Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry has launched a scathing attack on the G11 group of former FijiFirst MPs, accusing them of being political mercenaries who abandoned their principles for ministerial positions and personal benefits.
Mr Chaudhry said the group’s decision to support Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his proposed constitutional reforms amounted to a betrayal of the voters who elected them.
“The defection of the G11 to the Rabuka camp is tainted with greed,” he said.
“They must be denounced as political opportunists driven entirely by greed for power and self interest rather than principles and the national good.”
The G11, led by Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua, has reportedly assured the Prime Minister of its support for the draft constitution when it comes up for its Third Reading, possibly later this month.
Mr Chaudhry said the group was even suggesting that additional Opposition MPs could join its ranks, potentially increasing its membership to 15.
He argued that while the development might be celebrated by the G11, voters who supported the former FijiFirst MPs would regard their actions as a betrayal of trust.
“They cannot deny they were ‘bought out’ by Prime Minister Rabuka with offers of ministerial positions that more than doubled their backbencher pays along with perks such as vehicles, housing and travel benefits running into the thousands,” he alleged.
“In short, they sold their integrity and trust, if not their souls, for ‘a few shekles of silver’ so to speak, as had the infamous Judas Iscariot in Biblical times,” he said.
He also criticised the proposed constitution, contained in Bill 32 of 2026, describing it as undemocratic and discriminatory.
Mr Chaudhry claimed the Bill’s progress through Parliament had been made possible by questionable and unconstitutional processes that could be challenged.
“It is a tainted process rife with political corruption,” he alleged.
He accused Mr Rabuka of acting unscrupulously in March 2025 by securing the G11’s support through ministerial appointments.
Mr Chaudhry also argued that expanding an already large Cabinet had placed additional financial pressure on the Government.
He claimed two other Opposition MPs were subsequently brought into the Government through similar ministerial inducements.
“Their defection is a blatant betrayal of the original voter mandate,” he said.
Mr Chaudhry questioned whether politicians who changed their allegiance for what he alleged were personal benefits could be trusted with decisions affecting Fiji’s constitutional future.
“How can we entrust the future of the nation to such people who act unashamedly to promote their own selfish interests?” he asked.
