Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has urged former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama to reflect on the pain and unjust treatment experienced by some Fiji National Provident Fund pensioners when their benefits were reduced in 2012. In a recent column, Rabuka said he has personally forgiven Bainimarama’s decision, even though many who lived with the consequences may not be ready to do so.
Rabuka framed the issue as a matter of moral courage, saying that acknowledging the suffering caused and demonstrating a sense of atonement would bring dignity and justice to those whose lives were affected. He noted that since August 2024, the government has backdated pensions and provided relief to long-struggling retirees, calling it part of a commitment to ensure affected pensioners receive what they rightfully deserve.
Responding to a public letter that criticized Bainimarama’s bid to seek gratuity payments in light of the pension cuts, Rabuka said he respected the writer’s views and again urged Bainimarama to consider the human cost of his past decisions. Rabuka also recalled losing his own prime ministerial pension at the time, saying he believed he had done nothing wrong but accepted the decision nonetheless. He added that he is now guided by a doctrine of forgiveness—“let love shine”—and has moved to forgive.
This appeal aligns with Rabuka’s broader push for national healing. In recent days he has publicly acknowledged his own role in Fiji’s tumultuous history dating back to 1987, sought forgiveness from families affected by the 2000 mutiny, and expressed gratitude for the chance to advance a Truth and Reconciliation Commission—an initiative recently endorsed by outgoing President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. He also attempted to include Bainimarama and former police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho in a reconciliation ceremony, though they ultimately did not attend due to procedural constraints, underscoring the complexities of reconciliation in practice.
Comment and context: By pairing material redress for retirees with a call for moral accountability, Rabuka is advancing a restorative approach—one that aims to correct past harms while encouraging leaders to publicly acknowledge the consequences of their decisions. If Bainimarama responds constructively, it could strengthen a culture of accountability and support Fiji’s ongoing reconciliation efforts. The backdating of pensions represents a tangible step toward fairness for those who bore the brunt of the 2012 cuts, while the Truth and Reconciliation process offers a forum for wider healing.
Positive outlook: The combination of policy action for pensioners, open acknowledgment of past wrongs, and a structured path for reconciliation signals a potential turning point. If sustained, these efforts can help rebuild trust, deliver justice to affected retirees, and move the country toward a more unified future.
Summary: Rabuka urged Bainimarama to acknowledge the suffering caused by the 2012 pension cuts, highlighted the government’s backdating of pensions since August 2024, and situated his appeal within a broader reconciliation agenda that includes forgiveness, accountability, and the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
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