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*The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the legality of the appointment of Ms. Barbara Malimali as Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), makes this statement, as a response to a press release by FICAC, presumably authorised and released by Ms. Malimali titled, “Let the Commission of Inquiry Do Its Job: FICAC Urges Public To Respect the Process”.
*The FICAC statement appears to be an attempt by Ms. Malimali to quell commentary adverse to her, by various stakeholders, including the media, the implication being that such commentary will influence the Commissioner. The Commissioner, His Lordship Justice David Ashton-Lewis is a pre-eminent jurist having enjoyed an illustrious career in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. He has been honoured by Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth the Second. His Lordship is certainly not susceptible to the “external pressure” which the FICAC statement refers to.
*As in any modern constitutional democracy, the existence of a Commission of Inquiry should not be held as a buttress against media freedom.
*The CoI was not consulted by FICAC prior to FICAC releasing its statement.
From Fijileaks Archive, 14 December 2014
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