Laufitu Malani
Encyclopedia
Adi
Laufitu Malani is a Fiji
an (member for the gonesau clan) and political leader. She served as a Senator
from June to December 2006, when the Senate was dissolved in the wake of the military coup
of 5 December. On 8 January 2007, however, she was appointed Minister for Social Welfare and Women in the interim Cabinet
of Commodore
Frank Bainimarama
.
On her appointment, human rights activist Shamima Ali
dismissed her as an "opportunist." http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=54872
Malani is the daughter of Ratu
Meli Malani, elder brother of Ratu Wilisoni Malani
, a medical doctor who was paramount chief of the Nakorotubu
district in the Province
of Ra
in the northern part of Viti Levu
.
Adi (title)
Adi is a title used by Fijian women of chiefly rank, namely female members of chiefly clans. It is the equivalent of the Ratu title used by male chiefs. It is in general use throughout most of Fiji, although on Kadavu Island, Bulou is used instead....
Laufitu Malani is a Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
an (member for the gonesau clan) and political leader. She served as a Senator
Senate (Fiji)
The Senate of Fiji is the upper chamber of Parliament. It is the less powerful of the two chambers; it may not initiate legislation, but may amend or veto it. The Senate's powers over financial bills are more restricted: it may veto them in their entirety, but may not amend them...
from June to December 2006, when the Senate was dissolved in the wake of the military coup
2006 Fijian coup d'état
The Fijian coup d'état of December 2006 occurred as a continuation of the pressure which had been building since the military unrest of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état and 2005-2006 Fijian political crisis....
of 5 December. On 8 January 2007, however, she was appointed Minister for Social Welfare and Women in the interim Cabinet
Cabinet (Fiji)
Fiji has the Westminster system - executive authority is vested nominally in a President, but exercised in practice by a Cabinet of Ministers, presided over by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is formally appointed, but not chosen, by the President: the President must appoint as Prime...
of Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
Frank Bainimarama
Frank Bainimarama
Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, CF, MSD, OStJ, Fijian Navy, known commonly as Frank Bainimarama and sometimes by the chiefly title Ratu , is a Fijian naval officer and politician. He is the Commander of the Fijian Military Forces and, as of April 2009, Prime Minister...
.
On her appointment, human rights activist Shamima Ali
Shamima Ali
Shamima Ali is a Fijian political activist of Indian descent. As of January 2007, she is a member of the Fiji Human Rights Commission and the Coordinator of the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre ....
dismissed her as an "opportunist." http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=54872
Malani is the daughter of Ratu
Ratu
Ratu is a title used by Fijians of chiefly rank. An equivalent title, Adi is used by females of chiefly rank.-Etymology:Ra is a prefix in many titles and Tu is simply "chief"...
Meli Malani, elder brother of Ratu Wilisoni Malani
Wilisoni Malani
Ratu Wilisoni Tuiketei Malani OBE, OSTJ, JP was a Fijian chief, medical doctor, and politician. He held the chiefly title of Turaga na Gonesau, or Paramount Chief of the Nakorotubu district in the Province of "Ra" in the western part of Viti Levu...
, a medical doctor who was paramount chief of the Nakorotubu
Nakorotubu
Nakorotubu is a district in Fiji's Ra Province. It is made up seven sub-districts or Tikina makawa, namely,Kavula, Nakorotubu, Navitilevu, Bure-i-wai, Bure-i-vanua, Mataso, and Nakuailava.-Geography:...
district in the Province
Local government of Fiji
Fiji is divided administratively into four divisions, which are further subdivided into fourteen provinces; the self-governing island of Rotuma and its dependencies lie outside any of the four divisions. Each division is headed by a Commissioner, appointed by the Fijian government...
of Ra
Ra Province
Ra is one of the fourteen provinces of Fiji. Occupying the northern area of Viti Levu, the largest island, it is one of eight Viti Levu-based Provinces. With a land area of 1341 square kilometers, it had a population of 29,464 at the 2007 census, the last to date...
in the northern part of Viti Levu
Viti Levu
Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.- Geography and economy :...
.