Rabuka Defends Jakarta Ties

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has reaffirmed Fiji’s diplomatic stance on Indonesia’s sovereignty, stating that while West Papua remains a matter of regional concern, Fiji continues to honour Jakarta’s position.

He said that Indonesia had respected Fiji’s sovereignty during its own political upheaval in 1987, and Fiji reciprocated that respect.

Mr Rabuka faced criticism from West Papua freedom movement activists last week during his state visit to Jakarta, where he met the Indonesian President.

The Government is taking a more diplomatic approach, balancing regional concerns with its long-standing policy of not interfering in other countries’ affairs.

Mr Rabuka addressed whether the issue of West Papua was raised during discussions with Indonesian leaders.

“I mentioned to them that a group came to us raising concerns on the West Papua issue, but we were mindful of Indonesia’s stance. When Fiji went through political turmoil in 1987, they stood firm in their recognition and respect for our sovereignty, and that is what we reciprocated with Indonesia,” Mr Rabuka said.

As a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), Fiji has long been expected to take a position on the human rights situation in West Papua.

When pressed on whether he raised concerns about the treatment of the Papuan people with the Indonesian government, Mr Rabuka said: “There is a Papuan lady in Cabinet, and we spoke. There was no mention of any of those things that we see on social media against what the Indonesians are alleged to be doing on the Papuan population, the Melanesian population. There’s a bigger Melanesian population in wider Indonesia, not just in Papua.”

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