We are concerned about the culture of dishonesty - AG

Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the government trusts Fijians when they offer new initiatives to people however there is a lot of concern about the culture of dishonesty.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the government is seriously concerned with some people who made false declarations to get taxi permits and to get assistance under the Help For Homes initiative and the CARE program.

He says there is a certain level of responsibility on the people when government offers the assistance.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the government spent $125 million for the Help for Homes initiative and $110 million on the CARE programs. He says unfortunately, some people made false declarations to get the assistance that they did not need.

He says the same level of dishonesty was seen during the taxi permit draw when some people again made false declarations.

Sayed-Khaiyum says some people have already raised issues about people likely to abuse the 5 days Family Care Leave that will start from next year.

He says that the government is also ensuring that they appoint the right civil servants for the right positions.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the previous culture in the civil service was appointments based on who they knew, their ethnicity, their religion and who they knew in the system.