RATU Jone Yavala Kubuabola will be always be known for his wit, wisdom and expertise in economics.
Opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa said this in a statement today while paying tribute to the late Ratu Jone who she said was a true and proud son of Fiji.
“Though a cool and soft spoken personality, he was steadfast with his ideals and principles and committed to the cause of indigenous rights, social justice and democracy,” Ro Teimumu said.
“These guiding values led him to continue to stand with us in the trying and testing times after the military coup of 2006 and in setting up the Social Democratic Liberal Party in 2013,” she said.
She said despite his loss in the last general elections, Ratu Jone was always available for his guidance and he never hesitated to share his knowledge and experience which was enriching in many ways for our Party and the Parliamentary Caucus.
“In his demise, Fiji has become poorer but while celebrating his legacy as a statesman and faithful servant of God, there is a lot that the people of Fiji have gained from him and can learn as we seek to rebuild our nationhood.”
Meanwhile Opposition MP Mere Samisoni said on behalf of her son John, the Samisoni family and members of the SODELPA Lami Constituency Council, they are deeply saddened to learn the passing of Ratu Jone.
“Those, who share his vision and purpose, will continue to serve the diverse markets of peoples of Fiji as he did, so well in his quiet, productive, and effective way,” Mrs Samisoni said.
“Ratu Jone Yavala Kubuabola’s vision will be remembered through a Trust Education Scholarship in his name,” she said.
The late Ratu Jone who was a distinguished civil servant who rose to serve as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji and then entered politics to serve as the Minister of Finance and National Planning from 2000 to 2006 will be finally laid to rest tomorrow.
