Manikam Pillai
Manikam Vasagam Pillai MBE (last name sometimes spelt Pillay) was a Fiji Indian lawyer, football administrator, and politician. He was a supporter of the Alliance Party[1] and in the 1968 by-elections contested the Nadi Indian Communal seat against Dr A. D. Patel, the leader of the Federation Party, but lost by 7903 votes to 2772.[2] He later served as Attorney General of Fiji from 1981 to 1984.[3] He then became Chairman of the Fiji Law Reform Commission, serving till 1987.
Manikam Vasigam Pillai | |
---|---|
24th Attorney General of Fiji | |
In office 1981–1984 | |
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Governor General | Ratu Sir George Cakobau |
Prime Minister | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara |
Preceded by | Andrew Deoki |
Succeeded by | Qoriniasi Bale |
2nd Chairman, Fiji Law Reform Commission | |
In office 1984–1987 | |
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Governor General | Ratu Sir George Cakobau |
Prime Minister | Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara |
Preceded by | K. A. Stuart |
Succeeded by | Vacant Next held by Daniel Fatiaki 1994-1995 |
Senator of Fiji | |
In office 1981–1984 | |
Appointed by | Prime Minister of Fiji |
President of the Senate | Robert Munro Wesley M. Barrett |
Personal details | |
Citizenship | Fijian |
Nationality | British subject (until 1970) |
Political party | Alliance Party |
Occupation | Lawyer, Sports administrator |
Career
Pillay was President of the Fiji Football Association from 1962 to 1965, and again from 1967 to 1983.[4] He opened Govind Park in July 1976.[5] Associates remembered him as a polite and unflappable person, who rarely spoke during negotiations, except to propose a compromise (which was usually accepted) to break a deadlock.[6]
On 13 June 1980, Pillai was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to the community.[7] He died in the late 1980s or early 1990s.[8]
References
- Larkin, Philip. "Chapter 2: Baptism by Fire" (PDF). In the Eye of the Storm. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- Lal, Brij V. "Chapter 1: Inheritance" (PDF). In the Eye of the Storm. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- Fiji's Previous Attorneys-General
- "Kewal joins race for vice president's post", Fiji Times, 22 November 2007. Retrieved 16 November 2013
- "The Day Ba Reigned". Fiji Times. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- Tarte, Daryl. "10. Sugar". Fiji: A Place Called Home. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- "Order of the British Empire (Civil Division)" (PDF). The London Gazette. 13 June 1980. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- Bulewa, K. R. "Meeting of June/July 1992" (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) The House of Representatives. Retrieved 2 October 2015.