Barbara Malimali has made the fatal mistake of believing the widespread stories that she is a protected species and will survive the current blowtorch being applied to her – frolicking in the pages of the mainstream media seemingly without a care in the world. But it is clearly starting to dawn on her that the game is up – that you simply cannot survive as head of a supposedly independent corruption watchdog when you have the main opposition grouping in the parliament calling for your suspension and the judge inquiring into the “rotten” circumstances of your appointment publicly castigating you.
The look of impending doom is written all over Barbie’s face in today’s Fiji Times as she realises that she has overplayed her hand and the wolves are circling. A day late, the local Pravda carries the story that was front page news in yesterday’s Fiji Sun about Malimali being slapped down by Justice David Ashton-Lewis for trying to shut down media coverage of the spotlight that is now blazing down on her.
Yet more significant is today’s Fiji Sun front page revealing that the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, seems to have abandoned his long-held public position that he will not intervene with the Judicial Services Commission in Barbara Malimali’s case. It is a one line “yes” to a question from the Sun as to whether the PM has “voiced his concerns” with the JSC and its head – the rogue Acting Chief Justice, Salesi Temo. But it is enough. The heat is on and it’s a fair bet that it is only a matter of time before Malimali goes.
Her mistake has been to maintain her arrogance and assume that she is untouchable when a great deal of political and public sentiment is clearly with her accusers – the Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa, and the former FICAC deputy commissioner, Francis Puleiwai. Barbie also doesn’t seem to realise that the ground has shifted – that some of her recent public conduct has merely confirmed her unsuitability for the role of FICAC Commissioner.
Dancing wildly in front of the cameras with her ample bosom bouncing up and down is not how a senior officer of state should conduct herself. And that is leaving aside any other finding about her suitability and the circumstances of her appointment that may be about to come from Justice Ashton-Lewis.
The fact that the Judge gave Barbie an astonishing slapping down in public doesn’t augur well for those who’ve believed that he will produce a whitewash and Malimali will sail merrily on. Justice Ashton-Lewis might attend the same church as the Prime Minister and be in a prayer group with him. But as the Judge himself has indicated, he is a jurist with an international reputation who is not only immune to media coverage but doesn’t do whitewashes.
We are also finally seeing the potential of an opposition that has been far too docile finally flexing its muscles to say that enough is enough. The Opposition Leader, Inia Seruiratu – who leads the “Group of 16” former FijiFirst MPs in the parliament – says Barbara Malimali’s position is untenable and she must be suspended. And that’s precisely what must happen if the Prime Minister and the Acting Chief Justice are to be consistent with what happened to the DPP, Christopher Pryde.
Another issue weighing on the Prime Minister beyond the FICAC Commissioner is what happens if the Pryde Tribunal judges recommend to the President next week that the allegations against the DPP haven’t met the standard of “misbehaviour” set down in the Constitution and tell him that Christopher Pryde must be reinstated. Having kept Pryde waiting for the best part of two years before his case was heard, cutting off his salary so that he couldn’t afford to defend himself and the Acting Chief Justice falsely branding him as a thief, someone is going to have to pay for this debacle. And it sure as hell won’t be the Prime Minister.
The Acting Chief Justice has been a disaster for the criminal justice system and in relation to both Barbara Malimali and Christopher Pryde, the wolves are circling around Temo. Today’s front page in which the Prime Minister reveals that he has ended his hands-off approach to the JSC tells us that the Acting CJ’s days may also be numbered. Because he has abused his independence and public confidence in the criminal justice system has crumbled.
Old news made new in the Fiji Times but significant merely because it is finally appearing. And the look on Barbie’s face says it all.
Justice Ashton-Lewis gives Barbie a slapping that has wiped the smile off her face.
Oh dear, oh dear. Me and my big mouth.
And it was all going so well!
You can fool some of the people, some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.
The hammer is about to fall, and not before time. Could this be the start of the purge, let’s hope so, for the good of the country and all of the people in it, no matter what race, creed or religion.
If Malimali is given the boot, and Pryde is cleared of these false allegations, it may just save the coalition’s neck when they roll around to the next elections.
Faith in the government and the judiciary is at an all time low so small changes and corrections such as these will be seen as an indicator there is some hope.
There is also a need to find an appropriate CJ as the current one is as daft as Malimali and famous for shooting his mouth off without thinking first.
Perhaps Justice Ashton-Lewis may be the saviour Fiji needs if they’re looking for the right person to head the judiciary.
2027 has to be a change in government. There’s no logical explanation why they should be re-elected.
1. They spent $8,000,000 on themselves.
2. They rewarded the boys with jobs, even though they were not qualified.
3. The rogue ACJ has not been dealt with decisively, leaving him to create mass chaos at the top of the judiciary.
4. Rabuka cannot be allowed to continue his ethno nationalist agenda.
5. The GCC should never have been reinstated. Rabuka is to blame.
The list is long obviously, and no! There needs to be new and fresh faces come 2026. Otherwise Fiji will never recover if it sticks with this immoral and corrupt cabal.
