Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has raised questions regarding the absence of a resignation letter from Barbara Malimali, the Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). He expressed his concerns to the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) secretariat, noting that they had not yet received the letter indicating her resignation as chair of the Electoral Commission of Fiji. Rabuka emphasized that the COC should have notified its members out of courtesy.
In related news, during the opening of the People’s Alliance Party’s assembly in Lautoka, Prime Minister Rabuka addressed the party’s inability to fulfill all its 2022 election promises. He attributed this to the power-sharing arrangement between the party and its coalition partners, stating that without a majority, the party found it challenging to implement its commitments. He indicated that for the party to deliver on its promises, it must secure a dominant position in future elections, expressing his interest in running for the 2026 general elections, with final decisions to be made by party members and executives.
Additionally, Assistant Minister Sakiusa Tubuna has highlighted the potential dangers of excessive kava consumption as a contributing factor to fatal road accidents. Although traditionally associated with alcohol, Tubuna pointed out that kava can impair cognitive and motor functions, which could jeopardize road safety. He acknowledged that while there is limited data on the link between kava and accidents, there have been instances where excessive kava drinking has been involved in fatal incidents.
In discussions regarding the annual reports submitted to the parliamentary standing committee, Tubuna emphasized the need for more attention on the effects of kava on road safety, especially for long-distance drivers. Supporting this viewpoint, Maritino Nemani, executive chair of the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji, stressed the importance of updating regulations to include kava alongside alcohol in discussions about road safety. This development calls for a broader understanding of the substances that can impair driving abilities, challenging the traditional perception of kava as a less hazardous substance than alcohol.