A board of inquiry is set to be established to address the growing distrust surrounding the appointment of Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner Barbara Malimali. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced that the inquiry aims to uncover the issues that triggered the controversy.
Rabuka expressed concerns over the uncertainties tied to Malimali’s resignation from the Electoral Commission and her subsequent appointment as commissioner. He stressed the necessity of a thorough investigation to maintain the integrity of the process, labeling the matter surrounding Malimali’s appointment as “difficult.”
He stated that the inquiry would reveal the individuals involved in the management of her resignation from the Electoral Commission of Fiji and subsequent FICAC appointment. “Those involved will have to come forward and provide their explanations,” Rabuka said, emphasizing that if culpable actions were found, these must be pursued to the end.
The Prime Minister indicated that there had been delays in communicating Malimali’s resignation to his office, noting, “Somebody reacted very slowly upon receiving the important information, which should have promptly informed me as chair of the COC.”
He mentioned the need for clarity in the chronological events leading up to her resignation. Rabuka has already commenced the process of establishing the board of inquiry, examining the necessary regulations and legislation required for formation. “Once I have completed my review of the legal frameworks, I will initiate the setup of the inquiry to investigate all individuals involved in this complicated issue,” he stated.
Additionally, the chairman of the Constitutional Offices Commission expressed interest in the specifics surrounding Malimali’s resignation and the conditions leading to the departure of former FICAC deputy commissioner Francis Pulewai on September 5. He called for transparency regarding the appointments and resignations of these FICAC officials, as well as the ongoing investigations and allegations of interference, to bring the matter to light and eliminate the underlying issues.