Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka reflected on the political challenges faced by the Coalition Government over the past two years, expressing his experiences during the lead-up to the 2022 General Election. He mentioned being unfairly branded as a “snake” and faced accusations, particularly highlighting the misuse of race as a political tactic.
Rabuka shared that both he and former Prime Minister Jai Ram Reddy endured similar insults during his previous term from 1992 to 1999. He noted that during the 2018 and 2022 elections, he and Professor Biman Prasad experienced similarly negative political tactics, which created a sense of fear among voters, particularly in the Indo-Fijian community.
To alleviate these fears, Rabuka emphasized his identity and connection with the people, stating, “I am Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, whose favorite dish is dhal and rice.” He assured that both he and Prasad would not have entered a Memorandum of Understanding for a coalition government unless they trusted each other.
He expressed a desire to dispel any lingering doubts about his sincerity as a national leader, especially among the Indo-Fijian community, reiterating the importance of unity as they work towards rebuilding Fiji’s future together within the three-party coalition government. Rabuka concluded by stating that significant changes would be evident in the electoral landscape by the time the People’s Coalition Government approaches the next election.