The recent appointment of Barbara Malimali as the Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has drawn criticism from Senior Opposition Member of Parliament Jone Usamate, who believes the decision is inappropriate. While Usamate holds no personal animosity towards Malimali and advocates for women’s representation in significant roles, he expressed concerns regarding the lack of transparency and accountability associated with the appointment.
Usamate highlighted that when the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) makes such decisions, it relies on an independent team to review applications, ensuring the selection of the most suitable candidates. He raised questions about whether the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) utilized a similar process for Malimali’s selection.
Furthermore, Usamate urged the JSC to uphold public confidence in independent institutions, even at the risk of prioritizing their own interests. He noted that while Malimali might be qualified—having received the highest score during evaluations—her prior investigation raises concerns regarding her suitability for the position.
The Opposition member also questioned whether the Office of the President conducted adequate due diligence prior to the appointment and whether Malimali had formally resigned from her previous role as chair of the Electoral Commission. He called attention to a situation involving Acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Puleiwai, asserting the need for an independent investigation into why formal charges were not pursued against Biman Prasad.
Usamate emphasized that good governance is essential for a robust and effective government. He criticized the Justice Minister’s comments in the Fiji Sun regarding investigations into Cabinet Ministers, questioning whether certain individuals are above scrutiny, reminiscent of George Orwell’s notion of unequal equality.
He concluded by calling for immediate action on the matter, stressing the importance of accountability within government institutions.