The appointment of Barbara Malimali as the Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has been criticized by Senior Opposition MP Jone Usamate, who described the decision as inappropriate. While Usamate acknowledged his respect for Malimali, he emphasized the importance of having women in pivotal roles and expressed concern that transparency and accountability are being overlooked.
He questioned whether the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) consulted an independent team to assess candidates during her appointment process, highlighting the JSC’s responsibility to uphold public trust in independent bodies, even if it requires making unpopular choices. He noted that Malimali has been rated highly by Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo but raised concerns about her ongoing investigation, suggesting this should have led to a postponement of her appointment.
Furthermore, he inquired whether the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) confirmed Malimali’s resignation from her previous role as chair of the Electoral Commission and whether she fulfilled the necessary notice period before her new appointment. Usamate also demanded clarity on who instructed the Acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Puleiwai not to file charges against politician Biman Prasad, calling this a severe misuse of power that warrants an independent investigation, potentially by the Police.
He stressed that good governance is essential for a robust and effective government. Usamate referenced comments from the Minister of Justice, suggesting that investigations into Cabinet Ministers could be perceived as malicious, questioning whether some individuals in Fiji are above scrutiny. He concluded with a reminder that all officials should be equally accountable under the law.