PM Grilled By COI
The two-week hearing, which is closed to the public and media, will hear from 35 key witnesses.
Tuesday 07 January 2025 | 09:01
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka before the Commission of Inquiry at the Court of Appeal at Veiuto, Suva, on January 6, 2025. Photo: Leon Lord
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka endured a gruelling two-hour session of tough questioning yesterday at the Commission of Inquiry (COI) regarding the controversial appointment of Barbara Malimali as the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner.
In his dual role as PM and chairperson of the Constitutional Office Commission (COC), Mr Rabuka faced the commission in the morning at the old parliament complex in Veiuto, Suva.
The two-week hearing, which is closed to the public and media, will hear from 35 key witnesses.
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Justice David Ashton-Lewis, an esteemed Australian jurist and current Supreme Court judge, was appointed as the sole commissioner last October to investigate Ms Malimali's appointment on September 5, 2024.
He is supported by senior barrister Janet Mason, acting as Counsel Assisting.
The COI aims to probe whether the appointment of Ms Malimali was subject to improper or illegal influence. Specifically, it will assess whether vested interests, such as ongoing FICAC investigations involving high-profile figures, including MPs, ministers, and senior public servants, affected the appointment process.
Tough questions
Speaking to the press, Mr Rabuka said: “I expected it to be tough because we need to get to the bottom of it; and I just played my part.
“There were normal questions that came out of my own affidavit.”
Justice Ashton-Lewis described the first session as “positive,” praising Mr Rabuka’s willingness to engage with the inquiry.
He said: “It has been so positive, I can say that much. The Prime Minister acted commendably, and the hearing will continue until January 16. We have 34 witnesses now, some of whom we will process quickly.”
Ms Mason echoed the commissioner’s views, expressing satisfaction with the progress.
“It was very positive, and we’re happy to be starting the inquiry after going through a lot of information.” Ms Malimali’s lawyer, Tanya Waqanika, declined to comment.
Truth and integrity
The Opposition remains determined to uncover the truth surrounding the appointment.
Its leader Inia Seruiratu said: “I’ll take the stand tomorrow. We need to know the truth. Everything needs to be revealed on whether the process was followed in the appointment.” Attorney-General Graham Leung, who endorsed Ms Malimali’s appointment, will testify on Friday. “It’s an independent process,” he told this masthead.
Feedback: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj
