After his installation Ratu Sakiusa clarifies stand on the 2000 coup, village apology

The newly-installed Tui Naloto, Ratu Sakiusa Verebasaga, said he did not support what George Speight did in the 2000 coup.

Speaking to the Fiji Sun soon after his installation yesterday at Naivicula Village in Tailevu North, he said he had to take the people of Naivicula to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) camp in 2000 to present their apology (matanigasau) to the then Commander who was also the Head of the Interim Military Government.

Ratu Sakiusa said his people were led blindly to support Mr Speight especially when he was from Naivicula Village.

“What Mr Speight did had painted a bad image on the village which made us go to the RFMF to apologise and offer our support for the Commander,” he said.

The Tui Naloto said what Mr Speight did was now history and they fully supported the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama-led Government.

“This Government had taken care of the peoples’ welfare and had also listened to what they wanted.”

He however said while Government had protected the iTaukei rights he was a bit concerned with some decrees relating to iTaukei affairs.

“What I believe is that some of the iTaukei powers have been taken away,” Ratu Sakiusa said.

On this subject the Prime Minister and Minister for the iTaukei Affairs had already given his assurance that the iTaukei rights are well protected under the Constitution.

Speaking to the people of Naloto, Ratu Sakiusa said he needed their support especially the heads of each clan.

He said they should be faithful in whatever they did and at all times fear the Almighty God.

The almighty, he said, would lead the way for the Naloto district which is made up of the villages of Naivicula, Namau, Nasau and Naveicovatu.

Ratu Sakiusa was a former supervisor at the Vatukoula Gold Mines where he had worked for 36 years.

Edited by: Manasa Kalouniviti

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