Political party leaders have urged Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to provide personal assurances to former FICAC acting deputy commissioner Francis Puleiwai regarding her safety. Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube emphasized that Ms. Puleiwai should not be placed in a situation where she feels endangered.
Supporting Narube’s stance, Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry highlighted that while Prime Minister Rabuka has the ability to ensure her safety, he must also gain support from his fellow ministers and government agencies. “He alone cannot offer that assurance unless he is backed by other arms of government,” Chaudhry remarked. He also stressed the importance of discussing with Ms. Puleiwai to understand her concerns and preferences regarding her situation.
Chaudhry pointed out that there are issues surrounding Ms. Puleiwai’s appointment and her ongoing investigations into seven Cabinet ministers reported to FICAC by the Supervisor of Elections. Narube noted the distinction between the safety of the nation and the safety of whistleblowers, insisting that Ms. Puleiwai should be reassured of her security if she chooses to return.
Chaudhry further asserted that the safety of whistleblowers has not been guaranteed in past years, leading to a pervasive sense of insecurity. “FICAC had been used to target government critics, and there are signs of this trend resurfacing with the Coalition Government despite promises of change,” he stated. He also criticized Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica’s conversations with Ms. Puleiwai about his own case, calling it unaddressing.
Both leaders concurred on the necessity for a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to ensure that all individuals involved in the ongoing issues are thoroughly questioned. Narube insisted that the COI and its operators must take action and that the outcomes of the inquiry should be made public for the sake of transparency.