The Opposition is pressing the Fijian Government to make public the complete report from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) regarding the appointment of Barbara Malimali as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu emphasized the necessity of transparency, stating that all citizens should have unrestricted access to the information that guides governance.
Seruiratu warned that failing to release the report could damage public trust and hinder the nation’s progress. He noted that the disclosure of the report is vital for reinforcing public confidence, especially with forthcoming legislative reforms such as the Code of Conduct Bill and the Transparency Bill. He described this as a crucial moment for the Government to prove its commitment to openness, suggesting that the release of the report would underscore a true dedication to transparency and integrity.
Echoing these sentiments, Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry urged Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to act on the key recommendations of the report if he is genuinely interested in restoring integrity to his government. Chaudhry pointed out that the Prime Minister has had two weeks to analyze the extensive 400-page report and insisted that it is important for the nation to be informed on the matter.
As calls for transparency intensify, the public waits expectantly for clarity on the report’s findings. The hope is that the inquiry will lead to effective reforms that bolster public trust in government operations, highlighting a collective aspiration for ethical governance in Fiji. The urgency from both opposition leaders underscores the critical importance of openness in ensuring strong democratic principles in the country.
The political landscape in Fiji thus appears to be at a pivotal moment, with many citizens hopeful that the inquiry’s findings will lead to substantive changes aimed at enhancing accountability and integrity within public institutions.
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