Opposition MP Premila Kumar has questioned whether the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) is still operating under a rules-based system, following conflicting explanations over April fuel pricing.
“Is FCCC still operating under a rules-based system, or has it drifted into discretionary decision-making?” Ms Kumar asked.
She said the regulator initially assured the public that its standard one-month lag pricing method had been used, but later indicated the review window had been extended to reflect global volatility.
“If the pricing window was extended, then by definition, the standard method was not applied. That is a contradiction — and it misleads the public,” she said.
Ms Kumar warned that the one-month lag system plays a critical role in cushioning consumers from sudden global price shocks.
“By moving the goalposts — and worse, by failing to disclose it upfront — the FCCC undermined that assurance,” she said.
She added that any change in methodology should have been clearly communicated at the time of the announcement.
“Consistency is the backbone of trust. When methodologies change, the public deserves to know immediately,” Ms Kumar said.
The former minister also argued that extending the pricing window could accelerate the impact of global fuel price increases on ordinary Fijians already facing rising living costs.
“Fuel prices in Fiji can now rise faster than before, stripping away the very buffer that once protected consumers,” she said.
Ms Kumar further questioned the absence of scrutiny from consumer watchdogs, saying greater transparency and accountability are needed.
She stressed that the issue goes beyond fuel pricing and strikes at public confidence in regulatory institutions.
“If the rules can change without warning, can FCCC still be trusted to act in the public’s best interest?” she said.
