FICAC Inquiry Report: 'Not for Public'

The Commission of Inquiry report into the appointment of Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner, Barabara Malimali, will not be made public.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed this to this masthead following his meeting with the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, yesterday afternoon.

This, despite growing calls from the public and government critics that the inquiry report be made public.

"According to the Commission of Inquiry Act, there is no requirement for the report to be made public. We will respect that," the Prime Minister said.

Discussions between the PM and President focused on a follow-up action on the inquiry, which the PM intends to deliver to the public in a press statement.

Mr Rabuka confirmed that he would submit a follow-up action report to the President today.

"Where the report highlights certain allegations or indications of inappropriate actions, we will allow the various agencies such as FICAC and the Police to carry on the actions," the PM said.

"They cannot rely on any of the things that were collected during the inquiry.

"Personally levelled allegations will have to be personally answered by those in the eyes of those who have the responsibility to follow up with investigations."

Mr Rabuka confirmed he would not be getting any legal advice and rely on his discussion with the President and recommendations.

He declined to respond on the inquiry's findings on the appointment of Ms Malimali, but said he would deliver a statement.

However, he hinted that the outcome of the inquiry proved his point that people "might have unduly used their positions or influences to try and influence the outcome of the selection".

He dismissed comments made that the outcome of the report would paint a bad picture of the Government.

"The Government will have a very good picture because we have pursued this. It will be individuals, who may feel that they are unfairly victimised by the report. But that is a personal choice, a personal action before and after," he said.

"We're still in the cleaning up process. After so many years of doubtful standards, we make allegations. It's not until you commission people to carry out inquiries can you be sure that the allegations that you make mentally or openly in the press are founded."

Mr Rabuka said although the report would not be released to the public by him, he knew it would eventually find its way in the open.

The PM could not confirm the exact cost of the inquiry. Instead, he said the cost did not matter "when you are trying to do something right for the nation".

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