‘COI Drama Very Concerning’

The ongoing Commission of Inquiry (COI) drama is “very concerning” and potentially destabilising, a leading academic said yesterday.

University of the South Pacific Political Professor Sandra Tarte made this comment during the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Electoral Reform at the Holiday Inn in Suva.

Speaking to this masthead, Ms Tarte said the COI situation was creating uncertainty and could overshadow important Government work.

“Obviously, it’s very concerning and it’s creating a lot of uncertainty and potentially quite destabilising as well,” Ms Tarte said.

“I think it’s unfortunate that obviously that’s going to be overshadowing a lot of other important work that’s going on by the Government in these kinds of spaces but obviously we don’t know what the outcome of all this will be.”

Commissioner’s comments

When asked about the recent public commentary by COI Commissioner Justice David Ashton-Lewis, Ms Tarte said it was unclear whether he expected his remarks to be reported in Fiji.

“Well, it’s not clear whether he knew this would be picked up in Fiji and reported in Fiji or not whether he was saying these things deliberately or whether he was expecting that this would go under the radar,” she said.

“We don’t know but it’s obviously going to have the implications. But not being a lawyer myself I don’t really know if I can comment further on that.”

Justice Ashton-Lewis had revealed during an Australian radio interview that nine senior officials were implicated in the COI report for lying under oath, abuse of office, and obstruction of justice in the appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner.

The 648-page report containing 72 recommendations was submitted to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on May 1.

Feedback: kaneta.naimatau@fijisun.com.fj