The Fiji Labour Party has criticized Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for publicly commenting on the legitimacy of Barbara Malimali’s appointment as FICAC Commissioner before an inquiry takes place. The party asserted that her appointment was unlawful, as she was under investigation by FICAC at that time, and contended that the Judicial Services Commission made a mistake by appointing her without her being cleared by FICAC.
FLP Leader Mahendra Chaudhry expressed that the assertion that her appointment followed the law is misleading. He raised concerns regarding the manner in which Malimali was appointed and questioned the motives behind the decision, along with the subsequent resignation of Francis Puleiwai as Deputy Commissioner.
Chaudhry accused the timing of Malimali’s appointment of being an attempt to disrupt the operations of an independent authority and to obstruct the imminent arrest of Professor Biman Prasad, who faces multiple allegations of submitting false financial information to the Registrar of Political Parties.
Furthermore, Chaudhry voiced apprehension about the Prime Minister’s intention to discuss the terms of reference and appointment of the proposed inquiry in the Cabinet next Tuesday, pointing out that several Cabinet Ministers are under FICAC investigation due to complaints from the Registrar of Political Parties, creating a significant conflict of interest.
He questioned whether these ministers should have the authority to set the inquiry’s terms of reference and influence appointments to it. The FLP noted the Prime Minister’s assurance for Puleiwai’s return to Fiji for the inquiry, but Chaudhry reminded that the Prime Minister cannot guarantee her participation without the support of his ministers and other relevant governmental bodies involved in the matter.