Barbara Malimali Photo: Facebook / Ariela Zibiah
Fiji's Judicial Services Commission has reportedly appointed a new head of the country's anti-corruption office who is currently under investigation by the anti-corruption watchdog.
Lawyer Barbara Malimali, who is also the Electoral Commission chairperson, was revealed as the new Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) director on Wednesday, according to local media reports.
Malimali's appointment was signed off by the Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, FICAC has confirmed.
The anti-corruption agency has also told Fiji media that it is conducting an investigation against Malimali for alleged abuse of office.
According to reports, FICAC confirmed it had conducted a search on Tuesday at the Electoral Commission in relation to Malimali's case.
The agency "reiterated that it was not a "raid", however, it was a formal process of FICAC investigation, where their investigators uplift documentation required via the authority of a search warrant," fijivillage.com reported.
The broadcaster is reporting that a former prime minister and Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, has "strongly denounced" Malimali's appointment.
Chaudhry also claims that "undue pressure" was being put on the acting FICAC director "to desist from charging" government ministers who are under investigation.
He wants Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to intervene.
An opposition MP, Premila Kumar, called the appointment "unbelievable and astonishing".
"This irony is a glaring reminder of the deep rooted issues within our system which is eroding trust," Kumar wrote on Facebook.
