Passes away

Sir Rabbie served as PNG's fourth prime minister from July 1988 to July 1992.

He had a long and distinguished political career serving in many important roles, including as foreign minister in the early days in government, and later as the speaker of parliament from 1994 to 1997.

He was also a pioneering student and graduate of the University of PNG and became a leading figure during PNG's post-independence era along with Sir Mekere Morauta, Sir Anthony Siaguru, and Sir Charles Lepani.

A statement released this morning from the Prime Minister’s Office said, “It is with profound sadness that the Office of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga announces the untimely death of the Right Honourable Colonel, the Lord Ma’afu-Lord Minister in Waiting to His Majesty in Privy Council, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and Minister responsible for His Majesty’s Armed Forces.”

“His Lordship passed away in the early hours of Sunday, 12 December 2021, at the Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand.”

Former Deputy Prime Minister Sione Vuna Fā’ostusia, 68, had been ill for some time according to a Kaniva News report.

He was one of the leaders of Tonga’s reform movement and a colourful character off the political stage as well as on it.