Ro Teimumu Kepa, who usually attends Lau events, was conspicuously absent from the Adi Natuicake Festival opening at Kauvesi Park, Raiwai in Suva on Wednesday.

The Leader of the Opposition’s absence was also noted with the absence of the children of the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, a former Prime Minister and ex-President of Fiji.

The Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, officially opened the festival.

Many people from Lau voted for Ro Teimumu in the 2014 general election, helping her to obtain the second highest number of votes after Mr Bainimarama.

Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa outside Parliament yesterday. Photo: RONALD KUMAR.

In the past, Ro Teimumu was usually present when the Mara children attended a Lau festival. She is their aunt, younger sister of their mother, the late Adi Lady Lala Mara.

Ro Teimumu could not be reached for comment yesterday. Lauans at the festival had been asking why the Mara children did not attended the opening event.

Observers say Ro Teimumu owes the Lau people and would have been a fine gesture if she had attended.

The Adi Natuicake Festival has been revived after a lapse of 13 years.

Meanwhile $200,000 was raised in the three-day fundraising drive surpassing the $180,000 target.

Festival media liaison officer Isoa Qalitabu said the masi ni vanua o Lau will decide as whether there will be a similar festival next year.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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