Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has acknowledged that his Government has been slow in fulfilling its election promise to amend the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Act. In a recent interview at his residence, he explained that the delays have primarily resulted from a lack of drafting capacity within the Office of the Solicitor-General. This review of FICAC is a key component of the People’s Alliance party manifesto, which Mr. Rabuka reiterated during the conversation.
“We had that (review of FICAC) as part of our manifesto, and we acknowledge it is slow — our drafting of Bills for the amendment of the FICAC Act has taken time,” he stated. However, he added that amendments can now be made following a Supreme Court opinion that was sought by his Government regarding a constitutional question related to the Act.
The Prime Minister’s comments come at a time when FICAC is under renewed scrutiny, with past allegations of it being weaponized against political adversaries. A report from March indicated that the Attorney-General’s Office is in the process of reviewing or amending at least 40 laws, including FICAC’s framework. However, the progress in these legal amendments is hampered by a shortage of qualified drafters.
Rabuka’s commitment to reviewing FICAC aligns with broader efforts to enhance transparency and accountability within governance structures. This sentiment resonates with previous statements made by Mr. Rabuka, who has also emphasized the importance of examining the operational challenges faced by enforcement agencies, particularly those involved in investigations. The review of FICAC and the planned amendments to the 2013 Constitution, as he assured voters, will proceed but must follow the proper legal channels.
This situation presents not only a challenge but also an opportunity for the government to improve public trust through reform and greater transparency. As the Prime Minister works on these commitments, the hope remains that such measures will lead to more accountable governance and a strengthening of democratic institutions in Fiji.
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