The leaders of Fiji’s 2006 military coup launched a ‘cleanup campaign’ and
set up an Independent Commission Against Corruption. So far it has brought court
cases against about 24 people. Among them is the former Prime Minister, who was
charged with corruption for his role in institutions designed to promote the economic
interests of indigenous Fijians (who constitute about 56% of the population). The
article considers what counts as ‘corruption’ in these Affirmative Action policies: a socalled
‘Agriculture Scam’, which distributed farm implements free to Fijian farmers; a
company called Fijian Holdings, which received concessional finance from the
government; and a Native Land Trust Board, which collects rent on behalf of
indigenous landowners. It concludes that army and popular opinion in Fiji hold
conceptions of corruption that are much broader than the offences set out in the
country’s penal code, and which the new ICAC is attempting to enforce.