Minister of Justice Siromi Turaga has stirred controversy within the Coalition Government by referring to the media coverage surrounding the FICAC (Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption) issue as an “obsession.” This comment came after Mr. Turaga was approached in Parliament last week for his views on the ongoing FICAC controversy.
When asked about the intense focus on the FICAC situation, Mr. Turaga responded, “What’s this obsession with this FICAC controversy?” He also dismissed allegations of ministerial interference in the matter.
The FICAC has been in the spotlight for several months, primarily due to the appointment of its commissioner, Barbara Malimali, who was under investigation by the agency at the time of her selection. Ms. Malimali was appointed by President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere based on a recommendation from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in consultation with government legal adviser Graham Leung. Both entities have defended the appointment process.
Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has been a vocal critic of the situation, urging Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to address the issue more promptly. Today, the Cabinet is scheduled to discuss the FICAC saga during a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister, focusing on the possibility of establishing a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to investigate the discrepancies related to this ongoing controversy.