Sayed-Khaiyum says the President of FNU's Students Association is openly supporting a political party

Minister for Economy and Education Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the President of the Fiji National University Students Association Ketan Lal is openly supporting a political party and a faith based organization that has very extreme views.

Sayed-Khaiyum made this comment while speaking during the 2018/2019 National Budget Roadshow at the FNU Campus in Nasinu and in a session in Ba.

While speaking in Nasinu, Sayed-Khaiyum told Lal that if he is a representative of a student organization then he should be representing his students who are his members and not NFP or whichever party his flying the flag for.

Sayed-Khaiyum told Lal that he is doing a huge injustice as when students come into University environment they should be only focused on academic qualification and improving student environment.  

He went on to say that when one represents students organisations, that person must be completely independent.

He says in that way they are willing to fund student organizations if they are truly students organizations and not flying the flag of some political party which is the job of politicians.

Ketan Lal then stood up and said that there is a very big confusion about him supporting a particular political party however he will be happy to clear the doubt.

Lal later said that the government has given a very good budget this year and FNU students will now get free WiFi where students will be able to use YouTube for their research.

He also raised some issues with Sayed-Khaiyum which were to do with transportation of FNU students from Ba and Rakiraki and the need to have more hostels.

Sayed-Khaiyum also made similar comments about Ketan Lal in a session in Ba.

We have made several attempts to get Ketan Lal’s interview however his phone is switched off from yesterday afternoon.

Lal had initially spoken to us yesterday and had said he will give us an interview about the issues highlighted by Sayed-Khaiyum.

Meanwhile, National Federation Party’s Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says Sayed-Khaiyum’s attack on the student leader at FNU for showing support for the party and following a religious belief is shameful and despicable.

Prasad says the Attorney‑General tours the country on his so‑called “Budget Roadshow” and his comments become more ridiculous at every meeting.

Prasad says Sayed-Khaiyum has attacked Lal as politically aligned because he says Lal liked or shared some NFP social media posts.

Biman Prasad says just because a person heads a student body does not prevent him from expressing views about a political party adding that anyone can comment for or against the ideas of a political party and this does not make a person “politically aligned”.