Acting PM claims CFL has lost its independence after he was questioned on Shamima Ali raising concerns on COVID-19 protocols

Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum today claimed that Communications Fiji Limited has lost its independence after he was questioned on Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator, Shamima Ali raising concerns and alleging that Sayed-Khaiyum and other Ministers were not following COVID-19 protocols during their tour of the Western Division last month.

We asked Sayed-Khaiyum about photos that showed no masking and physical distancing of two metres.

Fijivillage also asked the Acting Prime Minister to respond to Shamima Ali questioning if there is a different set of rules for government ministers and ordinary Fijians.

Sayed-Khaiyum told us the rules apply to everybody.

Meanwhile, Shamima Ali says Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum should stop attacking media organisations like Communications Fiji Limited and The Fiji Times, and start answering the questions put to him in a truthful manner.

Ali says to leave the media alone and concentrate on the mess in our country.

She says the journalist during today’s press conference asked a very pertinent question on following COVID-safe protocols.

Ali says just answer the question asked by the journalist and stop obfuscating the issue.

The Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator says if the heat is getting too much for the Acting Prime Minister, then he should give up some of the numerous portfolios and concentrate on getting the country back on track.

Ali says every Fijian has a right to ask questions of elected leaders, and the leaders have a responsibility to respond.

Shamima Ali says as a citizen of this country who has dedicated 36 years of her life to eliminating violence against women and girls, child protection and human rights, she has every right, as any other citizen, to highlight and speak on issues of national interest and she will continue to do so.

She also asks if the AG is saying women do not have the mandate to speak on any issue apart from women’s issues.

Ali says it is the business of every single Fijian to speak on issues that concern them and it is not only the prerogative of politicians.

She says the AG should remember that he is paid by us and is accountable to us – and not the other way around.

The Crisis Centre Coordinator says he should also remember that when grants are given by foreign donors and development partners, we have every right to know how it is going to be spent.

Communications Fiji Limited stations, Legend FM, FM96, Viti FM, Navtarang and Radio Sargam and website, fijivillage stress that we are not in the business of personalizing and politicizing issues. We always stand for balance, fairness and accuracy. CFL does not support any politician or political party and also does not stand for or support any form of discrimination against any particular individual.