Release the COI Report, Narube Demands

The best way forward is for the Prime Minister to release the report of the Commission of Inquiry, so that the nation will know the full story.

That is the call from Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube.

"Drip feeding the public will only lead to knee-jerk reactions and repetition of past mistakes," Mr Narube said.

"Government is in turmoil for its wrong choices in the appointment of Barbara Malimali as the Commissioner of FICAC. Yet, the Prime Minister seems to be repeating the same mistake."

He said Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka initially suspended Malimali, then terminated her, and was now involved in appointing an acting Commissioner, despite constitutional provisions that placed this authority with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC).

"Now, the PM is making the appointment of the acting Commissioner when the 2013 Constitution is very clear that it is the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) that makes the appointment. Allegations are starting to surface against the PM's appointment."

Mr Narube expressed concern about the quality of legal advice being given to the Prime Minister.

"These constant flipflopping and hasty decisions are creating serious doubt about the PM's wisdom and Government's legal capability. It gives rise to the following questions: Who is giving the PM legal advice? Is he listening to the advice?

"My plea to the PM is 'please learn from the past and do it right this time.' If we do not do it right, Government is bound to repeat the same mistake which has cost the nation a lot of money and further eroded the little credibility that Government has left," Mr Narube warned.

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