Decision Pending on Public Release of COI Report: PM

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has indicated that the public release of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report into the appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner is not yet confirmed, and will depend on the decision of the President.

When asked whether the report would be made public, Mr Rabuka said the matter was under consideration.

The report, reportedly more than 400 pages long, was presented to the Prime Minister and President yesterday.

“Is there any strong cause for COI to be made public? That will depend on the decision made by His Excellency. I make the recommendation to him. And we will act in accordance with what is in the Commission of Inquiry Act,” the Prime Minister said.

“To be made public? Depends on whether we decide to make it public or not.”

Commission Counsel assisting Janet Mason urged the public to allow time for that process, noting the complexity of the material.

“I just wanted to say one thing. I know there’s been a lot of questions about whether the report be made public. And just to ask you all to respect the time that the Prime Minister and the President need to think through,” Ms Mason said.

“Like I said, it’s more than 400 pages and quite complicated material. And so, you shouldn’t think just because they’re taking a week to do that, that somehow the report won’t be made public. The two things do not go together. So, please don’t associate them.”

Commissioner Justice David Ashton-Lewis also offered reassurance, saying he personally believed the report would eventually be released.

“And I’m happy to say that in my opinion, and I stress it’s my opinion, I believe it. I believe it will be made public, but that’s my belief,” he said.

“So again, as Mrs Mason says, please just be patient. You’ve been patient for the past six months. Won’t hurt to be a little bit more patient.”

The final decision on its publication now rests with the Office of the President.

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