The Moana Pasifika DONALD SINGH NAUSORI A 51 per cent stake in the Fijian Drua, made possible through a $6million investment in 2022, makes the Fijian Government the major shareholder. The Drua is certainly here to stay, and the Fijian Government must at all times ensure or help to ensure the sustainability and continuity of the franchise. So far so good. Now to a new chapter. The Moana Pasifika franchise is reportedly disbanding after the conclusion of the current season. Tonga and Samoa simply can’t support the Moana. I believe a Fijian consortium can be formed to bid to take over the Moana Pasifika franchise. It is still not late. Fiji could then have two teams in the Super Rugby Pacific competition, one the Drua in its current form and the other the Moana, also in its current form. We have had the Punjas Pacific Islanders team over two decades ago; however, that was a temporary concept. Fiji’s economy is strong enough to sustain another SRP team. Imagine the economic spin with double the number of home games, and two derby crackers each season! Sports tourism comes to mind. All the confiscated proceeds of crime and confiscated drug dealer assets can fund the acquisition and reestablishment of the Moana.
Drua defence SHALWYN PRASAD NABUA, SUVA OUR defence at critical periods of the Super Rugby decisive game against the Highlanders was rock solid even with 14 men in the field. After a long time the Drua can proudly say we played the full 80 minutes and boy or boy what a game of courage, dedication, sacrifice with a player down, sweat and pain. This game will go down as the Drua’s complete package performance of 2026 – the good, better and best. Ironically the defending champions, the mighty Crusaders, also have five wins and six losses yet their seven bonus points have elevated them to fourth place. The Drua have not secured a single bonus point and are outside of the top six. The last three games are crucial and the Drua must not just win but get bonus points to secure a top six finish. Rawa cauravou joka dina lave mai na rara … vacava tacina?
Traffic lights SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI, NAUSORI THESE vital road components are supposed to ensure safety, reducing congestion, supporting efficient vehicle and pedestrian movements, in my opinion. Are they actually operating as such? It seems, in my view, they are reflecting the opposite. Has the Fiji Roads Authority been using “outdated” signalling devices? They usually malfunction after 10 minutes of downpour. Does the FRA understand the types that are appropriate for Fiji’s usage? However, in reference to the rising volume of vehicles entering our road networks annually, I think that it should have triggered the necessary changes to meet the existing traffic congestion. What has been the FRA’s take? The scenario is crystal clear, that “timer-based system” has been the choice all throughout, in my opinion. Were the sensor-based devices too expensive? Or does the typical “Band-aid” solution mentality still govern? In fact, such unimaginable error, in my opinion, has actually contributed towards Fiji’s current traffic problems. And I am certain that it enormously affects the entire economy of the nation, for that matter. The late Mr Lee Kuan Yew said, “I am afraid of complacency. If you don’t know history, you think short term”.
Taxi services NARAYAN REDDY LAUTOKA LAUTOKA City was full on Friday afternoon as people were rushing to go back home after shopping and some taxidrivers don’t want to do short runs. I have been following the taxi and illegally taxi (pari) operators’ story for long and now I understand why people are choosing illegal taxi (pari) and why this illegally business is thriving. The legal taxi operations’ refuse to do short runs but these (pari) vehicles do that. I remember in late 1990 when dinghy vans used to run illegally in Lautoka and most taxis didn’t want to go to Tomuka, Topline, Banaras or even Balawa but these dinghy vans used to thrive in doing those runs. These dinghy vans were later replaced by seven seater vans and now hybrid and gas vehicle have replaced them. If the taxi operators have this mentality about short runs which is blamed on high cost of fuel, the taxi unions and association should ask for fuel concession from Government like the bus drivers did. No use complaining about illegal operators when the taxi don’t want to do short runs.
Run, but you can’t hide RONNIE CHANG MARTINTAR, NADI THE cold hard truth will take its proper course and time to eventually unfold. The planning, execution and importation of multiple tonnes of methamphetamine, cocaine and related hard drugs to bring enormous wholesale harm to multitudes of our innocent younger women, men and youth, took many meticulous years. Security at our domestic seaports and exposed isolated beaches, has proven to be most vulnerable. In time, I remain carefully and patiently confident our security authorities and justice system will reign in the kingpins (and queenpins too). Can you imagine when the real big names start to surface? They know who they are. Run, but you cannot hide. The “Scales of Justice” are on their heels, in hot pursuit. One day Mafatu. Your waterloo beckons.
World Press Freedom Day RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU I SALUTE our brave The Sunday Times editor for the powerful editorial (ST 03/05) titled “Fostering stability, dialogue and understanding” on World Press Freedom Day, which was commemorated yesterday, May 3. I reiterate the lines shared by the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres that society should protect the rights of journalists and build a world where truth and truth tellers are safe. Freedom for people depends on freedom of the press. Free and independent journalism is an essential public good. It’s the backbone of accountability, justice, equality and human rights! Journalists everywhere must be able to report freely and without fear or favour. When journalists are unable to work, we all lose! This year’s theme, “Shaping a Future at Peace”, is apt, considering the changing dynamics of things in society. Despite the challenges and changes, the fact remains that we must recognise the indispensable role our journalists play, risking their lives in extreme cases where they report stories on murder and drugs, to name a few. Journalists also play a vital role in informing the public, shaping national discourse and holding those in power to account. It is important to understand, acknowledge and appreciate the work of our journalists, who have passion, feelings and aspirations, and are faced with obstacles while at work. The 2026 theme centres around fostering stability, dialogue and understanding. Without a free and independent press, we are at the risk of being misinformed. I commend the unwavering commitment, dedication and resilience of our journalists, and I salute the trusted brand – The Fiji Times for being the beacon of hope and pursuit of truth!
‘Bear with us’ KUAR SAHAI AUCKLAND, NZ THE Minister for Health says “bear with us”. Now the question is for how long, it has already been 20-plus years since people have been bearing it. When everyone is dead? It becomes very hard to bear for a week and here we have been for years.
Municipal elections NARAYAN REDDY LAUTOKA WHEN will the writ for municipal elections be announced? The people from Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba and Tavua are waiting as many interested people from these districts had an informal meeting about municipal election candidate. Interesting days ahead for all municipality as I was told that a lot of mud-slinging is waiting to happen once the writ of municipal elections is out. Cans of worms from the past 17 years are ready to explode I was told.
The nightlife A SHARIFF SHAH SAVUSAVU THIS present generation is a nightmare especially in front of clubs and other night spots. I wonder what the future holds, if any, for them and also for future generations.
Human cost of war RAJEND NAIDU NSW, AUSTRALIA COUNTRY interrupted: War has triggered clinical mental illness in millions of Israelis (Haaretz 2/5/26). One in five Israelis shows post-traumatic symptoms, alongside sharp rises in OCD, depression and addiction. “We’re dealing with a chronic situation in which the country generates so many stressors that a large part of the population cannot recover”, says one expert. This human cost of war is not good news, is it? Wonder if the megalomaniac warmongers – Israeli PM Netanyahu and US President Trump – had factored this high human cost when they rushed into embarking on the war? You bet they hadn’t!
Between the line AREKI DAWAI SUVA I BELIEVE the standard and interest of those that are involved within the hierarchy greasing the machinery of the threewheeler Coalition Government has given the PM no choice but, for him to play between the line.
