The main headline in The Fiji Times on Thursday, September 5, highlights the appointment of Barbara Malimali as the new Commissioner for the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Although her appointment has not yet been publicly announced, FICAC has confirmed that staff are aware of the changes.
FICAC also conducted a raid at the Electoral Commission office on Tuesday in connection with a complaint against Malimali. When questioned, FICAC’s acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Puleiwai confirmed that she had applied for the position but was not selected.
In other news, the tourism sector in Fiji is poised for significant growth, projecting it will become a $4 billion industry with over one million annual visitors by 2027. Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, spoke about these expectations during a recent forum in Suva, highlighting the opening of new routes by Fiji Airways that could bring an influx of visitors from the United States, Europe, and South America.
Additionally, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has called for stricter enforcement of the Litter Act 2008, addressing the need for a thorough review to protect Fiji’s ecosystems. In a parliamentary session, he noted the concerning habits of some citizens regarding littering. He emphasized that increasing the penalties for littering is crucial as the current fine of $40 is inadequate regardless of the severity of the littering offense.
Rabuka shared that while progress has been made, including the training of litter prevention officers, the Litter Act itself requires updates to improve enforcement capabilities. He lamented the littering habits observed in public spaces, especially during events like the ongoing Hibiscus Festival, and urged for a collective effort to maintain cleanliness in the environment. The Prime Minister’s initiative aims to draw attention to this growing concern.