Francis Puleiwai, the former acting deputy commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), has disclosed that she relocated to Australia for her safety due to receiving threats following her resignation. In an interview with ABC News Australia, Puleiwai stated that she began receiving threats after resigning from her position on September 5.
“I left Fiji on September 7 early in the morning,” she revealed. The decision to leave was influenced by disturbing information she received shortly after her resignation from the Judicial Services Commission, effective immediately.
Despite her deep ties to Fiji, where she was born and raised, Puleiwai initially took the threats lightly. However, she expressed concern for her family, particularly her children, regarding their safety. She added that her house had been broken into, heightening her anxiety.
“We had a break-in that happened into our house as well,” she mentioned. The thought of her family’s safety weighed heavily on her mind. With her husband’s support and awareness of the threat, they decided it was best for her to go to Australia first, especially since she had a three-year visa.
While preparing to leave, they noticed that the tire of their vehicle had been punctured, later confirmed to be slashed after they checked it the following morning. Puleiwai noted that this incident added to her concerns.
Moreover, she claimed to have received indirect warnings discouraging her from commenting on the appointment of FICAC commissioner Barbara Malimali. Although she downplayed the severity of these threats, her husband, with his military background, advocated for caution regarding her safety.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General Graham Leung stated that he was unaware of any threats directed at Puleiwai following her resignation.