A petition calling for the removal of Barbara Malimali from her position as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has attracted over 100 signatures.
The petition was started by Alexandra Forwood on change.org, with the aim of encouraging Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to discuss Ms. Malimali’s termination with President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. Forwood contends that Malimali’s appointment was mired in questionable circumstances, citing that she was under investigation by FICAC prior to her becoming its chief and calling for her to face charges for alleged abuse of office.
“We humbly request you sign our petition,” Forwood stated.
In response, Malimali remarked that it is reasonable for individuals to express their opinions about her appointment in a free country. The call for her dismissal is gaining traction among political figures as well, with influential leaders like Savenaca Narube and former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry expressing strong disapproval of her appointment and calling for action against what they describe as ‘abuse of power’ within FICAC.
A key issue at the center of this dispute is a leaked FICAC letter concerning charges against Finance Minister Biman Prasad. Prasad was expected to face charges two weeks ago over allegations of not fully disclosing his assets, income, and liabilities before the recent election, just as Malimali was appointed as the new FICAC Commissioner. Francis Puleiwai, the Acting Deputy Commissioner of FICAC, who is currently in Australia, has deemed the delay in filing these charges as “sad.”
Forwood, the petitioner, is a former resident of Fiji who now resides in Australia. Her adoptive father lived and worked in Fiji for over 40 years and married an iTaukei woman. She has been an outspoken advocate for political issues concerning Fiji.