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 initiated by Alexandra Forwood on change.org, who is urging Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to meet with President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere to discuss terminating Ms. Malimali’s appointment. Forwood alleges that Malimali’s appointment was under questionable circumstances, highlighting that she was under investigation by FICAC prior to becoming its chief. Furthermore, Forwood suggests that Malimali should face charges for alleged abuse of office.
“We humbly request you to sign our petition,” Forwood stated.
In response to the petition, Malimali indicated that opinions on her appointment are welcome and recognized the country’s freedom of expression.
Notably, Forwood’s push for a change in leadership at FICAC has received backing from influential political figures, including former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and Savenaca Narube, who have criticized Malimali’s appointment and called on Rabuka to address what they describe as an “abuse of power” associated with FICAC.
At the center of this issue is a leaked FICAC letter detailing charges against Finance Minister Biman Prasad, who was expected to be charged two weeks ago for not declaring all his assets, income, and liabilities before the last election, just as Malimali assumed her role as FICAC Commissioner.
Francis Puleiwai, acting deputy commissioner of FICAC, who is currently in Australia, described the delay in filing charges against Prasad as “sad.”
Forwood, the petition’s creator, 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 a local iTaukei woman. She has been active in voicing her views on Fijian political matters.