Fiji’s Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Charan Jeath Singh has hit back at calls for his removal from Cabinet, defending his treatment of a senior ministry official and criticising the head of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC).
“I am answerable to the public and I know the issues my staff in the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar are facing,” Singh said.
His comments follow a statement from FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali, who called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to immediately remove Singh over what she described as “bullying and disrespectful behaviour.”
“Anyone who does not treat Fijians with dignity and respect does not deserve to be in national leadership,” Ali said.
FWCC made the call in response to a recent incident where Singh reportedly scolded the Acting Permanent Secretary for his ministry, Reshmi Kumari, after media failed to attend the opening of the 2025 sugar crushing season at the Lautoka mill.
Ali said the minister’s behaviour “warrants immediate action by the Prime Minister,” and added that “if any disciplinary measures were to be taken—whether against the Acting Permanent Secretary or the Minister—it must be done fairly and without bias.”
In his response, Singh said, “Like any other minister correcting public servant in a public space upon concerns raised from the people on the ground and the ministry itself, I did it also.”
He aded: “It is sad to find that Ali failed to discuss with me first about the series of issues against Kumari and perhaps instead of going to the public she could have discussed with Kumari also to provide her assistance.”
Singh said that Kumari had not been removed from her post and that the matter had been handled by the proper authorities.
“A due process has been taken by the Public Service Commission and I have nothing to do with it,” he said.
Singh said that Ali should focus on the centre, questioning it’s accountability and effectiveness.
