Barbara Malimali has spoken out publicly following the leak of the Commission of Inquiry report into her appointment as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), calling for the full report to be handed to her so she can respond.
Taking to Facebook, Ms Malimali said basic principles of justice had not been followed.
“Natural justice and fair play require that anyone adversely affected by any such inquiry should be given a copy – so they can challenge it, especially if there are errors or signs of procedural impropriety,” she wrote on Facebook.
She questioned the decision to act on the report’s recommendations before providing the report itself.
“The advice apparently given by whomever was to act on the recommendations first, then deal with the consequences later (ie give the report later).
“That is not how things work in a functioning democracy.
“That is not how the rule of law works.
“Anyone who says otherwise is… fishy,” she wrote.
Ms Malimali expressed concern about the country’s direction.
“The fish that is Fiji is rotting, and we look like we have moved from a military state to a police state.
“Be wary Fiji. Be very wary,” she said.
“I am afraid for where our country is heading.
“I am truly afraid that we ‘convict’ people based on hearsay on hearsay.
“I am truly afraid that we will lose good people and bring in ‘yes’ people.
“I am truly afraid that we have lost our common sense and our sense of fairness.”
She also raised concerns about external influence on governance.
“When people, who have no skin in the game, and don’t live or pay taxes in Fiji, can dictate how a government should run its business, then, we all should be afraid.”
Ms Malimali said she remained committed to staying in Fiji.
“As I have said: I am staying. And I am asking: Please give me the COI report so that I can challenge its legality and findings.”
