The new Rabuka

Politics- Fiji

Fiji PIVI plays a shrewd hand in his return to office for a second term

By Wainikiti Waqa

FIJI Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, found to be inconsistent at times during his first term in office in 1992, has returned a shrewder politician follow ing a snap general election in Febru ary. Criticised for accommodating an “over-sized” cabinet after the 1992 poll, Rabuka last month announced a greatly reduced cabinet.

From his initial 18, Rabuka has reduced his cabinet by six, removing four senior ministers while two were not re elected in the snap election brought about by the defeat of the 1994 budget in parliament in November last year.

Out were political warhorses from the “old school” Militoni Leweniqila and Koresi Matatolu. Staunch Rabuka loy alist Ratu Inoke Kubuabola is also warming the government backbenches.

When dumping the three, Rabuka must have been sure of their loyalty to him as all four hail from the same island of Vanua Levu. But as records show, the ruling Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei Party politicians do not take kindly to being dropped from cabinet.

Naitasiri politician Ilai Kuli and Lauan Viliame Saulekaleka became hostile to wards Rabuka after the prime minister dropped them from his ministerial line up one year after enjoying ministerial salaries and perks.

The two were later instrumental in voting against the budget which saw the sudden end of Rabuka’s first term, 18 months after being sworn in as Fiji’s first prime minister under the racially-biased 1990 constitution. Announcing his cabi net for his second term, Rabuka said he chose them on “merit”. Leweniqila, a minister who knew what he wanted and got it, was one of the few effective government members in defending gov ernment policies when they came under heavy criticism from the opposition.

His axing came as a surprise to those who knew him but as Rabuka’s uncle he may have been an easy target for he would have stood by his nephew through thick and thin. The same could not be said of Matatolu; he was the target of the newly-formed Fijian Association Party’s ridicule for claiming allowances “for 360 days” in one year alone.

Government issued a statement later saying he was one of the “most

hardworking ministers” judging by his claims. But his “deeds” were not recognised when Rabuka announced his line up. Retaining nine, Rabuka included newcomers Berenado Vunibobo and a high chief, Adi Samanunu Cakobau.

Vunibobo is a former administrator, diplomat and interim-government minister, who had lost in his first bid in 1992.

An experienced all-rounder, he is per-

ceived by some to be a better choice for prime minister than Rabuka.

Vunibobo is a definite asset to Rabuka and is widely viewed to become Rabuka’s deputy, as no body has been appointed yet.

This appointment may not be forthcoming as Rabuka may consider him a threat. Adi Samanunu, on the other hand, is a newcomer and has spent most of her life being a British Army offi cer’s wife in Germany, Brunei and England. She is the eldest daughter of Fiji’s first local governor general, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, who was also the last installed Vunivalu, paramount chief of one Fiji’s biggest provinces, Tailevu.

The Vunivalu is per ceived to be paramount of the country’s chiefly heirachy. Her appoint ment to cabinet as Minis ter of Fijian Affairs marks

Rabuka’s respect for the chiefs, especially its august body the Great Council of Chiefs. As Fijian Affairs Minister Adi Samanunu will chair all council meet ings.

After the cabinet changes Rabuka also announced a reduction in the number of permanent secretaries. Dropped is the Mara administration “headboy” Poseci Bune. At one stage during the interim administration, Bune held the top three civil service jobs being permanent secre tary to cabinet, government and public services.

Soon after Rabuka took charge in 1992, Bune was sidelined to the tourism ministry. Later he was transferred to health, before being removed from the list altogether and now sidelined to special duties with the Public Services Commission. Again when reshuffling the permanent secretaries, Rabuka said he was looking into their performance and was trying to streamline government expenses.

Rabuka’s new cabinet lineup is also historic in the sense that for the first time two women have been appointed minis ters of the three women in the govern ment team. Adi Samanunu is minister for Fijian Affairs and Taufa Vakatale is minister for women, culture, science and technology. □

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Vunibobo: asset to Rabuka