Mahendra Chaudhry, the leader of the Fiji Labour Party, has expressed concerns regarding the Cabinet’s involvement in establishing the terms of reference for an inquiry into the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). He argues that it would be inappropriate for Cabinet to have this authority, especially considering that several Cabinet ministers are currently under investigation by FICAC.
Chaudhry conveyed his apprehension about the Prime Minister’s comments, indicating that the terms of reference and the appointment for the proposed inquiry are set to be discussed in Cabinet next Tuesday. He highlighted that approximately seven or eight Cabinet ministers are implicated in ongoing FICAC investigations stemming from complaints made by the Registrar of Political Parties, pointing out a significant conflict of interest.
He questioned whether these ministers should have any role in determining the inquiry’s terms of reference or in selecting its members. Additionally, Chaudhry criticized the process of appointing Barbara Malimali as FICAC commissioner, suggesting that the timing appeared to be an attempt to interfere with the commission’s operations and to obstruct the potential arrest of Finance Minister Biman Prasad on multiple allegations of submitting false financial information to the Registrar of Political Parties.