Fiji's anti corruption commissioner suspended
Fiji's coalition government continues to struggle at bringing democratic processes back after 16 years of dictatorship. (Supplied)
Photo:
ABC/Supplied
Fiji's prime minister has announced the suspension of the Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Barbara Malimali - who was also the Electoral Commission chairperson - was revealed as the new Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) commissioner last September.
The
announcement was causing a stir
due to it being unclear if she held the Electoral Commission chairperson role at the time of appointment - raising concerns about conflict of interest.
But then,
Malimali was taken for questioning
by FICAC officers. The following day, FICAC put out a statement saying Malimali was back in office and ready to lead FICAC.
The statement said that Malimali stated she would not let those events deter her from performing her duties as prescribed under the law.
Then on Thursday night, 29 May, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka posted on social media that the president had taken several actions in response to recommendations of a report by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the appointment of the FICAC Commissioner.
"Barbara Malimali has been suspended with immediate effect as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption, pending investigation by the Fiji police force of allegations against her raised in the COI report," Rabuka wrote.
Lisiate Fotofili's appointment as acting deputy Commissioner of FICAC has been rescinded, "and he returns to his substantive position in the Fiji judiciary", Rabuka said.
The 648-page COI report was transmitted on 14 May, his post said.
Lavi Rokoika has been appointed as acting Commissioner.
Rabuka asked for patience "as we carefully map the implementation of the COI report".
"I am committed to release of the report which is funded by the people of Fiji.
"However this will be done in a manner to ensure that investigations are not prejudiced, civil rights of accused persons are respected and the rule of law maintained."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
29 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Changes to WorkSafe 'long overdue': EMA
politics employment 20 minutes ago Employers and manufacturers are describing government moves to change the focus of WorkSafe as long overdue. Employers and Manufacturers Association manager of employment relations and safety Paul Jarvie spoke to Charlotte Cook.
Scoop
43 minutes ago
- Scoop
WorkSafe Needs More Investment To Keep Workers Safe, Not A Road Cone Hot Line
The Government's latest plan for making workplaces safer won't work when WorkSafe lacks the resources to be the tough regulator it needs to be. "We have an appalling safety record in this country, and this plan fails to invest more in WorkSafe so it can do a better job of ensuring workers come home safe and sound," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. WorkSafe has received no extra Budget funding from this government and almost one in five workers has been shown the door in recent years. Jobs axed include health specialists, advisors, researchers, evaluators and legal kaimahi who support WorkSafe inspectors and whose role is to educate businesses and protect workers from poor health and safety practices. "Nothing in this plan today adequately responds to our fatality record which is around double that of Australia. "Employers should be fearful about prosecution if they don't keep worker safe and alive. But the Government is happy to take the pressure off businesses and water down the enforcement activities of WorkSafe. "It's not good enough. WorkSafe is recruiting more inspectors, but not nearly enough. Australia has 11 inspectors for every 100,000 workers, while New Zealand has 6.5 and turnover remains high. "Guidance for businesses needs to be updated, so they know how to reduce harm in the workplace, but they can't do it alone. Only a well resourced WorkSafe can do that working alongside business. "The hotline to report road cones, which are a safety tool for motorists and workers, is a red herring. It says everything we need to know about the Government's priorities. "It's not enough to end pay equity, now the Government is coming after our health and safety protections as well. It's appalling." Notes The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 3 June
The Fijiana opened their 2025 season with a game against the Wallaroos. Photo: FRU Media Fiji rugby veterans are returning to the Fijiana 15s team for the 2025 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship. The Fijiana 15s enter this year's tournament as defending champions. FBC reported the returnees include Bitila Tawake, Rusila Nagasau, Asinate Serevi, Iris Verebalavu, and Jade Coates. The tournament will again see Fiji face off against traditional Pacific rivals Tonga and Samoa, serving as a build-up to the women's Rugby World Cup. The first Rugby World Club Cup will be held in 2028. The competition will see 16 teams taking part, with eight qualifying through the Investec Champions Cup and the remainder from Super Rugby and Japan. The BBC reported European Professional Club Rugby chairman Dominic McKay has confirmed the plans. The existing Champions Cup, with teams from England, France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, South Africa and Italy, will continue. The Fiji Rakavi Football Union Ltd, the company that now manages Fiji Rugby, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Rugby Football Association (CRFA). FRU board chairman John Sanday said the MOU was signed in Beijing between FRU trustees board representative Jenny Seeto and the CRFA president Wang Yun. Sanday said the agreement will help boost rugby in both countries, with focus on rugby academies, youth exchanges and high-performance programs. Australia and New Zealand have confirmed their teams for the Pacific Mini Games in Palau. Twenty athletes have been selected to represent Australia in the athletics competition, which is set down for 4-9 July in Koror. Nine weighlifters will represent New Zealand, led by Olympian David Liti. The Games, which will feature athletes from 24 Pacific nations across 12 sports, will officially open on 29 June. Meanwhile, the chairman of the organising commitee said the event will be declared 'drug, alcohol and tobacco free'. Vanuatu's women's beach volleyball players, Majabelle Lawac and Shersyn Toko, have returned home with a bronze medal from the FIVB Volleyball Pro Tour Challenge in China, held last month. The duo defeated China 2-1 in the play-off for third position at the event. That win came after earlier competition in other international beach volleyball events in Vietnam and the Phillipines.
