THE revelation by Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua about the need for the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) to reinforce its security systems will attract attention.
The remarks come in the wake of troubling disclosures pointing to the presence of unauthorised arms in Fiji. They raise concerns about how such weapons find their way into the country, and more importantly, what risks they pose if left unchecked.
Mr Tikoduadua was responding to questions surrounding the RFMF’s concerns about weapons in circulation that are not under military control.
The concerns were raised by RFMF Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai, who revealed that joint intelligence operations had uncovered an organised criminal network with intentions to destabilise the nation.
According to the commander, documents obtained during investigations indicate the group may be targeting key state infrastructure. Now that is a frightening scenario. Mr Tikoduadua acknowledged that Fiji’s geography presents its own vulnerabilities. As an island nation with extensive maritime borders, he noted that gaps in surveillance over the years may have allowed illicit weapons to slip through.
Public vigilance, he suggested, is important. Communities must remain alert and be willing to share information with law enforcement if it contributes to removing illegal weapons from circulation.
At the same time, the minister pointed out that systems are already in place to secure military installations and prevent breaches. These safeguards, he said, are designed to protect assets and to deter those with bad intent.
Encouragingly, recent attempts to infiltrate such facilities were unsuccessful. So, we wonder whether it is a sign that existing measures are working. We are reminded though about the danger of complacency.
In saying that, we look to the military to ensure security remains tight across all its installations nationwide. The last thing we need is instability arising from avoidable breaches.
Let’s face it! We know this issue does not exist in isolation. We have multiple challenges, including a persistent and worrying war against drugs. We have rising HIV numbers coming through shared needles and connected to drug use! We should know that the consequences of failing to address these threats could ripple across key sectors of our economy and society.
We feel much of the solution lies at the grassroots level though. Strong families, guided by responsible parents and guardians, should form our first line of defence. At the same time, we should be able to look to policymakers to create an environment that supports stability, resilience, and accountability.
Ultimately, it should be about a shared commitment to the nation. So, we urge greater engagement, a proactive mindset, and a willingness to play a part in strengthening our communities.
Let’s foster responsibility and encourage each other to do the right thing. Let’s build a safer, more secure Fiji.
Surely, we all want peace, stability, and harmony in Fiji. Our challenge though is going to be putting in the effort to protect what we value most!