The ACJ is a huge problem. Why did he change his name in the 70’s from Kaimacuata to Temo? Was it to hide the criminal offence he was charged with and subsequently jailed for?
If this is indeed the case, it raises questions about his validity to remain as any legal professional, let alone an ACJ
So sre you suggesting we should bring back the Taliban’s in the Fiji First ?
Sure need a change but who will be the change you are asking for?
Yes Definitely. That will eventually happen.
Barbara Malimali was appointed FICAC Commissioner at a lightening speed. That in itself raises a lot of questions. Definitely, there was political interference.
Look at how Graham Leung and Siromi Turanga have behaved since then, and the Tribunal must have already noted this.
Well, interestingly, the so-called free media is now being gagged by Siromi. Where is media freedom now, which the Coalition government boasts about?
There are a few observations about Malimali’s appointment, which we have been raising. Normally, appointments to any position is made after police and medical clearances. This normally takes a couple of weeks to a month. These two pre-requisites for any position are mandatory. Can the JSC and the President’s office inform if these two prerequisites were followed? Definitely police and medical clearances can not be done overnight.
Malimali is required to ensure that she also resigns appropriately from any other office that she was serving on. This also takes a bit of time to formally resign and do a formal handover. A couple of questions that must have been noted by the Tribunal:
1. Why was Malimali’s appointment rushed? Why did JSC determine that she should take the position on 5 September, a day after her appointment. The answer is obvious.
2. Why did Malimali stop FICAC from charging Biman when charges had already been firmed up against him? Is this why her appointment was rushed?
3. Why did Malimali allow Richard Naidu, Wylie Clark, and a few others to persuade FICAC not to charge Biman? Does this happen in other cases, or does it only happen in the case of a government minister demonstrating that he was above the law.
4. Why did Leung and Siromi defend the appointment, yet saying that there was no political interference?
5. How much time did former President Kotonivere take to approve the appointment? Was he under pressure to appoint Malaimali?
6. It is said Filimoni Vasorogo and Graham Leung were Malimali’s referees? Can JSC Chair Temo confirm this as well as tell us how many candidates were shortlisted and interviewed?
7. Was JSC aware of Malimali’s behavior in the Tuvalu court case and the disrepute she brought?
By issuing a press release recently, Malimali has shot herself in the foot. Let’s have faith in the Tribunal for a fair verdict.
It is a Commission of Inquiry rather than a Tribunal. But the points you make are just as valid.
Thanks GD for correcting the error in my last post.
Yes, we look forward to the Commission of Inquiry findings on Barbara Malimali.
We also eagerly await the Tribunal’s ruling on Pryde.
We know the integrity and competence of High Court Judge, Justice Anare Tuilevuka, so we expect him to give a fair ruling.
Many questions were asked why he went ahead with proceedings of the tribunal without Pryde, but he may, together with his fellow judges, have had some valid reasons. It could be that he took a call to proceed, knowing very well that it would be hard to prove the case against Pryde beyond reasonable doubt. None of the witnesses could say what Pryde and Aiyaz discussed except seeing them together at a reception, but that’s not a crime.
Sadly, politicians and high-ranking civil servants were the witnesses. Except for PS Finance, others seem to have a fixed narrative.
Unfortunately, this is a civil law matter for CP, so the burden of proof is not “beyond reasonable doubt,” but rather “on the balance of probabilities.” This is a lower and easier standard to meet.
An interesting point raised by R. Chaudry on Facebook is that CP’s contract could be viewed as ultra vires due to the time limits imposed on foreign work visas under the Immigration Act, which RC suggests caps them at three years. This argument suggests that CP’s contract may have been nullified from the outset. Consequently, the clause authorising superannuation payments might not be lawful, meaning Temo’s stance is legally correct. Moreover, it’s possible that a finding of misconduct isn’t even necessary to terminate CP’s employment.
There are compelling arguments on both sides, which makes this case more intriguing than initially anticipated.
Do you happen to know when the result is due, GD?
The Tribunal members have to give their findings to the President by the close of business this coming Monday, December 23. The Constitution stipulates that the President must then make it public. But when he actually does so is anyone’s guess.
So on the “balance of probabilities” rather than “beyond reasonable doubt”, the Acting CJ was justified in casting Christopher Pryde as a thief? I think not when his contracts providing for superannuation were signed by two successive heads of state.
The charge under the Constitution is “misbehaviour”. And having laid that 18 months ago, they can’t just go shopping now for another reason to get rid of him. Even R Chaudhry must know that.
The immigration laws do not explicitly state (insofar as I am aware) that there is a maximum term of work permit for 3 years. We see very often that foreign nationals serve longer terms-such as commercial banks’ CEOs like Minam, Justice Karunaratne who went on to become a Fiji citizen and contested elections.
Whatever happens going forward, Rabuka and Biman both have shown themselves to be out of depth and out of touch with the common Fijians.
As soon as they sneaked in government they rewarded themselves snd their immediate friends and families. They took our judicial system to the gutters with appointments like the ACJ, ADPP, AFC and many others.
