The Fiji Labour Party is urging the Prime Minister to demote Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad to the backbenches, following charges filed against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for allegedly submitting false statutory declarations to the Registrar of Political Parties.
In a public statement, FLP Leader Mahendra Chaudhry emphasized that it is also essential for Prasad to be replaced as the leader of the Fijian delegation to COP 29 in Azerbaijan scheduled for November, considering the ongoing legal issues he faces.
Chaudhry reminded that the Prime Minister previously stated on September 8 that he would not hesitate to demote Prasad if charges were pressed by FICAC. Notably, Prasad was charged on September 5 with several offenses related to breaches of the Political Parties Act and was scheduled to appear in court.
Chaudhry pointed out that the swift appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner on the same day as Prasad’s charges raised concerns about possible political interference aimed at preventing the latter’s arrest and prosecution. He described the timing of Malimali’s appointment as strikingly coincidental.
Recent developments have led the Prime Minister to declare the intention to establish a Board of Inquiry to address growing doubts regarding Malimali’s appointment. The Prime Minister acknowledged the multitude of questions surrounding her resignation from the Electoral Commission and her subsequent appointment and agreed with Chaudhry that a thorough investigation is necessary to uphold the integrity of the process.
Chaudhry stated that the FLP is now awaiting action from the Prime Minister on this issue, warning that any delays in launching the proposed inquiry could further undermine trust in FICAC as an independent body.