Alleged Nepotism in FBCL Recruitment

Transparency International Fiji is calling the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Ltd to make public its recruitment process in the appointment of the new FBCL CEO, Mr. Riyaz Saiyad Khaiyum. TI Fiji believes that given the appointee is the brother of the current Attorney General, Mr. Aiyaz Saiyad Khaiyum, public disclosure of the appointment process with qualifications and experiences of other candidates and names of the interview panel would clear any doubts of nepotism, if any.

TI Fiji would like to reiterate the link between conflict of interest, nepotism and cronyism as stated here:

A conflict of interest arises when a person in a decision-making position is influenced by personal considerations when doing his or her job. Conflicts of interest, as well as the closely related phenomena of nepotism and cronyism are inherently counterproductive. It is thus essential that clear and unambiguous measures be taken - such as procedural statements and codes of conduct - that help to identify and to deal with actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest and that prevent these from seriously undermining the functioning of an organization (Source : Pope, J (2000 Conflict of Interest, Nepotism and Cronyism)

TI Fiji would like to remind the interim government that for the sake of our economy and government’s integrity in governance, the interim government should focus on strengthening public's confidence on how government's business is conducted with impartiality and honesty.

H P Singh
Chairman
Transparency International-Fiji.