At the closing of the 9th Attorney General's Conference in Sigatoka last night, the Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum seized the opportunity to defend the birth of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption and its role, amongst other issues.

Sayed-Khaiyum stressed that the state has to have such an institution to create a level playing field for economic opportunities and sustained growth and the effective delivery of public services.

The Interim AG also questioned why those who were charged by FICAC were told by their lawyers to challenge the legality of FICAC, stating that FICAC is transparent, is not pursuing a clandestine agenda, is guided by the mandate of the President and is a creation that lends institutional strengthening and transparency and is an institution that can arrange strong foundations for true democracy.

Sayed-Khaiyum added that instead lawyers should advise their clients to go to trial in respect of the charges laid.

He also said that even though the numerous challenges against the interim government are a waste of resources, it is encouraging to see that so many litigants continue to have faith in the judiciary.