PM Has No Intention To Meet

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabu­ka has no intention of meeting with the Commission of In­quiry (COI) sole commissioner and its counsel, who are assisting in the constitutional debacle surround­ing Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Com­missioner Barbara Malimali.

Last month, the COI sent an email to Mr Rabuka requesting a meeting to discuss the contentious appoint­ment of Ms Malimali as Commis­sioner of FICAC.

The COI was formed last October to evaluate whether the process for appointing Ms Malimali was ex­ecuted with integrity, fairness, and transparency, in compliance with legal standards.

COI counsel assisting Janet Ma­son said a legal opinion from the COI, along with a review of that opinion by Professor Philip Joseph KC, was sent to the PM and the President in relation to the appoint­ment, dismissal and suspension provisions in the FICAC Act.

The COI was formed last October to evaluate whether the process for appointing Ms Malimali was executed with integrity, fairness, and transparency, in

compliance with legal standards.

Mr Rabuka has clarified that he does not have the intention of hav­ing that meeting at any time soon.

"There was no need for them to meet with me," Mr Rabuka said.

"They have written asking for more time that does not require anything - all it requires is to write directly to His Excellency, the Pres­ident's office.

"If there's a need for funds, they come to me, I'll provide the funds."

The COI has requested a five-week extension of their appointment to facilitate the completion of their report, which is anticipated to be finalised by April 11.

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