Yesterday marked a significant day in Fiji as it started with the arrest of Barbara Malimali, the newly appointed commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), and concluded with the unexpected resignation of acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Puleiwai.
The controversy around Malimali’s appointment escalated when Puleiwai informed the media about a raid that took place at the Electoral Commission office on Tuesday. At the time of the raid and the announcement of Malimali’s new role at FICAC, there had been no official word about her resignation as Electoral Commissioner.
Tensions rose further when FICAC confirmed the arrest of Malimali, leading Attorney-General Graham Leung to hold a press conference where he expressed his worries regarding the situation. He pointed out the unusual circumstance where someone who had applied for the commissioner role was involved in the arrest, urging the media to “do the math” themselves regarding the implications. He also indicated that FICAC requires a “reset” due to concerns about its substantial budget and questions regarding its impartiality.
The FICAC commissioner is appointed by the President based on the recommendations of the Judicial Services Commission.