Constitutional Offices Commission: 'Conflict of Interest'

The Leader of Opposition (LoP) Inia Seruiratu has come out in the open criticising Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for taking over the Minister for Home Affairs portfolio from Pio Tikoduadua.

Mr Seruiratu said with Mr Rabuka's additional portfolio which governed the Fiji Police Force was a "conflict of interest."

This is because Mr Rabuka is the chairperson of the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) which is mandated to make independent recommendations to the President of Fiji, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, for the appointment of the Commissioner of Police.

The position had been vacant for more than a year since the suspension and imprisonment of former Fiji Commissioner of Police (COMPOL), Sitiveni Qiliho.

“Additional responsibility, particularly Police under the Prime Minister’s portfolio wing can somewhat be seen as a conflict of interest,” Mr Seruiratu said.

Last Month, the COC endorsed the appointment of an independent selection panel to assess and shortlist applicants for the position of Commissioner of Police on behalf of the Commission.

Honour the Process

Mr Seruiratu called on Mr Rabuka to honour the process of the appointment of the COMPOL, especially when he, as the chairperson of the independent body mandated to recommend successful candidates to the President of Fiji.

“It is the Prime Minister’s call for now, but I think he needs to be aware also that he is the chairperson of the Constitutional Offices Commission,” Mr Seruiratu said.

“The process of nominating the Commissioner of Police is currently ongoing. That process also requires the minister responsible to be consulted.

“The minister responsible will be consulted before the successful candidate is made by His Excellency, the President. This is something the Prime Minister must consider.”

Mr Seruiratu is not the first Opposition Member of Parliament (OMP) to question the PM’s motive and reshuffle in Government after Mr Tikoduadua stepped aside because of alleged improper conduct in the Immigration Department in the issuance of passports.

Senior Opposition Member of Parliament and former Minister for Education, and women, Premila Kumar raised the issue last week.

She labelled Mr Rabuka’s additional portfolio as “too many hats.”

‘No Conflict’

In response; Mr Rabuka said “It’s not a direct conflict of interest because I’m the responsible minister for Police.

“After the COC has done its job, I will be guided by the COC’s decision. The consultation does not mean that you differ to the minister’s views.”

Opposition Group of 9 Leader Ioane Naivalurua where he indicated that the group is in Parliament “just to support Government.”

Background

Mr Rabuka said last Friday that he was now responsible for the police portfolio and the Department of Immigration. Previously, NFP politician Pio Tikoduadua held this portfolio. Two weeks ago, Mr Tikoduadua stepped-aside as Minister for Home Affairs to allow investigation in the passport-issuing turmoil.

This transpired after it was discovered that children of the Grace Road Group members implicated in the human rights claims had been issued passports without the required authorisation.

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