PROTOCOL and timing prevented Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka from attending the historic return of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) to its redeveloped Bose Levu Vakaturaga building in Nasese, Suva.
In response to questions from in The Fiji Times A Conversation with the PM column about his non-attendance, the Prime Minister said he had sent his apologies ahead of the event due to a late start to Cabinet that morning.
“I had sent in my apologies, as I knew Cabinet would not rise in time for me to attend, due to the late start of Cabinet meeting that morning,” Mr Rabuka said.
He also clarified that he was not eligible to attend as a council member.
“I respected the ruling earlier conveyed to me that I am not a member of the Council of Chiefs because of my holding public office (being Prime Minister).
Mr Rabuka added that when the GCC was dissolved by the interim government following the 2006 coup, his life membership lapsed along with the institution.
“When the GCC was abolished, my life membership lapsed with it. Therefore, in accordance with the current convention, no public office holder or active political party official may be a member.”
He noted, however, that he could have attended in his official capacity, as he had done previously.
“I could have attended in my official capacity as Prime Minister, as was the case when I was invited to officiate at the opening of the first session of the council.”
Rabuka acknowledged the council’s renewed role in national leadership and cultural identity, leaving the door open for future engagement.
