Fiji’s Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, has urged the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) to investigate the unauthorized disclosure of a confidential letter that details proposed charges against Finance Minister Biman Prasad. The letter, dated September 5, was sent by former Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, Francis Puleiwai, and has circulated broadly on social media.
The contents of the leaked letter indicate that FICAC had concluded its investigations and recommended charges against Prasad for not declaring all his assets, income, and liabilities prior to the last General Election. The leak occurred shortly after Barbara Malimali’s contentious appointment as FICAC Commissioner on September 4, and the investigation regarding Prasad has since been suspended.
In an interview with Fiji Sun from Australia, Puleiwai expressed dissatisfaction with Turaga’s inquiry regarding the source of the leak. She highlighted that the original letter was sent to the relevant officials and noted that it was printed on white paper, while office copies are kept on blue paper. Puleiwai clarified that copies of the original letter were also sent to the Attorney-General, the President, and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), while the commissioner does not have access to this letter.
Malimali’s appointment has drawn scrutiny, as she was under investigation by FICAC at the time. In light of public and media backlash, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to assess the circumstances surrounding her appointment. The Cabinet is set to review a document discussing the COI’s scope and mandate.
Concerns persist regarding the independence of the inquiry, particularly since some Cabinet members are currently under FICAC investigation. Rabuka stated that the inquiry would focus on allegations of ministerial interference, the selection process for Malimali’s role, and threats directed at Puleiwai.
Former Prime Minister and leader of the Fiji Labour Party, Mahendra Chaudhry, expressed his apprehensions about potential conflicts of interest in allowing the Cabinet to establish the COI’s terms of reference. He criticized Rabuka’s claim that the appointment process was lawful and involved the JSC, arguing that such statements could mislead the public and influence the inquiry’s results.
Chaudhry raised further concerns regarding the legitimacy of Malimali’s appointment, especially given her ongoing investigation at the time. He emphasized that while the Prime Minister has promised to ensure Puleiwai’s safety should she return to Fiji for the inquiry, it is crucial for broader government support to safeguard her.