Biman Prasad, left, and Sitiveni Rabuka in December 2022. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Kelvin Anthony
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed on Tuesday that his Finance Minister - and one of three deputies - has resigned after being charged by the country's anti-corruption watchdog.
Local media first reported that Biman Prasad, the man in charge of government finances, had been charged with coruption-related offences under Fiji's political party laws and was expected to resign.
According to local media reports, Prasad was charged with allegedly failing to declare his directorship in hotel ventures as required under the Political Parties Act.
The development came less than a week after the resignation of co-Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica, who is also facing corruption charges.
"Today, I received Biman Prasad's formal notification of his resignation from Cabinet and as Deputy Prime Minister. He will remain a member of parliament and caucus. His resignation follows the formal charges being laid against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC)," Rabuka said a video statement released by the Fijian government on Tuesday afternoon.
Prasad, who is the leader of the National Federation Party, has served as a Cabinet member since 24 December 2022. He was responsible for finance, strategic planning, national development and statistics portfolios.
Rabuka told fijivillage.com that he believed the cases against his two deputies would not be resolved quickly, and that "it may take some portfolio management and reshuffling".
However, in a statement on Tuesday evening, Prasad said he intends to "deal with this charge in the shortest possible time and in accordance with proper legal process".
"My lawyers are dealing with this expeditiously," he said.
He said Rabuka had "assured me of his personal support while I do so".
"One thing I have learned in 11 years of political leadership is that it involves many challenges, often from unexpected places.
"This is just one more of those challenges to be dealt with calmly, patiently, and as swiftly as possible."
Rabuka has appointed an MP from his ruling People's Alliance Party to take over the ministerial portfolios that Prasad and Kamikamica had been overseeing.
Manoa Kamikamica, left, and Sitiveni Rabuka (file image) Photo: Facebook / Manoa Kamikamica DPM
Kamikamica is being charged with perjury and giving false information to a public servant, while the details of the charges against Prasad have yet to be made public by FICAC.
'Political and institutional chaos' - Labour Party
The Fiji Labour Party says the latest developments is a sign of "a total breakdown of leadership" under Rabuka.
"Fiji Labour Party notes with deep concern the ongoing political and institutional chaos gripping the Coalition Government," it said in a statement.
"Instead of confronting the crisis head-on, the Prime Minister has chosen to downplay the gravity of the situation, pretending that everything remains 'under control'.
"The truth is quite the opposite - the coalition is collapsing under the weight of its own hypocrisy, infighting, and betrayal," it said.
The party added the government is "in free fall" and the country needs "renewal, not recycled politics".
