The appointment of Barbara Malimali as the Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has been criticized as inappropriate by Senior Opposition Member of Parliament Jone Usamate. While he stated that he has no personal issues with Ms. Malimali and supports female leadership in significant roles, he expressed concern over the lack of transparency and accountability in the appointment process.
Usamate questioned whether the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) engaged an independent team to review applications for the position, which is necessary to ensure that qualified candidates are selected. He noted that maintaining public trust in independent institutions is the JSC’s responsibility, even if it comes at the expense of their interests. Although Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo remarked that Ms. Malimali achieved the highest score in her evaluations, Usamate insisted that due diligence should have been conducted to confirm her suitability.
He highlighted that Ms. Malimali was under investigation, which should have led the JSC and the President’s Office to postpone her appointment. Usamate raised questions about whether the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) received her resignation from the Electoral Commission and if she had fulfilled the necessary notice period for her resignation.
Further complicating the matter, he demanded clarity on who instructed Acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Puleiwai not to pursue formal charges against Biman Prasad, labeling this as a serious misuse of office that warrants an independent investigation, potentially led by the police.
Usamate emphasized the importance of good governance as the foundation of a strong and effective government in Fiji. He also criticized comments made by the Minister of Justice regarding investigations into Cabinet Ministers that suggested these were “acts of malice.” He questioned whether there are certain groups that are above investigation, drawing parallels to the notion of inequality expressed by George Orwell.