Fiji’s Coalition Government is preparing to establish a Commission of Inquiry, with the cabinet set to review a detailed proposal next week, including the terms of reference (TOR) and a list of suggested members for the commission.
The commission will investigate allegations by the former Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Francis Pulewai, including her claims of the coalition government’s interference in her work, particularly on cases involving coalition ministers.
The paper will be presented at the cabinet’s meeting next Tuesday.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka made this known in response to a question on the credibility and integrity of government and its institutions moving forward stemming from some of its appointments to key offices including FICAC and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP).
This move is seen as a step towards restoring trust in government institutions, with Rabuka acknowledging that while they “cannot undo what has been done, [we] can make sure that this is not repeated.”
“If anyone contravened the orders or laws or regulations, they would be dealt with.”
Meanwhile, in response to a question about Pulewai’s claims of safety threats, Rabuka firmly asserted, “It would not come from the government I lead. Who is she afraid of? I do not know… The police have since said that there wasn’t any police report made. And you know that the report was pulled down by ABC as a question of credibility of some of the information.”
He reassured the public that safety remains a priority, dismissing concerns over threats to citizens, including Pulewai.
“I believe we are safe. If there is anyone that is under threat, that’s me. And I have not felt any threat,” Rabuka said adding that his bodyguards serve “are courtesy officers to make sure they open the door since I have an unsteady gait, and they make sure the steps have railings I don’t think they I are there to ward off any.”
