Former Attorney-General Graham Leung has forcefully rejected the findings of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) that scrutinized the appointment of Barbara Malimali as the commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). At a recent press gathering, he labeled the allegations of collusion and misconduct as “absurd” and emphasized that he was never consulted by either the Solicitor-General, the Justice Minister, or the Deputy Prime Minister regarding Malimali’s appointment.
Leung clarified that his role in the process was limited to consultation as per the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Act of 2007, which does not require his approval, only a discussion. He pointed out that he merely signed the Judicial Services Commission form without endorsing Malimali, asserting, “I just signed off. End of story.”
Since the release of the COI’s report, which led to his dismissal by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Leung has been vocal about the lack of due process in the inquiry, noting that he had only seen leaked excerpts rather than an official copy of the report. He labeled the accusations against him as a result of idle social media gossip, stressing that the inquiry’s findings lacked substantiation and fairness.
Reflecting on the implications of such findings, he expressed concern that the inquiry’s perceived flaws could breed a climate of mistrust within the government. Despite the ongoing tumult, Leung’s defense highlights an opportunity for Fiji to enhance its governance frameworks and uphold greater transparency and accountability.
As Fiji navigates these challenging political waters, there is hope that this situation may spur necessary reforms that reinforce ethical standards in public office appointments, ultimately fostering a more reliable and accountable political structure.
Leave a comment