The leader of the UNITY Fiji Party has called for a rapid investigation into the leadership of Pal Ahluwalia, the Vice Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (USP). Savenaca Narube expressed his views during a visit to the striking staff at USP, who have raised ongoing concerns about Mr. Ahluwalia’s leadership.
In a media statement, Mr. Narube underscored the necessity of an investigation, likening it to the scrutiny faced by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner, Barbara Malimali. He stated, “We need to drill down and reveal the actual nature of this,” adding that investigating such matters is not inherently problematic.
He criticized the delay in creating terms of reference for the investigation, which has been pending for six weeks since the USP Council agreed to support an inquiry. Mr. Narube suggested that the individuals responsible for drafting these terms may not be treating the matter as a priority, hinting at possible underlying motives.
Expressing grave concern over the decline of good governance not only in the university but also in Fiji’s public sectors, he pointed to the controversial appointment of Ms. Malimali amid ongoing investigations into her behavior, advocating for similar scrutiny to be applied to Mr. Ahluwalia’s situation.
He stated, “So, what we are asking in that particular case, is to investigate. Ask Malimali to step aside, investigate what those things are. The allegations and the counter-allegations, to get the truth out. Same should apply for the VC here.”
Mr. Narube emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in Fijian institutions, as the university staff persist in their strike, pushing for governance reform and the initiation of an investigative process. The situation continues to evolve as both the staff union and the USP Council address these urgent matters.