Laisenia Qarase
Laisenia Qarase (pronounced [ŋɡaˈrase]; born 4 February 1941) is a Fijian political figure. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Fiji from 2000 to 2006. After the military quashed the coup that led to the removal of Mahendra Chaudhry, Qarase joined the Interim Military Government as a financial adviser on 9 June 2000, until his appointment as Prime Minister on 4 July. He won two parliamentary elections, but the 2006 Fijian coup d'état removed him from power on 5 December 2006. The 2006 coup d'état received popular support amongst the ordinary citizenry due to the promotion of racially discriminatory policies by the Qarase government which was also seen as advancing the interests of the I'Taukei (indigenous) political elite as well as I'Taukei Chiefs. Qarase is a polarising figure in Fijian politics and was recently jailed on corruption charges and served a 9 month sentence. He is controversial because his policies promote indigenous Fijians over those of other racial heritages in Fiji and therefore has often been branded as the most racist Prime Minister of Fiji ever]. A native of Vanuabalavu Island in the Lau archipelago, he is one of many Lauans to have held top leadership positions in Fiji. He is the son of Josateki Mate of Mavana village.