Former Minister Lynda Tabuya recently testified before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), asserting she has had no formal interactions with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) since the 2022 Elections. This came in light of inquiries regarding her connection to Barbara Malimali, the current FICAC Commissioner, particularly concerning any influence over her appointment or actions.
Tabuya denied gifting sunglasses to Ms. Malimali, stating that such a gesture was directed to a mutual friend and occurred before any controversies surrounding Malimali’s appointment arose. She emphasized, “I had no role in discussions regarding Ms. Malimali’s appointment or attempts to influence the outcome.”
Their friendship, which lasted from 2009 to 2019, reportedly ended due to personal differences but remained cordial in professional interactions. Tabuya reiterated that she had not discussed Malimali’s appointment with her.
This testimony ties in with a series of developments surrounding FICAC’s procedures and recent cases, including the closure of a complaint against Tabuya regarding her alleged failure to disclose her spouse’s income. The FICAC clarified that its investigation, which concluded before Malimali took office, determined there was no basis for claims of political interference in the matter.
The importance of transparency and integrity within public offices has been underscored by the recent events and subsequent discussions. FICAC has consistently called for public figures to verify information prior to making statements about ongoing investigations. The assurance of impartiality demonstrated by FICAC in addressing allegations against its operations provides a hopeful outlook for maintaining trust in governmental oversight and anti-corruption measures.
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