Trust the Process, says Malimali

Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner Barbara Malimali mali has assured that she will reassess all FICAC investigations against Cabinet Ministers including her case and called on the public to trust the process.

On Tuesday, Ms Malimali lodged a police complaint against former acting deputy FICAC Commissioner Francis Pulewai. She added that no matter the case, she would carry out her due diligence.

Ms Malimali confirmed that FICAC had issued a stop order for Ms Pulewai but she had left on the weekend of her resignation.

When approached yesterday at the court premises, after being informed that the media was barred from the FICAC premises, Ms Malimali told Fiji Sun: “I am still finding my way around the place.

“We’re getting ahead of ourselves. I have just been there for a couple of days,” she said of her appoint-ment that was effective from September 5.

“All I can say is that these cases are progressing and ...let the processes go through.

“Whatever cases FICAC has, I will have a look at whoever they are.”

As of May, the Fijian Elections Office referred at least eight senior Cabinet ministers to FICAC for allegations of electoral breaches.

They are:

• Minister for Sugar and Multi-Ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh;
•  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad;
•  Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya;
• Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communication and Trade Manoa Kamikamica;
• Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga
•  Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro;
• Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu.

FEO had also referred President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere on February 15.

Opposition Members of Parliament Faiyaz Koya and Semi Koroilavesau were also part of the list.

Former PM

Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry claimed that both the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka were well aware that Barbara Malimali was under FICAC investi-gation before she was appointed its Commissioner.

The Judicial Services Commis-sion (JSC), the legal independent body that recommended Ms Mali-mali to the President is chaired by Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo.

This masthead sent emails along with follow-up requests to JSC since last Friday. No response has been received.

“There is evidence that FICAC wrote to the President and the PM on 30th August informing them that it was investigating Electoral Commissioner Ms Malimali for abuse of office,” Ms Chaudhry said.

“The letters were hand delivered to the respective offices on the same day.

“The President’s office wrote back on September 3rd, saying he would seek legal advice and consult on the matter.”

Mr Chaudhry claimed there was deliberate attempt to cloud the issue with irrelevant in-formation in a bid to mislead the people.

He said this is not a matter that should be brushed under the carpet to protect the offenders.

Narube

Unity Fiji party leader and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Savenca Narube, highlighted that his concern was not about Ms Malimali but about the process.

He suggested that in order to avoid mudding the waters any further, it was only fair and proper that JSC suspends the appointment of Ms Malimali until an inquiry was completed.

“I am afraid that if the Government does not react to this case now, it will be no different from the previous government who used the FICAC as a political weapon to protect themselves or destroy their opponents,” Mr Narube said.

“If we do not initiate this inquiry, the people will continue to doubt the accountability and transparency of the FICAC with devastating impact on fighting corruption especially in high places in Fiji. We must act now!”

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