Rabuka Silent on Judges as COI Delay Raises Doubts

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has reaffirmed his statement that President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu acts on his advice, but remains tight-lipped about the involvement of the three prominent members of the judiciary implicated in the Commission of Inquiry report.

"The President decides on my recommendation," Mr Rabuka said in an interview last Friday.

Fiji Sun understands that there was no recommendation in the report to suspend any of the senior judiciary members.

However, the report indicates the Commission's hope that Mr Rabuka would advise the establishment of a tribunal and the suspension of the judiciary members to ensure that an investigation can be carried out without interference.

The delay in implementing the COI recommendations has raised critical questions about the transparency and independence of key institutions such as the Judicial Services Commission and FICAC, while also drawing criticism of the Prime Minister's leadership.

"They have indicated that in the vote, those who didn't vote for me didn't have confidence. Those who now have lost confidence will not vote for me," Mr Rabuka said.

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