedures and processes as required by law.
Mr Kotobalavu said while Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua’s intervention in getting the Commander RFMF’s assurance that it fully recognised the authority of the coalition Government was timely, the damage had already been done.
“Nevertheless, these developments have created much public anxiety and concern,” he said.
“I even received calls from overseas by people who were deeply concerned by what was happening here.
“This is the lingering effect and impact of past coups in Fiji.”
Mr Kotobalavu said from his experience and observation, “elected Governments function most effectively when its policy priorities and implementation programs were collectively considered and well co-ordinated in Cabinet under the leadership of the Prime Minister”.
“What we are seeing at present is the beginning of a new government administration.
“Individual Ministers are trying to be helpful in responding to media enquiries about what they intend to do in their respective ministries.
“They are all very enthusiastic to ‘get on with the job.’ But often times, the best approach is to hasten slowly, consult Cabinet first, and then announce your ministry’s policy and program priorities with Cabinet’s prior approval.
“Ministers will find that they are most effective when they have the full collective backing of the Prime Minister and other colleagues in Cabinet.”
