Former Deputy Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Francis Puleiwai, is reportedly “safe” to return to Fiji, according to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. At a press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Suva, Rabuka addressed concerns regarding Ms. Puleiwai’s safety, dismissing these worries as speculative and calling for a thorough investigation to validate her claims.
Rabuka stated, “It would not come from a Government that I lead,” and questioned who Ms. Puleiwai feared, expressing uncertainty over whether any complaints had been reported to the police. He expressed confidence in safety, adding, “If anyone is under the most threat, it’s me – and I have not felt any danger,” while pondering the reasons behind the presence of numerous bodyguards.
The controversy surrounding FICAC is linked to the appointment of Barbara Malimali as the new FICAC chief on September 5, a decision that has faced significant criticism. The Prime Minister reiterated that Ms. Puleiwai’s allegations remain unverified. “It’s speculation, it’s not been confirmed,” he asserted, stressing that her claims lack substantiation and have not been thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities.