Former Prime Minister and leader of the Fiji Labour Party, Mahendra Chaudhry, has alleged that the recent appointment of Barbara Malimali as the Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) was influenced by political motives.
In his statement, Chaudhry suggested that the appointment aimed to prevent investigations against Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Biman Prasad, as well as to shield other ministers with pending complaints against them reported to FICAC.
Chaudhry expressed that both the President and Prime Minister Rabuka were likely aware that Malimali was under investigation by FICAC prior to her appointment. He referenced documents indicating that FICAC had informed the President and the Prime Minister about the investigation into Malimali for alleged abuse of office on August 30. According to Chaudhry, the President’s office responded on September 3, stating he would seek legal advice on the matter, while the Prime Minister acknowledged the receipt of the communication.
Notably, Chaudhry pointed out that Malimali was appointed as Commissioner on September 4, a decision he claims was made despite the fact that the authorities were aware of the ongoing investigation. He argued that it would be reasonable for the President to have consulted with the Attorney General regarding the investigation before approving the appointment.
Chaudhry characterized these developments as a strategic political maneuver to obscure the truth surrounding Malimali’s appointment from the public. He criticized the attempts to divert attention from the issue with unrelated information and emphasized that this situation should not be ignored or overlooked to protect those involved.
He stated, “The integrity of the Judicial Service Commission, the Attorney General’s office, along with that of the President and Prime Minister, is now at stake.” Furthermore, he called for Malimali to resign from her position until the allegations against her have been thoroughly investigated and the findings publicly disclosed.
Chaudhry also highlighted that Malimali had been arrested by FICAC and was expected to face charges, which were halted after the resignation of acting Deputy Commissioner Francis Puleiwai, who was overseeing the inquiry. He noted that the investigations regarding Finance Minister Biman Prasad related to allegedly false financial declarations were near completion and that charges were pending at the time the investigation was abruptly stopped.
He questioned the rationale behind halting the cases and expressed concern about the implications of appointing a minister facing potential charges to lead Fiji’s COP 29 delegation in Azerbaijan in November. Additionally, he inquired about the status of investigations into seven other Cabinet ministers referred to FICAC by the Registrar of Political Parties.
Chaudhry cautioned that any obstruction of justice related to these cases could further erode public confidence in law enforcement and the Rabuka Government. He urged the Prime Minister to prioritize the truth and uphold the principle that all individuals are equal under the law.