FNPF ‘lazy option’ DR SUSHIL K SHARMA LAUTOKA THE Fiji Trades Union Congress is absolutely right to call the proposal to reduce FNPF contributions a “lazy option”. It is more than lazy — it is another chapter in a long pattern of governments using workers’ retirement savings as a convenient fiscal tool, while the very people who built this nation are left with crumbs. We have already seen the consequences. Today, 86 per cent of FNPF members hold less than $40,000, and 45 per cent have less than $5000. Thousands over 55 have zero or negative balances. These are not the outcomes of irresponsible workers. They are the direct result of policy decisions that repeatedly raided, diluted, or diverted the purpose of the FNPF. The current practice of allowing non-members and high wealthy individuals to deposit large sums into the Fund — earning overnight interest rates of 8 per cent or more — is a distortion of the Fund’s original purpose. A worker with $40,000 earns $3300 in interest. Someone depositing $1million earns $82,500. This is not retirement security. It is a transfer of benefits upward, subsidised by the very workers whose balances are already dangerously low. The deeper injustice lies in the 2011–2013 decrees, which dismantled the original FNPF Act, confiscated contracted pensions, removed courts oversight, and locked these changes into the 2013 Constitution. No Parliament voted for this. No referendum approved it. Workers lost their rights by decree, and the door to justice was bolted shut. Now, instead of strengthening the Fund, the Government proposes once again to reduce employer contributions — the same mistake made during COVID, which permanently weakened members’ balances. Employers save money. Workers lose retirement security. Again. The FTUC is correct: this is unfair, unsustainable, and unacceptable. Real reform will only come when a future government restores the original intent of the FNPF — a workers’ institution, not a fiscal instrument — and reverses the structural damage done over the past fifteen years. Until then, workers will continue to pay for decisions they never made, and never agreed to. Fiji’s workers deserve better than the so-called “lazy option” as described by the FTUC General Secretary Felix Anthonys (FT 31/05/26). They deserve justice instead.
Police Bill 2026 DONALD SINGH NAUSORI IS this the same highly controversial Draft Police Bill 2020 that the former prime minister rejected in March 2021? At the time, the former PM had halted all public consultations stating the Bill would never reach Parliament because it was released by the police unilaterally and was never cleared by Cabinet or the Solicitor-General’s Office. Back then, the Draft Police Bill had been withdrawn despite the then Defence Minister being photographed at the launch of public consultations on the Bill, an event also attended by representatives of the New Zealand High Commission and the UN’s development agency in Suva. More power to the police has been long overdue, and if the Police Bill 2026 enhances police surveillance and probe capabilities, I believe we are taking important steps towards realising a safer and drug-free Fiji. As for the question on the 2020 Draft, it is about the content, of that Bill and this Bill. A little curiousity won’t harm anyone I guess.
Ratu Sukuna Day SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI, NAUSORI THE NLTB, under the visionary influence of Ratu Sukuna, was incorporated in 1940, as the government’s facilitation and caretaker arm of the iTaukei land leases. The sole original intent, in my opinion, was to administrate, protect and simultaneously embrace, commercial oriented endeavors, for iTaukei resource owners, the founding people of Fiji. Today, it is the TLTB. Ratu Sir Lala Vanayaliyali Sukuna, I believe, was Fiji’s only statesman, with servant leadership character, who could have possessively withhold prime land plots, properties and whatnot, for himself during his tenure, died humbly, as he entered. A chief, a soldier and a statesman who placed himself at the service not only for the iTaukei, but also for the nation, in my opinion. Has his vision been legally consolidated and improved accordingly? Or has it been tolerantly compromised politically? The institution that was mandated as the custodian, I am certain, has become not only the landlord, but the negotiator as well. The saddest part is that the perpetrators, I believe, were 99 per cent iTaukei political and nonpolitical leaders. And to commemorate such a distinguished holiday, in my opinion, it seemed to look good only on paper. Literally, it doesn’t hold any substance. The rest, as most resource owners knew, is history.
Biological sex and gender identity COLIN DEOKI AUSTRALIA WHY does a birth certificate only record someone as being either “Male” or “Female” at birth and not cover people who identify as LG- BTQI? Well, I discovered some fairly interesting information to this question. A birth certificate has traditionally been designed to record a person’s biological sex at birth, that being typically “male” or “female”. Because it was originally created as a legal and medical identification document tied to “anatomy” observed at birth. But the issue becomes even more complex when discussing people who identify as LGBTQI. Some of the key distinctions I discovered are: • Sex usually refers to biological characteristics (male, female, intersex). • Gender identity refers to how a person identifies psychologically and socially (man, woman, nonbinary, transgender, etc.) • Sexual orientation refers to who someone is attracted to (straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.). • A birth certificate records sex assigned at birth, not “sexual orientation” or later gender identity. That said, many people argue that this system no longer reflects the reality of human diversity, particularly for people who identify as transgender, non-binary or intersex individuals born with biological variations that don’t fit typical male/female definitions. Because of this, some countries and regions now allow an “X” gender marker, amended birth certificates after transition or recognition of non-binary identities. For example, parts of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and some states in the United States permit alternative gender markers on official documents. Others oppose changing birth certificates because they believe the document should remain a “biological” record because medical and legal systems rely on biological sex data or they worry about confusion in areas like sport, prisons or the healthcare system. So the debate is really about this question: Should a birth certificate record biological sex at birth only, or should it also reflect a person’s lived gender identity?
