The Fiji Labour Party has described Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent actions on the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report as a “step in the right direction.”

This follows the suspension of Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner Barbara Malimali and the dismissal of Attorney-General Graham Leung.

Ms Malimali has been suspended pending an inquiry, while Mr Leung was removed from Cabinet after the Prime Minister stated that his position had become “untenable” in light of the COI’s findings.

In a statement yesterday, the Fiji Labour Party welcomed the Prime Minister’s move to implement the recommendations of the COI report, which examined the circumstances surrounding Malimali’s appointment as FICAC Commissioner.

“We are aware that a number of other members of the Cabinet and those in the judiciary and the legal fraternity have also been indicted in the COI report.
“We hope they will be dealt with in a similar manner,” Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said.

The developments follow reports that Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai had written to Government expressing concern over the COI Report not being made public.

“This is a step in the right direction, but the PM has a long way to go to thoroughly clean up ‘the rot’ that began with the controversial appointment of Malimali as FICAC Commissioner last July,” Mr Chaudhry said.

“We expect the Prime Minister to continue the clean-up process to ensure that good governance and the rule of law are fully upheld.
“The people will accept no less from him,” the deposed PM said.

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