Former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has called for the President to publicly disclose the recommendations of the Tribunal regarding the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He pointed out that the Fijian Constitution, specifically Section 112 (6), mandates that reports from independent Tribunals established by the President concerning alleged misconduct must be made public.
Sayed-Khaiyum emphasized that this requirement is clear and unambiguous. He noted that according to Section 112(3)(c), the President is obliged to act based on the Tribunal’s advice once it is appointed, and does not possess discretionary powers in this situation.
He asserted that the President cannot unilaterally decide on the course of action or seek interpretations from third parties regarding the report. Instead, the President is obligated to follow the directives laid out in the Constitution.
The former Attorney General contended that this obligation includes not only releasing the report to the suspended DPP but also ensuring it is communicated to the media and made available in public forums. He argued that this provision promotes transparency, safeguards the independence of the judicial process, and fosters public trust in the integrity of the Tribunal’s operations, free from interference.
Furthermore, he indicated that adherence to these constitutional principles protects the integrity of the Presidential office and avoids the potential for problematic entanglements.
This situation highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, reinforcing the notion that actions taken by public officials should be accessible to citizens, fostering a healthier democracy.
In summary, the former Attorney General is advocating for a commitment to constitutional mandates that promote transparency in governance, emphasizing that the President has a clear duty to disclose the Tribunal’s findings on the suspended DPP.
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