The Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, has requested that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) look into the leak of a confidential letter detailing proposed charges against Finance Minister Biman Prasad. The letter, dated September 5 and sent to Turaga by former Acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Puleiwai, was circulated widely on social media.
This leaked document revealed that FICAC had concluded its investigation and recommended charges against Prasad for not declaring all of his assets, income, and liabilities prior to the last General Election. The timing of the leak coincided with Barbara Malimali’s contentious appointment as FICAC Commissioner on September 4, leading to the subsequent suspension of the case.
In a statement to Fiji Sun from Australia, Puleiwai criticized Turaga’s inquiry into the source of the leak. She pointed out that FICAC typically sends original letters to the individuals involved, while the copies kept in the office are printed on blue paper. She clarified that the leaked letter was the original, printed on white paper, which was sent to Turaga, and copies were also distributed to the Attorney-General, the President, and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Malimali’s appointment as FICAC Commissioner has raised serious concerns, especially since she was under investigation by FICAC at the time of her appointment. In response to the public outcry, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to assess the situation surrounding her appointment. Discussions regarding the scope and mandate of the COI will take place at a Cabinet meeting tomorrow.
Nevertheless, there are apprehensions regarding the independence of the inquiry due to the involvement of certain Cabinet members who are also under investigation by FICAC. Rabuka stated that the inquiry will look into allegations of ministerial interference, the appointment process for Malimali, and threats made against Puleiwai.
Concerns have also been raised by former Prime Minister and Fiji Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, about potential conflicts of interest in having the Cabinet define 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 interfere with the inquiry’s findings. Chaudhry emphasized that questions linger regarding the legitimacy of Malimali’s appointment, given her ongoing investigation, complicating the JSC’s decision.
Furthermore, while Rabuka has assured Puleiwai of her safety if she returns to Fiji for the inquiry, Chaudhry noted that more robust support from government officials is essential to guarantee her protection.