Former Prime Minister and leader of the Fiji Labour Party, Mahendra Chaudhry, has alleged that several Ministers currently under investigation by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for submitting false declarations to the Registrar of Political Parties and for corrupt activities are attempting to influence the process for appointing a new Commissioner for FICAC.
Chaudhry stated that these Ministers seek to evade prosecution by pushing for the appointment of a Commissioner of their choosing, which would remove the authority from Acting Assistant Commissioner Francis Puleiwai.
He also mentioned previous reports suggesting that Barbara Malimali, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, might have intervened in the Registrar’s decision to report the Ministers to FICAC.
“A report regarding Malimali was filed and acknowledged by FICAC, and we believe it is currently under investigation,” Chaudhry noted. “We are concerned that FICAC, under Puleiwai, is facing considerable pressure regarding its inquiries into these Ministers. Furthermore, we have been informed that Malimali may have expressed interest in the FICAC Commissioner position, raising questions about her suitability for consideration.”