Rabuka apologises to veterans

Former Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka has apologised to members of the Retired Soldiers Ex- Servicemen Association Club who expressed alarm at his sudden appearance with Colonel Sakiusa Raivoce at the club on New Year’s Eve.

His apology follows a front page story on the Fiji Sun on January 2, titled ‘Veterans Slam Rabuka’.

Servicemen who were at the club believe that their presence was an attempt by Mr Rabuka to portray that the military as an institution was backing him.

In a

Facebook post on his page, Mr

Rabuka sought the forgiveness of the club members saying he was at the club to join a new scheme for members which was due on December 31, 2020. “We were not there for any other reason, and if we have offended you, I apologise on our behalf,” he said.

He cited the Fiji Sun report which said that some members were offended and had complained about what Colonel Raivoce was wearing.

“The article also carried the point that some were offended that Raivoce came in wearing shorts and that a veteran complained about that,” Mr Rabuka said.

“If the Club rules have been changed, I request our Club Managers to please let us all know. The rules I knew allowed short trousers until Retreat Time (normally 1800 hours) and after that patrons had to be in sulu’s or trousers with proper footwear, not including slippers.”

Mr Rabuka said both him and Colonel Raivoce have been financial members of the association since they retired from the army.

“We may have our personal differences, even dislikes, but I urge us all to keep those outside our relationships as brothers bonded together by our answering the call of our country to join its military forces, to serve humanity here and abroad.”