The recent appointment of Barbara Malimali as the Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has prompted criticism from Senior Opposition Member of Parliament Jone Usamate, who described the decision as inappropriate and troubling.
While Usamate expressed no personal grievances against Malimali, he emphasized the importance of having qualified individuals in significant positions and pointed out that concerns regarding transparency and accountability seem to have been overlooked. He questioned whether the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) employed an impartial team to review candidates for the role, as is customary when the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) makes appointments.
Usamate raised concerns about whether the Office of the President conducted adequate due diligence to verify Malimali’s qualifications, especially given that she was under investigation at the time of her appointment. He inquired if the COC had received her resignation letter from the Electoral Commission and whether she had fulfilled any required notice period.
He also highlighted a serious issue regarding the decision made by then Acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Puleiwai to refrain from pursuing formal charges against Biman Prasad, suggesting this might represent an abuse of office that necessitates an independent investigation, potentially led by the police.
Urging for strong governance principles, Usamate criticized comments from the Minister of Justice labeling investigations involving Cabinet Ministers as “acts of malice.” He questioned whether some individuals in the country are beyond scrutiny, invoking George Orwell’s assertion regarding equality among people.
Usamate concluded by reinforcing that good governance should be the cornerstone of a robust and effective government.