Cabinet Reshuffle Prerogative Of The Prime Minister
It is important that the Prime Minister is allowed all the flexibility and benefit of time to decide on the subject of
Cabinet reshuffle.
Mr. Parmesh Chand, Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister's Office said the re-shuffle of Cabinet is solely the prerogative
of the Prime Minister. Upon return from a hectic tour of the Middle East visiting Fiji troops stationed at various
locations, the Prime Minister as scheduled has proceeded to take a few days leave. He returns from leave on Monday 7th
January.
He will give further consideration to the matter pertaining to the Cabinet Reshuffle on return and in appropriateness of
time, a statement would be issued by him informing the media and the general public about the nature and composition of
any Cabinet reshuffle, said Mr. Chand. It is only the Prime Minister who will decide and make relevant announcement.
He requested media to give due credence to such an important matter and treat it with sensitivity given each and every
member of the Interim Government has made sacrifices and contributed enormously to recovery and nation building over the
last 12 months.
Just because the announcement has not been made, it does not give anyone the authority to go about speculating and
putting unnecessary pressure on the process. There are certain good reasons why the announcement of a new line up has
taken a bit more time than what it would usually have taken. One such reason is that the Prime Minister wanted those who
he approached to be clearly aware of the implications of the travel ban on them if they joined the Interim Government.
Mr. Chand said that it would be good if those countries which have imposed travel bans come forward to genuinely engage
with the Interim Government to take the country forward. The travel bans are a great hindrance and they are
counterproductive to our efforts to move the country forward, he said
ENDS