A petition aimed at removing Barbara Malimali from her position as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has gained over 100 signatures.
Initiated by Alexandra Forwood on change.org, the petition seeks to persuade Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to meet with President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere to discuss terminating Malimali’s appointment. Forwood alleges that Malimali’s appointment was surrounded by questionable circumstances, highlighting that she was under investigation by FICAC before taking on the role of chief.
Forwood has also suggested that Malimali should face charges for alleged abuse of office. “We humbly request you to sign our petition,” Forwood stated.
In response, Malimali expressed that people are free to voice their opinions about her appointment, noting the importance of freedom of expression in the country.
The push for change in leadership at FICAC has received backing from political figures such as Savenaca Narube and former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, both of whom have criticized Malimali’s position and called on Rabuka to address the perceived “abuse of power” now associated with FICAC.
At the heart of this controversy is a leaked FICAC letter detailing charges against Minister for Finance Biman Prasad. Prasad was expected to be charged two weeks ago for allegedly failing to declare all his assets, income, and liabilities prior to the last election, coinciding with Malimali’s recent appointment.
Francis Puleiwai, the Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC currently in Australia, described the delay in Prasad’s charges as “sad.”
Forwood, who is originally from Fiji and now resides in Australia, has been an outspoken advocate on various political issues related to Fiji. Her adoptive father spent over 40 years in Fiji and was married to an iTaukei woman.