The Public Service Commission (PSC) has retracted the nomination of Pita Wise for the role of Head of Mission in Japan. PSC chairperson Luke Rokovada announced last night that the withdrawal was made at the discretion of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
Wise had previously resigned from his position as permanent secretary on September 25, citing personal reasons. Prime Minister Rabuka confirmed that his office had received a sexual harassment allegation against Wise, which was subsequently forwarded to the PSC.
Wise was expected to take over from Filimone Waqabaca, who is set to become the head of the Fiji Development Bank. Last Friday, the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement urged the Coalition Government and Prime Minister Rabuka to rescind Wise’s nomination for the post of Fiji’s Ambassador to Japan.
Wise had served as permanent secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister since January and had held various permanent secretary roles in past administrations.