Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry said the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption is here to stay.
Although Suva lawyer Rejendra Chaudhry said FICAC should be scrapped due to its incompetence, the Interim Finance Minister believes people can have their own opinions.
He said FICAC is an instrument to fight corruption.
“…a body which will deal with corruption in society and FICAC has been established for this purpose so it must be supported by our citizens. Now, I don’t see anything wrong with the concept, though people may have different views and the manner in which it is going about doing its business. So that I will leave to people who have their own views on that. But as far as the institution is concerned, we need an institution like FICAC to fight corruption in self defense and then we have this country under Qarase’s rule. But as I’ve said again the manner about which FICAC goes about doing its work and defining its responsibilities is a manner of opinion and the individual citizens are entitled to express these. “ Mahendra Chaudhry.
Rajendra Chaudhry had earlier confirmed that he will take civil action against FICAC soon.
Fiji Needs FICAC: Rajendra Chaudhry
Suva Lawyer Rajendra Chaudhry who last month claimed that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption be scrapped, has now changed his tune.
Chaudhry now claims that Fiji needs an institution like FICAC to weed out corruption. However, he still maintains that FICAC should seriously look into the work they carry out.
"The institution is good. It is necessary. Now, I’ve said this. What I have said is if FICAC cannot operate within the bounds of this constitution - with respect to ensuring that a person’s human rights is preserved, that a person is innocent until proven otherwise by a court of law and other civil and political rights that a person has – then FICAC should go. But the way FICAC has been going about its work is what gives rise to complaints by the public and those that FICAC chooses to take an interest, or to arrest and bring before the courts." Rajendra Chaudhry
Chaudhry who was charged and taken to court by FICAC but was later cleared of the charges laid against him says he is still liaising with his solicitors and civil action may be taken against FICAC soon.
"I have just had my legal counsel go through the ruling and also conduct the necessary research into the matter that would give rise to the similar sort of claim that I will pursue against FICAC so I hope to get advice from my solicitors in the next fortnight and once I do that then I will pursue with this matter against FICAC. I am very serious about this matter." Rajendra Chaudhry.
Late last month Rajendra Chaudhry labeled FICAC an incompetent institution and called on the authorities to scrap FICAC.
FICAC’s Legality Questioned 09/06/2008 [17:14]
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption's legality was today questioned in the Suva Magistrates Court by a Suva Lawyer.
Semi Lewaniqila questioned FICAC's legality with regards to the case of the two former executives of the Fiji National Provident Fund, who have been charged with abuse of office.
Lewaniqila made an application, before Magistrate Aminiasi Katonivualiku, for the case to be transferred to the High Court and a decision be made on FICAC's legality.
Lewaniqila questioned the FICAC promulgation number 11 in Court today, which deals with the legality of FICAC's formation.
Magistrate Katonivualiku has transferred the case to the High Court and the hearing will start on the 27th of this month.
The two former executives of the Fiji National Provident Fund charged by FICAC for abuse of office are Olota Rokovunisei and Foana Nemani.
