Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has stated that Prime Minister’s decision to establish a board of inquiry into the Barbara Malimali situation is the appropriate course of action, given the information circulating publicly.
“Although the PM acknowledged receiving Barbara Malimali’s resignation letter on September 14, the actual procedures that either party will follow remain unclear to many of us,” Mr. Seruiratu commented.
He pointed out that the timeline suggests she resigned on September 3, met with FICAC staff the following day, and officially took on the role of FICAC Commissioner on September 5.
“This raises the question of whether this is standard procedure in accordance with her contract as chair of the Electoral Commission. An inquiry will address these concerns,” he added.
In a separate statement, Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry accused the PM and President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere of being aware of Ms. Malimali’s FICAC investigation prior to her being appointed as Commissioner.
He claimed that they received a letter from FICAC on August 30, which informed them of an investigation into Ms. Malimali for alleged abuse of office.
Mr. Chaudhry suggested that Ms. Malimali’s appointment was “politically motivated to prevent Ministers from facing charges and being investigated.”
“Any obstruction of the proper legal process regarding these documented cases would further erode trust in our law enforcement agencies and the Rabuka government,” he said.
“There is too much questionable conduct here, and I urge the Prime Minister to act with integrity and prioritize the truth above all else.”