Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has indicated that he would not hesitate to demote Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Biman Prasad to the backbench if he faces charges from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Prasad is currently under investigation by FICAC for allegedly failing to declare all of his assets, income, and liabilities prior to the last election. Rabuka noted that he had previously set a precedent when he demoted former Minister for Fisheries Kalaveti Ravu to the backbench.
Francis Puleiwai, the former Deputy FICAC Commissioner, unexpectedly resigned on Thursday, the same day he approved Prasad’s arrest. Rabuka confirmed that Prasad had briefed him about the situation and reiterated that he would follow the legal procedures in the event of an arrest and subsequent charges.
Mr. Prasad stated that the issue was now with his legal team and declined to comment further, expressing confidence that his lawyers had communicated effectively with FICAC and arguing that there is no foundation for the allegations.
The newly appointed FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali, was contacted for clarification on whether she would reevaluate Prasad’s situation, but she had not responded by the time this edition went to press. Malimali is the second individual to hold this significant post, with Rashmi Aslam being the first since the commission’s establishment in 2007.