The situation concerning the FICAC remains unresolved, particularly regarding whether the institution’s newly appointed commissioner, Ms. Malimali, has stepped down from her role as chair of the Electoral Commission of Fiji.
The Judicial Services Commission, responsible for appointing the FICAC commissioner, released a statement last night detailing the appointment process but did not address Ms. Malimali’s status with the Electoral Commission.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed his uncertainty about whether Ms. Malimali had resigned from her position with the ECF. “Not that I know of,” he stated, adding that he had checked with the Attorney-General for clarification. The Prime Minister emphasized that Ms. Malimali cannot hold both positions simultaneously, noting the importance of a clear resolution.
In addition to the Prime Minister, opposition leader Inia Seruiratu criticized the apparent lack of coordination among government agencies regarding this issue. He raised concerns about the legality of holding two contracts at once and emphasized the need for properly following the resignation process.
Mr. Seruiratu has yet to address the issue directly with Prime Minister Rabuka, stating, “It is on the PM to show leadership on this.” The Prime Minister has sought further clarification from Attorney-General Graham Leung regarding the status of Ms. Malimali’s resignation from the Electoral Commission.
While Ms. Malimali has not made a statement, FICAC announced that her three-year appointment as commissioner took effect on September 5 and affirmed her commitment to carrying out her duties despite the ongoing situation. The announcement did confirm her role as chair of the ECF but did not specify when her resignation from that position occurred.