Financial Crime World

Cybercrime Threatens Finance in Fiji: Speaker of Parliament Warns

The threat of cybercrime to Fiji’s financial sector has been highlighted by Hon Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, the Speaker of Parliament, during a two-day regional workshop on cybercrime.

Cybercrime poses significant threats

Lalabalavu warned that cybercrime poses a significant threat to security, public safety, and economic development in Fiji and other developing countries. With increasing reliance on online transactions and electronic communications, individuals and institutions are becoming more vulnerable to attacks.

“We swipe our ATM cards or fill out online forms with personal information without thinking about the risks,” he said. “We need to constantly ask ourselves how safe we are.”

Role of Parliamentarians in Combatting Cybercrime

Lalabalavu emphasized the critical role that parliamentarians play in developing legislative and institutional frameworks for cybersecurity, as well as ensuring good governance principles apply in this area.

As parliamentarians, they can:

  • Convene stakeholders for policy discussions
  • Promote ratification of international treaties on cybersecurity
  • Push for domestic legislation to implement these obligations
  • Encourage their governments to support the passage of implementing legislation

Country Updates and Progress

Kiribati’s Speaker of the House of Assembly, Tangariki Reete, shared her country’s progress in ratifying the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. Her government has implemented awareness programs nationwide, educating the public on cybercrime and how to protect themselves online.

Vanuatu’s First Deputy Speaker, Andrew Solomon Napuat, revealed that his country was not immune to cybercrime, having experienced a major attack on its whole-of-government network in 2022. He plans to gather more information from the workshop to share with parliamentarians in Vanuatu.

Workshop Concludes with Plan of Action

The event will conclude today with presentations from senior officials, including the Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum and Deputy Speakers from New Zealand and Samoa. A Plan of Action is expected to be adopted following discussions among participants.