Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka indicated that he is prepared to demote his Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Biman Prasad to a backbench position if he is charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Prasad is currently under investigation by FICAC for allegedly failing to declare all his assets, income, and liabilities before the last election.
Rabuka referred to a previous decision involving the former Minister for Fisheries, Kalaveti Ravu, who was moved to the backbench after facing similar circumstances. He stated, “That is the standing procedure with me, and Professor Biman Prasad had already briefed me on the possibility.”
Concerning Prasad’s situation, Rabuka noted that they had not been informed of any arrest before the media reported it. “As soon as he is arrested, it will come to me, and when he is charged, he will have to adhere to the laws,” he explained.
Prasad, for his part, has said that the matter is in the hands of his lawyer and he refrained from making further remarks. He emphasized that his legal representatives have been involved from the start and believe there is no merit to the allegations against him.
The newly appointed FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali, was contacted by Fiji Sun to inquire whether she would review the charges against Mr. Prasad, but she had not responded at the time this article was published. Malimali is the second individual to hold this significant role, following Rashmi Aslam, who was the first Commissioner since FICAC was established in 2007. Aslam took office in 2012.