Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka reflected on his experiences during the lead-up to the 2022 General Election, where he faced accusations and was labeled a “snake.” He expressed his thoughts on the Coalition Government’s political journey over the past two years.
Mr. Rabuka noted that he has been subjected to personal insults throughout his political career, recalling similar experiences with Jai Ram Reddy during his previous term as Prime Minister from 1992 to 1999. He acknowledged that during the elections of 2018 and 2022, both he and Professor Biman Prasad encountered similar tactics of negative campaigning, which created anxiety among voters.
He emphasized that he is aware of the fears present within the Indo-Fijian community and expressed a desire to alleviate any doubts regarding his authenticity as a national leader. Mr. Rabuka introduced himself in a personal manner, sharing a bit about his background and preferences.
He assured that the trust between himself and Professor Prasad, and the National Federation Party (NFP), was strong enough to facilitate a Memorandum of Understanding for their coalition government after the election. He encouraged the community to trust that they are working together to build a better future for Fiji, united as a coalition.
Mr. Rabuka concluded by stating that as the People’s Coalition Government approaches the next election, the electoral landscape will be significantly different from previous experiences.