Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka reflected on the political challenges faced by the Coalition Government over the last two years, recalling the negative labels and accusations he encountered, particularly regarding race during the lead-up to the 2022 General Election.
Speaking yesterday, Mr. Rabuka shared his experiences of being criticized and labelled disparagingly. He stated that he has developed a resilience to personal insults, having faced similar experiences during his previous tenure from 1992 to 1999 alongside Jai Ram Reddy.
The Prime Minister noted that both he and Professor Biman Prasad encountered similar “gutter politics” during the 2018 and 2022 elections, which he believes cultivated a sense of fear among the Indo-Fijian electorate. He expressed a desire to reintroduce himself, emphasizing his cultural connection by sharing that his favorite dish is dhal and rice.
Mr. Rabuka highlighted that Professor Prasad would not have agreed to a post-election coalition without mutual trust. He urged the Indo-Fijian community to trust in his sincerity as a national leader and reassured them that they are working together to rebuild Fiji’s future as a united coalition government.
Looking ahead to the next election, he promised that the electoral landscape will be significantly changed from what it has been in the past.