Priorities and the streets DONALD SINGH NAUSORI OUR streets are seeing an unprecedented number of young people, many of them teenagers sitting with cups extending hands to passersby for “spare”, “fifty sen”, “loose”, etc. Where are their parents? Where do they come from? Where do they live? Now, come on, it isn’t the Government’s fault. Times are getting harder indeed, dire straits are becoming a daily thing and I believe these tough times are here to stay for a while. Are we too busy changing the Constitution and all the other Acts and laws? Are we too busy crying foul over the past decade or so? Is the past regime to blame? Is the current government to blame? Yes, yes, no, no. Those street begging kids simply show how badly parenting is failing. We have our priorities wrong. I’m afraid we’ll never wake up to this sore reality. A casual street walk has become a challenge.
Rubio’s India trip REUTERS reports (FT 25/05) that Secretary of State, Marco Rubio pressed his case to Modi that “US energy products have the potential to diversify India’s energy supply”. India’s television anchors are highly critical of the entire US Government policies towards India. Samir Saran of esteemed ORF (Observer Research Foundation) in his column titled, “The Fault Line in India, US Ties” sums it up saying, “America doesn’t understand ‘Equal’. New Delhi must respond with open-eyed diplomacy, not open hearted sentiments”. Please Google for details. This is the attitude the US Secretary of State received in diplomacy while in Delhi. The Western media reports on this issue smack of chauvinism and jingoism. RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Cooking gas THE Capital ran out of cooking gas on Sunday and there wasn’t any update from the relevant authority to the public, great service. AREKI DAWAI Suva Political concert DONALD Trump claimed that he is “much larger” than Elvis Presley after a string of artists withdrew from a concert series linked to his administration’s celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary (Yahoo! 31/5/26). I am sure if the Rabuka coalition mob organised a concert to celebrate its achievements in power since the 2022 elections and its installation as government by one vote it would be a sellout concert. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Don’t just talk DONALD Trump has written on Truth Social that negotiators from both sides “must take their time and get it right”. A simple and accurate statement but what is the full story? The only substantial concern is the nuclear issue and both sides seem unwilling to move on that, so all we are going to get is more words, accusations and distractions. The general opinion is that they should not have the opportunity to develop nuclear weapons but that also could be applied to all countries. The consequences of nuclear bombs are horrific as shown at Hiroshima and the potential to destroy the whole planet is too real. How can this be solved? Will we have to wait until President Trump leaves the oval office, or will wise minds step in? DENNIS FITZGERALD Australia
Memories from the 2013 Dubai 7s win! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU I SALUTE the Fiji Airways men’s 7s side for thrashing our traditional rivals the All Blacks 7s 40-0. Commentator Gareth Rees ran short of superlatives to describe the performance delivered by the flamboyant Fijians. The boys played with flair, confidence and passion as they re-ignited memories of that 44-0 drubbing of the All Blacks 7s in the 2013 Dubai 7s semi-final. The glorious days of coach Ben Ryan and our former stars Samisoni Viriviri, Waisea Nacuqu, Leo Naikasau, Samu Saqiwa, Semi Kunatani, Donasio Ratubuli, Emosi Mulevoro, Benito Masilevu, Pio Tuwai, Jona Tuitoga and current coach Osea Kolinisau came to the fore. Fiji led 29-0 at the break. I’ll never forget these lines from Nigel-Starmer Smith and Keith Quinn as the All Blacks 7s received a hiding and Mulevoro scored the sixth try via an outrageous offload from Tuwai, “Oh magnificent! That is Fijian rugby at its absolute best. Well, ladies and gentlemen, just get off your feet if you are watching this at home and applaud this Fijian flair. Isn’t this outstanding? Unbelievable! 01/06/2026, 17:00 The Fiji Times https://edition.fijitimes.com.fj/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=e4fad093-33c6-4e8c-8f9d-b19c68c8b31a 2/3 This is what makes this sport (7s) the number one sport in the world. Absolute brilliance from Fiji.” Back to the 40-0 thrashing, and I smiled when Rees described our handling skills as “wicked”. The hits affected the opposition’s momentum. The rock-solid win shows the efforts put in by Osea Kolinisau and Jerry Tuwai. After the narrow 14-12 loss at the hands of Spain, the boys showed great fighting spirit and character. As I conclude, I congratulate Reapi Ulunisau for becoming the first Fijian woman 7s player to score 100 SVNS tries. Ulunisau is a pillar of strength for the Fijiana 7s and her hard work and determination paved the way for this achievement!