While many of the coalition’s supporters celebrate that they dont see ASK and Bainimarama anymore in parliament, it is enough for them no matter how badly our country is being run.
I am not sure if people will wake up to reality by 2026 but this government has to go if Fiji is to survive. They would have probably destroyed our nation to another level by 2026 and not much will be left to save.
Ain’t there no leaders with an ounce of integrity in Fiji?
Bottom line is Malimali should never have been appointed in the first place.
Like so many other current appointments.
So the issue lies with the appointing authorities.
Malimali’s case just became more prominent because she is an arrogant loudmouth individual.
Let’s hope she gets some sense and resign before being forced to.
The secret to the Commission of Inquiry of the Malimali FICAC appointment is found in the Prime Ministers press statement that he received Malimali’s resignation as Chair of Electoral Commission from the Solicitor General Mr. Green on Saturday morning over two weeks after her appointment at FICAC. The digital footprint of the backdated resignation proves that she concocted the resignation after her appointment and colluded with Mr. Green to lie to Rabuka, that is what he meant by the rotten appointment. She was holding the position of Chair Electoral Commission and may have got paid for those two weeks too, double dipping. Lets hope she refunded the money then not now after reading this. You cannot be both the Chair of Electoral Commission and Commissioner of FICAC at the same time. One appointment is invalid.
Hey GD and fellow grubsheeters!
Could you please all be very kind to Ms Malimali as she would soon lose all that weight and become malnourished since she would be out of a decent job for a very long time!
Thanks but not thanks!
If tit-ilation Milamila resigns or forced out, you can be reassured that she will land another cushy job courtesy of PM Rabuka.
Tits don’t resign.
Don’t you mean “the tits that don’t quit?”
Barbs was hurriedly put into office to avoid Baimaan being charged. The wheels of power in the background are turning and unfortunately these wheels are being turned by the holier than thou Richard and Wiley. Rabuka needs to play his hand right because Ana is not going anywhere and having her on his side as we head into 2026 is absolutely critical.
I hope the COI also reviews footage of the press conference by the AG the week of Malimali’s appointment and arrest. He had clear bias in her favour.
Barbara the Baboon’s conduct in the professional sphere is a pressing concern. Her behavior often resembles that of a disruptive child, characterized by a lack of maturity and professionalism. Within the legal community, she has earned a reputation as a loud and contentious figure—often described as someone who craves attention and thrives on drama. Unfortunately, such antics are symptomatic of a deeper emptiness that manifests in her professional interactions.
This Kalavo perceives herself as an invaluable asset, but her inflated self-image belies a troubling track record. An example of this entitlement can be seen in her insistence that the position of Manager Legal at FIRCA be exclusively entrusted to her, despite the clear qualifications of Silipa, a candidate more deserving of the role.
Moreover, her direct appointment as Principal Legal Officer at Legal Aid raises eyebrows, given that her appointment was facilitated by Marketera Waqavonovono without the position being made publicly available. In this instance, countless deserving candidates, such as Samanunu Vaniqi and Resina Senikuraciri, were unjustly sidelined.
Barbara’s brief stint as Acting Director of Legal Aid was notably marred by her inappropriate conduct, leading to her dismissal by Nainendra Nand, the then-Solicitor General. Reports of her excessive drinking and inappropriate advancements during the AGs Conference exemplify a troubling pattern of behavior as she sought to secure her position by any means necessary.
Her indiscretions did not stop there; allegations of unprofessional conduct extend to her personal life, including a scandalous incident involving a judge presiding over her case in Tuvalu.
Connections to prominent figures, like Vosarogo, complicate the story further, as those familiar with the past are privy to the contentious associations Barbara has cultivated over the years. Amani Bale and various military personnel also find themselves entangled in her history of questionable behavior. Just see who were the figures who backed her up when FICAC arrested her.
This network of connections has equipped Barbara with a considerable amount of leverage over influential individuals, as she is believed to have insight into their less-than-flattering histories.
Her reputation is one of moral and ethical decay, often behaving as though she is entitled to a free pass in both her personal and professional engagements. The childish outbreaks of laughter and erratic behavior are suggestive of an unraveling mental state.
In light of recent political developments with the PAP coming to power, Barbara has been keen to position herself for advancement, showcasing a pattern of desperation. Her overt attempts to undermine Ana and secure Leung’s position as SOE demonstrate a willingness to compromise one’s integrity for personal gain. Leung was her referee and vigrously defended her appointment for obvious reasons. Yet, this strategy has backfired, as she now finds herself embroiled in controversies that may prove insurmountable.
Ultimately, time has not been kind to Barbara. Her continued antics seem to reveal an inability to adapt or learn from previous missteps. The anticipation for potential consequences looms, as it appears that this time, this Baboon’s luck has run out. Karma often finds a way to deliver its justice, and it remains to be seen if anyone will be able to shield her from the impending fallout.
As the clock ticks down, the pressure builds, and this Baboon’s path forward appears fraught with challenges from which she cannot easily escape.
Can’t wait for this Kalavo to be exterminated.