THE Attorney General and Minister for the Economy Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum is probably the most influential Minister this country has ever had. His influence is everywhere, in the Decrees, the Constitution, the Electoral system, economic policies the news media and even foreign policies of this country.
He has been in a position of unusual power and influence since 2007 when he became the Attorney General and Minister for Justice under the first Cabinet of Commodore Bainimarama. That was after the removal through a bloodless Coup of the elected government led by Laisenia Qarase on December 4, 2006.
Will Khaiyum’s influence on the direction and evolution of Fiji as a state, a political and economic system and a nation of diverse people, be of lasting significance? This is a question that should be evaluated and answered after he is no longer in power, by those who are better qualified and can take a more objective and balanced assessment.
This column is only a narrow impressionistic commentary on some of his initiatives and impacts, particularly on development towards the 2013 Constitution. Parliament and the electoral laws. I generally raise the question: What had motivated him and will his actions be of lasting value to the country?
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