Justice Minister Siromi Turaga has urged the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) to look into the leak of a confidential letter detailing proposed charges against Finance Minister Biman Prasad. The letter, dated September 5 and written by former Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, Francis Puleiwai, has circulated widely on social media.
According to the leaked document, FICAC completed investigations and recommended charges against Prasad for not declaring all of his assets, income, and liabilities before the last General Election. This leak came shortly after Barbara Malimali’s controversial appointment as FICAC Commissioner on September 4, which has led to a pause in the case.
In an interview with Fiji Sun from Australia, Ms. Puleiwai criticized Turaga’s inquiry about the letter’s leak. She pointed out that FICAC’s process involves sending original letters to the individuals concerned while retaining copies printed on blue paper in their office. The leaked document was the original version, printed on white paper, and sent to the Minister for Justice, with other copies sent to the Attorney-General, the President, and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). Puleiwai emphasized that the Commissioner was not privy to this document.
Malimali’s appointment as FICAC Commissioner has raised significant concerns, as she was under investigation by FICAC at the time of her appointment. Following scrutiny from the public and media, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to investigate the circumstances of her appointment. The Cabinet is scheduled to discuss the COI’s scope and mandate.
However, there are worries regarding the COI’s independence, especially since some Cabinet members are under investigation by FICAC themselves. Rabuka stated that the inquiry will look into allegations of ministerial interference, the process behind Malimali’s appointment, and threats made to Puleiwai.
Former Prime Minister and Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry expressed his concerns about potential conflicts of interest if the Cabinet defines the COI’s terms of reference. He criticized Rabuka for claiming that the appointment process was lawful and involved the JSC, asserting that these statements could mislead the public and preempt the inquiry’s findings.
Chaudhry raised questions about Malimali’s appointment, particularly given that she was under investigation at the time, which complicates the legitimacy of the JSC’s decision. He also highlighted the need for broader government support to ensure Puleiwai’s safety if she returns to Fiji for the inquiry, despite the Prime Minister’s assurances.