2 February, 2026, 2:16 pm Central - 30°C Rain

PM says it could be an option if commission outcome is that principal actors of coups are to be barred from political leadership

PM says it could be an option if commission outcome is that principal actors of coups are to be barred from political leadership

By Vijay Narayan
28/11/2025

If it was the outcome of this national reconciliation commission that those of us, the principal actors who carried out the coups were to be barred from political leadership, that could be an option, and it would mean you cannot go to the top by carrying out the illegal act.

Those are the comments of Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as he spoke about graduating from illegal actions in 1987 and benefitting from it.

Rabuka says he accepted when his pension was taken away by former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum because he had earned the pension after the 1987 coup when he became the Prime Minister.

He also said that we need to seek forgiveness through action, not just words.

Rabuka shared that he was thinking about the issue this morning that he is still benefitting from the changes based on the national circumstances.

When questioned by fijivillage News after the commission hearing on barring principal actors of coups from political leadership, Rabuka says this can be considered in a future constitution.

The immunity section in the 2013 Constitution, as stated in the Supreme Court ruling, will not be up for amendment.

However Rabuka says there should not be any section that allows future coup makers to get immunity.

He says that would be leaving that door wide open for people who may have the same sort of plans he had going through and risking it.

FEATURE NEWS
Malimali dismissal was unlawful, PM did not have power to dismiss her
High Court Judge, Justice Dane Tuiqereqere has ruled that the dismissal of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner was unlawful.Justice Tuiqereqere has...
54 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
3 year old boy of Burelevu Village drowns in Wainibuka River
A 3-year-old boy of Burelevu Village, Saivou, in Ra has drowned in Wainibuka River.Police say it is alleged that the victim snuck out from his home ...
46 minutes ago

Leadership Fiji celebrates 25 years with renewed partnership and leaders lounge series
Leadership Fiji has renewed its partnership with The Greenhouse Studio as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, marking 25 years of leadership ...
1 hour ago

RFMF to commemorate first female recruits of 1988
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces will hold a church service this afternoon to commemorate the first batch of women who joined the force in ...
1 hour ago

We will appeal High Court ruling - PM
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka has directed that an appeal be lodged following today’s ruling of the High Court in relation to the dismissal of ...
1 hour ago

40 -year- old Adi Lidia Radinakelo reported missing-Police call for information
Police are seeking public assistance in locating 40-year-old market vendor Adi Lidia Radinakelo from Naraiyawa Village in Namosi. Radinakelo was ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji in Miss Pacific Pageant
Miss Fiji 2025 first runner-up and Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, has been officially appointed as Fiji’s representative to next month's Miss ...
11 days ago

Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy - Dialogue Fiji
The National Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy by criminalising political expression, enabling state overreach and excluding young people ...
13 days ago

Shocking move : FNU reassigned under PM
The Fiji National University is being reassigned under the Prime Minister's Office Ministerial Portfolio via the Ministry of Strategic Planning, ...
13 days ago

TOP