Rabuka apologises on behalf of Speight and Bainimarama, and also says he started the coup culture

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he was the one that started the coup culture in the country after leading some soldiers during the May 14th 1987 coup, and has also apologised for his actions, and those of George Speight and former Prime Minister and former RFMF Commander Voreqe Bainimarama.

However, Leader of Opposition Inia Seruiratu says through the truth and reconciliation process regarding the coups and mutiny in Fiji, people have sought forgiveness, but what haunts them is that they have not revealed the truth.

While speaking at the reconciliation and restoration service at the Queen Elizabeth Barrack on Saturday, Rabuka asked for forgiveness from the RFMF and the eight families who had lost their loved ones during the 2000 mutiny.

He says everything that happened started from when he broke the law on the 14th of May 1987.

Rabuka hopes the people will have the courage and spirit to forgive him and those men who wrongly followed his orders in May 1987.

The Prime Minister also said that what happened at the QEB in 2000 should not have happened if he did not break the law in the first place in 1987.

Rabuka also urged the Chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs Ratu Viliame Seruvakula to tell other chiefs in Fiji that they have started with the reconciliation of the RFMF and they are moving forward with a clear conscious. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Inia Seruiratu while speaking on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan highlighted that people need to reveal the truth so that a new direction can be set for Fiji. Seruiratu says the Republic of Fiji Military Forces has been doing a lot of reconciliation, and he has challenged the team to tell the truth.

When asked if he is saying that the RFMF was used as the means, he says we have tried so many times in 2018 to get some information from Rabuka on who was behind the 1987 coup.

He says Rabuka should be asked again because we need to know about the mutiny.

When questioned about those who say to just forget and move on, Seruiratu says people are all different.

He says some have chosen to forget the past, but unfortunately, some still feel offended and hurt. When asked if he believes that the former FijiFirst leader and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama would be willing to come out and also take part in the process, Seruiratu says it is something he has also raised and the Law Reform Commission has the power to summon people that can participate in the process.