Fiji’s Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, has urged the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) to investigate the leakage of a confidential letter detailing proposed charges against Finance Minister Biman Prasad. The letter, dated September 5 and sent to Turaga by the former Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, Francis Puleiwai, has been widely shared on social media.
The leaked correspondence indicated that FICAC had concluded its investigation and recommended charges against Prasad for not disclosing all assets, income, and liabilities prior to the last General Election. This incident coincided with the controversial appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner on September 4, leading to the suspension of the case.
In comments made to Fiji Sun from Australia, Puleiwai expressed criticism towards Turaga’s reaction to the leak. “It is amusing that Mr. Turaga is questioning who leaked the letter,” she stated. She explained that FICAC’s procedure involves sending the original letter to the individuals it addresses, while copies retained in the office are printed on blue paper. The leaked document was the original, printed on white paper, which had been sent to the Minister for Justice, with copies also provided to the Attorney-General, the President, and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). She noted that the commissioner was not privy to this letter.
Malimali’s appointment as FICAC Commissioner has ignited significant controversy due to the fact that she was under investigation by FICAC at the time. In response to public outcry, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has initiated a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to look into the details surrounding her appointment. A Cabinet meeting is scheduled to discuss the COI’s scope and mandate.
However, there are concerns regarding the independence of the inquiry, particularly since some Cabinet members are also subjects of FICAC investigations. Prime Minister Rabuka indicated that the inquiry would address allegations of ministerial interference, the processes involved in Malimali’s appointment, and claims of threats directed at Puleiwai.
Former Prime Minister and leader of the Fiji Labour Party, Mahendra Chaudhry, raised alarms about potential conflicts of interest that could arise from having the Cabinet define the COI’s terms of reference. He criticized Rabuka’s claims that the appointment process was lawful and involved the JSC, cautioning that such assertions could misinform the public and potentially influence the inquiry’s outcomes.
“Questions persist about Ms. Malimali’s appointment, especially since she was under investigation when the decision was made, raising doubts about the legitimacy of the JSC’s determination,” Chaudhry commented. He also emphasized the necessity for broader government support to ensure the safety of Ms. Puleiwai should she return to Fiji for the inquiry.