Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum back as Attorney General

There is a change to the Cabinet before the swearing in of the new Parliament as Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will resume his role as Attorney General and shed the roles of Minister for Industry and Trade and Minister for Tourism.

The newly appointed Attorney General Faiyaz Koya now switches portfolios to take responsibility for the Ministries of Industry and Trade and Tourism.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said the change has been made because of the heavy workload of Sayed-Khaiyum-s other portfolio, Finance, and the need for the minister responsible for the portfolios of Industry and Trade and Tourism to have a more hands-on role than he was able to provide, especially in the lead-up to the Budget.

Bainimarama said these are two of the most important ministries in Government.

The Prime Minister said they need specialist attention and a full time minister.

Faiyaz Koya will take charge of the Government’s vital export effort, a key objective of the current Parliamentary term and also has a solid background in tourism as a former board member of Tourism Fiji and the Fiji Hotel Licensing Board.

Bainimarama said the role of Attorney General no longer requires the same level of commitment.

He said while Finance and the Public Service are demanding portfolios, Sayed-Khaiyum has an intimate knowledge of the AG’s role and his work as Attorney General will complement the reform program in these other portfolios and provide the AG’s Chambers with continuity.