The Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, has urged the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) to look into the leak of a confidential letter detailing proposed charges against Finance Minister Biman Prasad. The letter, dated September 5 and written by former Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, Francis Puleiwai, was circulated widely on social media.
The leaked document indicated that FICAC had finalized its investigations and recommended charges against Mr. Prasad for not fully declaring his assets, income, and liabilities before the last General Election. The leak occurred shortly after Barbara Malimali’s controversial appointment as FICAC Commissioner on September 4, leading to the case being paused.
In a statement to Fiji Sun from Australia, Ms. Puleiwai criticized Mr. Turaga’s inquiries regarding the letter’s leak. She explained that the original letter was sent to the involved parties, while a copy kept in the FICAC office is printed on blue paper. She clarified that the leaked document is the original white paper version sent to the Minister for Justice, with similar copies distributed to the Attorney-General, the President, and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), emphasizing that the commissioner did not have access to this letter.
Ms. Malimali’s appointment as FICAC Commissioner has raised significant concerns, as she was under investigation by FICAC during her selection. In response to public and media pressure, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding her appointment. Cabinet plans to discuss a document tomorrow pertaining to the COI’s scope and mandate. However, doubts have emerged regarding the inquiry’s independence due to ongoing investigations involving certain Cabinet members by FICAC.
Prime Minister Rabuka stated that the inquiry would investigate allegations of ministerial interference, the procedures related to Ms. Malimali’s appointment, and threats made against Ms. Puleiwai.
Former Prime Minister and Fiji Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest arising from Cabinet defining the COI’s terms of reference. He criticized Mr. Rabuka’s claim that the appointment process was lawful and involved the JSC, arguing that such statements could mislead the public and compromise the inquiry’s findings. Mr. Chaudhry raised questions about Ms. Malimali’s appointment, noting it remains problematic given her ongoing investigation at that time, which could undermine the legitimacy of the JSC’s decision. He added that although the Prime Minister assured Ms. Puleiwai of her safety if she returns to Fiji for the inquiry, broader support from government officials is necessary to ensure her protection.