We're not letting the PM resign: Cabinet

Cabinet will not accept the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s resignation if his appeal against the High Court ruling on the Barbara Malimali case fails. 

Speaking to the media following the Cabinet meeting yesterday in Suva, Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya said there was unanimous support for Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to continue his leadership. 

“It was a resounding sentiment in Cabinet that we would not accept his resignation,” Ms Tabuya said. 

She said Mr Rabuka had indicated he would consider resigning only if the appeal process failed and the Supreme Court ruled the advice provided by the Prime Minister to the President to revoke the appointment of Ms Malimali as FICAC Commissioner was wrong. 

Options for PM 

Ms Tabuya outlined several options now available to the Prime Minister following a briefing by Solicitor-General Ropate Green. 

This includes appealing the High Court decision through to the Court of Appeal and potentially the Supreme Court or waiting for the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) to convene and make its decision on Ms Malimali’s status. 

The JSC, which is independent of Government, has constitutional authority to advise the President on matters relating to the FICAC Commissioner as per Section 5 of the FICAC Act. 

Justice Dane Tuiqereqere ruled on Monday that only the JSC has the power to advise the President on the appointment or removal of the FICAC Commissioner. 

Meanwhile, Ms Tabuya said the People’s Alliance Party wouldn’t address a succession plan until the appeal process was complete. 

She said there was no immediate need to discuss the matter. 

“The appeal process is going to take some time; there is no urgency to it,” she said. 

Her comments come amid uncertainty within the ruling party about succession plans. 

PAP president Ratu Josefa Dimuri told this masthead on Monday there wasn’t “any clear succession plan” within the party.