Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum CF (born 24 September 1965) is a Fijian politician and a former cabinet minister. He was the Fijian attorney general and the Minister for Economy, Civil Service and Communications, and also served as the minister responsible for climate change under the FijiFirst government. He is the third-highest polling candidate from the Fijian general elections of 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum CF | |
|---|---|
| 33rd Attorney General of Fiji | |
| In office 6 October 2014 – 24 December 2022 | |
| President | Ratu Epeli Nailatikau George Konrote Wiliame Katonivere |
| Prime Minister | Frank Bainimarama |
| Preceded by | Faiyaz Koya |
| Succeeded by | Siromi Turaga |
| In office 8 January 2007 – 24 September 2014 | |
| President | Ratu Josefa Iloilo Epeli Nailatikau |
| Prime Minister | Frank Bainimarama |
| Preceded by | Qoriniasi Bale |
| Succeeded by | Faiyaz Koya |
| Minister for Economy | |
| In office 6 October 2014 – 24 December 2022 | |
| President | Epeli Nailatikau George Konrote |
| Prime Minister | Frank Bainimarama |
| Preceded by | Frank Bainimarama (as Minister of Finance) |
| Succeeded by | Biman Prasad (as Minister of Finance) |
| Minister for Communications and Public Enterprise | |
| In office 6 October 2014 – 24 December 2022 | |
| Minister for Civil Service | |
| In office 6 October 2014 – 24 December 2022 | |
| Minister for Justice, Elections and Anti-Corruption | |
| In office 6 December 2006 – 24 December 2022 | |
| President | Ratu Josefa Iloilo Ratu Epeli Nailatikau George Konrote |
| Prime Minister | Frank Bainimarama |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 September 1965 Suva, Fiji |
| Political party | FijiFirst |
| Spouse | Ela Gavoka (m. 2011) |
| Relations | Viliame Gavoka (father-in-law) |
| Children | Two sons, one daughter |
| Alma mater | ANU (BA) UNSW (LLB) University of Hong Kong (LLM) University of Wollongong (GDLP) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Prior to his appointment as a cabinet minister following FijiFirst's general election victory in September 2014, Sayed-Khaiyum was the Fijian attorney general and the Minister for Justice, Anti-Corruption, Public Enterprises, Communications, Civil Aviation, and the Minister responsible for Elections under the Bainimarama Government.
According to The Economist, the daily functioning of the Fijian government is run by Sayed-Khaiyum. The South China Morning Post describes Khaiyum as one of the South Pacific's most powerful men.
Sayed-Khaiyum is the former General Secretary of the FijiFirst party. He also serves as the Fijian Governor in the Asian Development Bank, and has been the ADB Chair of the Board of Governors since 2018.
Following Frank Bainimarama's recovery from heart surgery in January 2022, Sayed-Khaiyum was named Acting Prime Minister.