The Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, has urged the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) to investigate the leak of a confidential letter that detailed proposed charges against Finance Minister Biman Prasad.
Dated September 5, the letter was sent to Mr. Turaga by former Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, Francis Puleiwai, and subsequently circulated widely on social media. The document indicated that FICAC had concluded its investigations and recommended charges against Mr. Prasad for not declaring all assets, income, and liabilities before the last General Election.
The leak occurred shortly after Barbara Malimali was controversially appointed as FICAC Commissioner on September 4, leading to the case being placed on hold. In an interview with Fiji Sun from Australia, Ms. Puleiwai criticized Mr. Turaga’s inquiries regarding the letter’s source, stating that the original letter is typically sent to the relevant individuals, while the office retains a copy printed on blue paper. She emphasized that the leaked letter, printed on white paper, was the one sent to the Minister for Justice, with copies also dispatched to the Attorney-General, the President, and the Judicial Service Commission.
Malimali’s appointment as FICAC Commissioner has been met with significant backlash since she was under investigation by FICAC at the time. In response to growing public concern, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to look into the circumstances of her appointment. A discussion regarding the COI’s scope and mandate is scheduled for Cabinet tomorrow.
However, the inquiry’s independence is in question due to some Cabinet members being under investigation by FICAC. Prime Minister Rabuka stated that the COI would investigate allegations of ministerial interference, the appointment process regarding Malimali, and any threats made against Ms. Puleiwai.
Former Prime Minister and leader of the Fiji Labour Party, Mahendra Chaudhry, expressed concerns over potential conflicts of interest if the Cabinet defines the COI’s terms of reference. He criticized Rabuka’s claim that the appointment process was lawful, arguing that it could mislead the public and bias the inquiry’s outcomes. Chaudhry highlighted the legitimacy issues surrounding Malimali’s appointment, given her prior investigation status, and called for additional support from Government officials to ensure Ms. Puleiwai’s safety should she return to Fiji for the inquiry.