Naiqama Tawake Lalabalavu is a Fiji
an Paramount Chief
and politician. He was the Minister for Lands and Minister for Mineral Resources in the Cabinet
of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase
, prior to his resignation on 7 April 2005. Following the parliamentary election
held on 6-13 May 2006, he became Minister for Fijian Affairs
, as well as Minister for Lands and Provincial Development.
In 1999, Lalabalavu succeeded his late father, Ratu Glanville Lalabalavu, as the Tui Cakau
, or Paramount Chief of Cakaudrove
and of the Tovata Confederacy
, one of three confederacies to which all Fijian
tribes belong.
"The Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unit Bill is about unity. It is abut forgiveness and working together. Above all, it s about the security of our future - different races, one nation. That is what the Bill is all about."
"As a traditional leader, I take slight that, at times, our traditional authority have been abused and exploited by the powers that be. While our traditional authority has always been respected, sadly at times, it has also been abused."
"For me, as prisoner number LB32/05 at Vaturekuka, is something I will live with for the rest of my life, without any regret or shame because I do not only believe, but I know, and I repeat I know, that what I did then was right because if I did not do anything then, part of my people who were soldiers at the Sukanaivalu Barracks then would have been dead."
"I feel there is honour and dignity in being sent to prison because the law says, even though I know I did what I had to do then."
"I bear no malice towards anyone, be it my jailer or the magistrate who sent me in or my political opponent. I do not hate or despite anyone."