Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica confirmed that he met with Francis Puleiwai, the acting deputy commissioner of FICAC, to inquire whether there were any reports against him. He emphasized that this meeting was not intended as interference or intimidation.
However, public sentiment raises concerns about the nature of intimidation in the post-Bainimarama era. Historical precedents, such as Bainimarama’s visits to ministers and court appearances in full military uniform, are cited as examples of overt intimidation. This leads to questions about whether intimidation today has taken on a more nuanced form, as suggested by Puleiwai’s comments during her interview with ABC.