The late former prime minister Laisenia Qarase will be buried at his village of Mavana on Vanuabalavu, Lau, but it is unclear whether a State funeral will be accorded to the former leader who is widely remembered for his sharp intellect and business acumen.
Defence Minister Inia Seruiratu said he was aware of Mr Qarase’s passing but did not know if a State funeral was planned.
Mr Qarase, 79, died at the Oceania Private Hospital in Suva on Tuesday following a short illness.
He was the founder of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party (SDL) and had served as Fiji’s sixth prime minister from 2000 to 2006.
Former prime minister Laisenia Qarase’s life highlights:
- Born February 4, 1941 on Vanuabalavu
- Educated at Suva Boys Grammar School
- Degree in Commerce from University of Auckland
- First job: Fijian Affairs Board
- First iTaukei to hold the post of managing director of Fiji Development Bank and held position for 15 years
- Helped rebuild the economy after 1987 coups
- Fijian Holdings Ltd was his brainchild
- 1994: chairman of Fiji Television before heading the Merchant Bank of Fiji
- 2001: sworn in as prime minister after a coup ousted PM Mahendra Chaudhry
- May 2006: Qarase’s SDL won the election
- December 2006: He was ousted in a military coup
- August 3, 2012: He was sentenced to one-year in jail for his convictions for corruption-related offences dating back to the 1990s.
(Compiled by Arieta Vakasukawaqa)
(Editor’s note: This article was published in The Fiji Times on Wednesday, April 22, 2020)
