The recent appointment of Barbara Malimali has raised concerns about the independence of institutions, the absence of due process, and a Prime Minister who seems unaware of ongoing issues within his administration.
On the second day of the Barbara-gate scandal, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Biman Prasad has come under scrutiny, facing accusations related to undeclared assets, income, and liabilities.
Central to the controversy is Ms. Malimali’s swift appointment as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). There are strong beliefs that her role is intended to block any investigations that might implicate the Finance Minister.
Attorney-General Graham Leung has defended Ms. Malimali’s appointment, while critics argue that she has been placed at FICAC to safeguard the interests of those in power, avoiding accountability for their actions.
In a significant development yesterday, Acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Pulewai submitted her resignation during a meeting with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC). She expressed her inability to work alongside Ms. Malimali and stressed her commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Pulewai pointed out that there were already pending investigations into Mr. Prasad before she assumed her position. She expressed hope that FICAC’s integrity would remain intact and that justice would be served.
In response to Pulewai’s resignation, Mr. Prasad stated that the issue should be handled by the new commissioner. He maintained that his legal team had communicated clearly with FICAC regarding the allegations, asserting that there was no basis for the claims against him.
Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, defended Ms. Malimali, stating that the inquiry against her was disclosed to the JSC prior to Pulewai’s resignation. He emphasized that Ms. Malimali was appointed by the JSC and had no prior knowledge of the investigation before starting her role at FICAC.
Turaga criticized the leaks surrounding the investigation, noting that they compromised confidentiality, and reiterated that FICAC operates under the protections of the 2013 Constitution. Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica insisted that proper procedures were followed, citing the involvement of respected judges in the JSC. He affirmed that the government is committed to upholding democracy and the separation of powers.
The People’s Alliance Party had previously pledged to abolish FICAC within its first 100 days in office.