The Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, yesterday described the late Ratu Meli Bainimarama as a wise and modest man of high qualities.

“Ratu Meli owns such high qualities; qualities that should be cherished and he was one that gives wise counsel both at work and at home,” he said

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was speaking on behalf of Government at the funeral service of Ratu Meli at Wesley City Mission Church, Butt Street, Suva.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said as Fiji’s High Commissioner to Malaysia and Ambassador to Thailand he was responsible for initiating important memorandums of understanding on technical co-operation and also the Fiji Malaysia Back to Batu Pahat Agreement.

Ratu Meli also spearheaded educational opportunities for Fijian students to study in Malaysia, he said.

“He represented Fiji in regional and international forums that were related to his work and participated in various training programmes including courses on public administration and management,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

Commissioner Central Meleti Bainimarama, who spoke on behalf of the vanua and family, described Ratu Meli as a man who made the right decision and was a peacemaker within his family.

“He always put God first and the vanua; he taught us the true meaning of love and he was a man who looked up to God for the betterment of his family and vanua..

“He would always reminded us to take care of our blood relations, vanua and family and most of all to serve God and love each other,” he said.

Ratu Meli, who died after a short illness, was later farewelled by family, friends and dignitaries at the Suva Cemetery in Lovonilase. Also among the dignitaries who attended the funeral were the President, Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konousi Konrote and former President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

Ratu Meli is survived by his wife Sereani, six children and six grandchildren.