The Fijian Government has extended its condolences to the family of Ratu Meli Bainimarama who passed away this week after a short illness.
Ratu Meli was Fiji’s High Commissioner to Malaysia and Thailand and has served in various capacities in Fiji’s public service.
Today the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also extended its condolences on behalf of Fiji’s diplomatic missions.
Ratu Meli served faithfully in Fiji's public service, and rose rapidly through the ranks after starting work as a cadet civil servant in 1967. He was one of the longest serving officers up to 2010 – a total of 48 years;
Some of the highlight of his long public service include:
1. Longest serving Permanent Secretary up to 2010 – served for 21 years;
2. Longest Serving Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs – for 12 years
3. Held three major portfolios at one time – Ministry of Provincial Development, Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and iTaukei Affairs Board in 2005;
4. Engineered and contributed to the civil service reforms while serving as Secretary Public Service Commission from 1995 - 1999;
5. Initiated a number of work improvements in the whole civil service during his tenure as Secretary PSC;
6. Involved in a number of reviews of iTaukei Administration – the latest was in 2003;
7. Assisted in the implementation of community capacity building projects that were adopted by Government in 2005;
8. Initiated reviews and implemented initiatives for the improvement of provincial Administration;
9. Initiated and implemented the cultural mapping exercise carried out in villages around Fiji
10. Initiated the compilation of Traditional Knowledge and Expression of Culture (TK & EC) legislation
11. Headed a number of government committees
12. As Fiji’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, he was responsible for initiating important memorandums of understanding with accredited countries like Thailand (2013 MOU on Technical Co-operation for 3 year Technical Plan on Capacity Building and Assistance) and also the Fiji Malaysia Back to Batu Pahat Agreement, that provided the basis for the development and production of a feature documentary and commemorative book on the role of Fijian troops in the Malayan Campaign. He also spearheaded educational opportunities for Fijian students to study in Malaysia.
Ratu Meli is survived by his wife Sereani Degei and 6 children and 6 grandchildren.