THE Fiji Labour Party (FLP) is challenging the legitimacy, propriety, and timing of the FICAC statement clearing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Professor Biman Prasad of all allegations filed against him by the Supervisor of Elections for breaches of the Political Parties Act.
In a statement issued yesterday, FICAC announced that it had closed the case against Prof Biman Prasad.
Referring to the recent Commission of Inquiry (COI) into FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali’s appointment, FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry said the finalised report of the COI was awaiting the return of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to the country.
“It is not only impertinent but also highly irregular of FICAC to pre-empt the findings of a presidential Commission of Inquiry which had been set up to enquire into the ‘rot’ surrounding Malimali’s appointment as FICAC Commissioner,” Mr Chaudhry said. “FICAC was to have charged Prof Prasad the very day Malimali was appointed to the substantive position of Commissioner FICAC.”
Mr Chaudhry said the legitimacy and integrity of the FICAC move was questionable considering that the statement was issued in the name of FICAC Commissioner who was sent on leave in February, pending the outcome of the inquiry.
“Fijians have a right to know whether the decision to clear a senior Coalition member was made by an officer duly empowered to act, or if this statement reflects internal disarray and dysfunction.
“FICAC is a watch-dog institution tasked with upholding integrity and accountability, yet it has lately come under considerable discredit for its own failure to uphold proper governance protocols.”
Mr Chaudhry said they were alarmed that such important developments took place when the Prime Minister is out of the country.
