TRADE Minister Manoa Kamikamica has confirmed he was Acting Prime Minister at the time of the controversial appointment of the now-sacked Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption commissioner Barbara Malimali.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka was on an official visit to Kiribati on August 27, the day the appointment was made.
“Yes, I was Acting Prime Minister at the time but you know, that had nothing to do with Barbara’s appointment,” he said.
Mr Kamikamica told this neswpaper that he was waiting for the Commission of Inquiry report to be released to set his story straight.
“We’ll wait for the report to come out, because I want to make sure I have the chance to share my side of the story.”
He said he fully supported the public release of the report.
“Once I have the opportunity to discuss it openly, you’ll certainly hear my views.”
When asked on whether he would step aside while the investigation unfolds, Mr Kamikamica was resolute.
“Firstly, we don’t know what the allegations in that report are. I have no idea. So until it becomes public, we’re just talking in theory.”
He said rather than making assumptions, the public should wait for the release of the report.
Mr Kamikamica also responded to COI Commissioner Justice David Ashton-Lewis’ comments during a recent interview, saying the Supreme Court judge did not know him well.
“He made the rules for the COI, and it appears he breached those same rules. That’s for him to explain. From my perspective, I’m keen to have the opportunity to explain my side of the story.”
Despite mounting pressure, Mr Kamikamica said he supported full transparency.
“If the Prime Minister wants to release the report, I’m very supportive of that idea.
“There are some major issues I have with what I’ve heard is in the report. Once I have the opportunity to speak openly, you’ll certainly hear my views.”
