Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa says she will not be bullied into silence.

Ms Mataiciwa, who lodged a complaint against FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali for alleged abuse of office and intimidation, called out the actions of the Commissioner.

“Once becoming the FICAC Commissioner Ms Malimali extracted sensitive and official information from FICAC and used the same to harass and intimidate the witnesses to the complaint against her in an active case that is currently with CID,” a Fijian Elections Office statement read.

“She proceeded to lodge complaints against the SOE and members of her team to various authorities including the Electoral Commission, The Office of the Chief Registrar, and the Commissioner of Police making false accusations.

“The SOE was only prompted to lodge the complaint after it received Notices from the Secretary to the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) and the Office of the Chief Registrar (CR) on November 8, 2024, and November 19, 2024, respectively.

“The COC requested that the SOE provide a response to a complaint from the Electoral Commission which referred to a complaint from Ms Malimali on allegations of aiding and abetting her arrest.”

The FEO revealed that the Chief Registrar’s office requested Ms Mataiciwa and two other staff, all legal practitioners, to provide a response to a complaint by Ms Malimali for allegations of professional misconduct.

“Given that there is currently an active case on Ms Malimali being investigated by CID, in which the SOE is a primary witness, the actions of Ms Malimali in lodging a barrage of complaints to different authorities are proof of intimidation and harassment.

“It was also obvious that the complaints against the SOE and her team were fast-tracked by the COC Secretary and CR’s office.

“This resulted in the SOE writing to the Acting Commissioner of Police to bring to his attention the appalling actions of the FICAC Commissioner.”

The FEO also pointed out that a complaint against Ms Malimali from Ms Mataiciwa was lodged on November 28.

“The SOE is also a witness in the COI against Malimali.

“She has submitted her affidavit to COI and she has also brought to the attention of the COI the actions of the FICAC Commissioner, COC secretary (Ropate Green), and chief registrar.”

Police has confirmed investigations into Ms Mataiciwa’s complaint was in progress.

When approached for a comment on Ms Mataiciwa’s claims, Ms Malimali said it would be prejudicial to make a comment on these matters, “therefore, I respectfully decline”.

Meanwhile, Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube expressed concern over the claims made by Ms Mataiciwa.

In a social media post, he claimed the unfolding FICAC drama was shocking.

“It appears that Ms Malimali is protected by people in high places,” he said.

“She is holding on to her position as the Commissioner of FICAC when a Commission of Inquiry (COI) is investigating the nature of her appointment.

“Even if it is not required by the law, it is unethical to remain in your position when you are under investigation.

“Ms Malimali must do the right thing and step aside. If she does not, the appointing authority, who is the President, must ask her to do so.

“I stress that this is not a personal attack on the Commissioner but an issue of ethics. The people deserve to know the truth.”