Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has revealed that the public release of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report concerning the appointment of Barbara Malimali as Fiji’s FICAC Commissioner remains undecided and will hinge on the President’s judgement. Speaking about the report, which encompasses over 400 pages, Mr. Rabuka indicated that its future disclosure is currently under review.
He stated, “Is there any strong cause for COI to be made public? That will depend on the decision made by His Excellency. I make the recommendation to him, and we will follow what is stipulated in the Commission of Inquiry Act.” This highlights the protocol followed in such matters, emphasizing the importance of careful consideration before any public announcement is made.
Janet Mason, Counsel assisting the Commission, has appealed to the public for patience as the intricate nature of the report demands thorough attention. “I just wanted to say one thing… please don’t associate the time taken with the decision about whether the report will be made public,” she advised.
Moreover, Justice David Ashton-Lewis, the Commissioner, expressed a personal belief that the report will eventually see the light of day, urging the public to remain patient. “You’ve been patient for the past six months, so it won’t hurt to be a little bit more patient,” he added.
This inquiry is of significant consequence to Fiji’s political landscape, not only as it navigates the complex appointment process of high-level officials but also as it seeks to bolster governance and accountability. The findings may lead to reforms crucial for restoring public confidence in governmental operations.
Overall, the ongoing inquiry and the anticipation surrounding the report reflect a hopeful trajectory towards improving transparency and ethical governance in Fiji, which many citizens look forward to. The commitment displayed by the inquiry emphasizes a collective effort to ensure institutional integrity, potentially paving the way for deeper trust in public service.
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