Rabuka wins general election
1990 — New constitution regarded racist is introduced and enshrines political dominance for indigenous Fijians. May 23-30, 1992
Fiji goes to the polls since the two coups of 1987. Sitiveni Rabuka’s party, the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei wins 30 of the 38 seats reserved for ethnic Fijians and Rotuman. The remaining five are won by the extremist Fijian Nationalist Party of Sakeasi Butadroka.
The 27 Indo-Fijian electorates are almost equally divided, with
the National Federation Party winning 14 seats and the Fiji Labour Party 13. December 16, 1993
President Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau dies 15 December; President from 1987 to 1993. January 1994
Great Council of Chiefs appoints Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara President and Commander in Chief, Republic of Fiji following the death of Ganilau.
Rabuka and the SVT wins general election. Fiji re-admitted to the Commonwealth after it introduces a non-discriminatory constitution.
1995 — News of the National Bank of Fiji scandal and collapse surfaces.
Between 1987 and 1994, more than millions was lent to prominent individuals and businesses that did not pay their loans back. Government eventually bails out the bank for over $200m.
The NBF was established as a government-owned commercial bank in 1976, taking over from the Savings Bank of Fiji founded in 1907.
September 1996
The Fiji Constitution Review Commission submits its 800page report on the review of the 1990 Constitution. The CRC was established in 1995 to review the 1990 Constitution. July 1997
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 1997 is passed by the House of Representatives and by the Senate on 10 July. The President signs it into law on 25 July 1997. It takes effect from 27 July.
1999 — Mahendra Chaudhry, becomes Prime Minister after the Fiji Labour Party emerges from the general election with enough seats to rule on its own. The People’s Coalition government records a landslide victory. July 25 1999
PC 121 flight carrying 17 people consisting of 15 passengers and 2 crews crashes into a mountain near Delailasakau while en route to Nadi. The plane crashes some fifteen minutes after take-off from Nausori International Airport.