Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has voiced his astonishment at the appointment of Electoral Commission chairwoman Barbara Malimali as the new commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Mr. Seruiratu’s concerns were echoed by fellow Opposition MP Premila Kumar, who described Ms. Malimali’s appointment as startling and unethical, given that the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) had appointed someone who is currently under investigation by the agency she is set to lead.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Mr. Seruiratu remarked that this decision reflects poorly on the Government. “I’m shocked, but not surprised,” he stated. “We’ve been emphasizing the issues of good governance and institutional integrity from the beginning.”
He clarified that while they have no personal objections to the appointee, the responsibility lies with the appointing authority, which is the Government.
Mrs. Kumar also demanded transparency from the Government regarding how Ms. Malimali was appointed as FICAC commissioner amidst ongoing investigations. “One must ask: Was the JSC unaware of these investigations? Or did they choose to overlook them?” she posed.
She expressed serious concerns about the integrity and credibility of the appointment process, questioning how the public could trust FICAC to perform its duties fairly when its leader is involved in significant allegations.
Mrs. Kumar called for the chair of the Judicial Services Commission to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding how the decision was made and why thorough due diligence seemed absent in “this critical appointment.”
Questions have been directed to the JSC concerning the confirmation of Ms. Malimali’s appointment.