The recent appointment of Barbara Malimali as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has raised concerns among opposition members. Senior MP Jone Usamate criticized this decision, expressing that it feels inappropriate, despite having no personal grievances against Malimali. He emphasized the importance of appointing women to significant roles but questioned the integrity of the selection process.
Usamate noted that transparency and accountability appear to have been overlooked, arguing that the principles of good governance are being disregarded. He referenced the Constitutional Offices Commission’s reliance on an independent review team for candidate selection, raising questions about whether the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) followed a similar process in Malimali’s case.
He urged the JSC to uphold public trust in independent institutions, stating that it may have been better to delay Malimali’s appointment due to her ongoing investigation. Additionally, he questioned if the Office of the President conducted thorough due diligence regarding her qualifications.
Usamate further inquired whether the Constitutional Offices Commission had received Malimali’s resignation from her role with the Electoral Commission and if she fulfilled the necessary notice period before her new appointment. He also highlighted the need for clarity regarding who instructed Acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Puleiwai not to pursue formal charges against Biman Prasad, calling it a serious abuse of office warranting an immediate independent investigation.
He concluded by asserting the importance of good governance as a fundamental element of a strong government and expressed concern over remarks made by the Minister of Justice, which suggested investigations into Cabinet Ministers were seen as “acts of malice.” Usamate questioned whether there are individuals in Fiji who are above scrutiny, invoking George Orwell’s notion of inequality among perceived equals.