The change from the coup leader to the leader I’m now, I would not be the leader I’m today if I had not been the coup leader.
These were the words of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, when asked by Andrew Probyn from the Nine Network during the National Press Club event in Australia about how he has changed since leading the 1987 coup and what transformation took place afterwards.
Rabuka says that a repentant attitude, a different outlook on life, and reflection on the hurt he caused in 1987, have shaped him into the leader he is today.
He says the effort to achieve reconciliation and bring the nation back together was significant, particularly in the context of Fiji’s international relationships, noting that China stood with Fiji when Australia had turned away.
Rabuka also highlighted that his current role in national leadership has come after a long journey.
He said he crashed into leadership in 1987, later realised how wrong it was, how many people were hurt, and who turned away from them, as well as who stood by them.
When asked whether he regretted what he did in 1987, Rabuka said it had to be done and that it had a preemptive effect.
