The Leader of the Opposition and SODELPA Member of Parlia­ment, Sitiveni Rabuka, says he welcomes criticism in Parliament.

Mr Rabuka told Fiji Sun after attend­ing a thanksgiving church service at the World Harvest Centre in Kinoya on Sunday that as he was one of the oldest MPs and did not mind the criti­cisms directed to him by younger MPs in Parliament.

“It has been a great week in Parlia­ment and for me it has been a test of my own resolve,” he said.

“To accept the blame and all the harsh words I had said is one thing that makes it easy for me to go through that is that I am one of the oldest in the House.

“When you consider your age and the age of those criticising you, it makes it very easy.”

Mr Rabuka has compared this scenar­io to when he is at home and his chil­dren were not happy with him.

“You have to adapt and look at things with your own eyes from their perspec­tive,” he said.

In addition, Mr Rabuka said the ser­mon was not only for SODELPA, but it was a universal one.

“Today was a universal sermon for all and it taught us to be courageous, trust the Lord, and it was not directed solely at SODELPA or SODELPA leadership. It’s for all who have been called in for leadership,” he said.

Not all members of SODELPA family were present at the service, but they did send their apologies.

“We thank the Superintendent of the Christian Mission Fellowship In­ternational for allowing us to use the venue,” he said.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback: sheenam.chandra@fijisun.com.fj