Great start
THE 2026 Skipper Cup competition started on the best note.
The scores between our top 10 provincial teams showed the intensity of the competition that has produced players who have starred for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua. Former skipper Tevita Ikanivere and Taniela Rakuro, who played for Suva and Nadroga respectively, are classic examples. Suva started well, edging Ba 28-26. Defending champion Malolo had to dig deep to beat a fiery Taveuni outfit 24-23, while Nadi shrugged off a tough Kadavu challenge to win 19-15. Kadavu played their hearts out. Tailevu also edged Navosa 27-26, while Nadroga overcame Lautoka 24-23. Only Naitasiri was able to record a big margin (31-15). The closeness of the margins shows that the teams have become prepared and just like Malolo, who won last year’s Skipper Cup, we could have a new champion. The Skipper Cup is building up to be exciting. Round one thrilled! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Please vote wisely
With 10 registered political parties preparing to contest the next general election, voters have a responsibility to carefully choose the candidates they believe will best represent the people of Fiji and move the nation forward. Many of these parties are populated by recycled political figures, some with far from distinguished records, yet they continue attempting to remain relevant in Fiji’s political landscape. The newly formed People First Party, an offshoot of the now defunct and dictatorial FijiFirst administration and led by Inia Seruiratu, largely comprises former FijiFirst affiliates. Perhaps most strikingly, the party also includes a former FijiFirst minister who was terminated from his ministerial position by the Bainimarama regime. Ironically, this same individual once referred to Bainimarama as a “messiah”. One has to wonder why any political party would expect ordinary Fijians to vote for them? Absurd indeed. Then there was the recent social media interview with an aspiring NeXTGEN Alliance Party candidate who confidently declared that, if elected to government, he would lobby to send all Bangladeshis back to their country. I nearly burst out laughing. Fiji is grappling with a host of pressing national challenges: rising unemployment, increasing poverty, violent crime, public drinking, the struggling sugar industry, worsening non-communicable diseases, deteriorating infrastructure, and a sluggish economy. Yet this political hopeful appears to believe that deportation should take precedence over these critical bread and butter issues. With such a questionable sense of priorities, I’m sure he will “go places.” Oh and is there still a political party planning to campaign on declaring Fiji a Christian state and imposing a nationwide Sunday ban? If so, perhaps they should also explain how those proposals will reduce the cost of living, create jobs, improve healthcare, or repair our roads. The next election is about choosing competent leaders. Fiji deserves politicians with integrity, honesty, sound judgment, and practical solutions to the country’s real problems. Please vote wisely for a stable, coup free Fiji. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Will you ACT?
In a world where change is relentless, standing still is often the fastest way to fall behind and remain uncompetitive. I’d just finished reading something that a senior minister in the Fijian Government had posted about Fijian rugby. After I’d finished reading it, this thought just dropped into my mind. There are three simple letters that may hold the key not only to lifting you up after facing a serious obstacle or adversity in life, but it could also guide you to successfully navigating the challenges and building your confidence to achieving success. ACT = Adapt. Create. Trust. Adapt. Every setback, disruption and unexpected challenge is asking the same question: Can you adjust? Are you adaptable? Those who adapt don’t merely survive. They thrive and position themselves to push through adversity and challenges while others remain trapped in yesterday’s thinking. Create. Once you’ve adapted, don’t settle for the status quo. Innovation begins when ordinary people dare to think differently and act differently. Every breakthrough, every business success, every sporting triumph and every personal victory started as an idea in someone’s mind. Creativity isn’t a gift for a chosen few. It’s a muscle waiting to be exercised. And that old saying holds true about using our muscles. If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Trust. Adaptation and creativity mean little without trust. Trust is the invisible force that binds teams, strengthens families, builds businesses and inspires great leaders. It’s the glue that transforms individual effort into collective achievement. Without trust, even the brightest ideas eventually crumble. Whether you’re leading a company, competing on the sporting field or simply navigating life’s uncertainties, remember this simple formula: Adapt to the challenge. Create the solution. Trust the process and trust each other. Success rarely belongs to the strongest or the smartest. More often, it belongs to those who choose to ACT. “Life doesn’t ask whether you’re ready. It simply asks whether you’ll ACT.” Colin Deoki Australia
Deputy PM again
Manoa Kamkamica, one of the three deputy PMs, resigned after being charged. He became deputy PM again after winning his case, but did it make any difference to the running of the Government? Even when we had three deputy PMs, the acting PM post was given to Filimoni Vosarogo or to Ro Filipe Tuisawau. It just shows it is actually a useless post. As for giving the Sugar Minister job back to Charan Jeath Singh, it raises the question: why was he sidelined? Sukha Singh Labasa
Name change
Nauru has officially and proudly changed its name to match its indigenous pronunciation “Naoero”. Took some time but they removed the colonial effect. Dan Urai Lautoka
Fuel price
If you look at last month’s fuel prices and just look at the pre-mix and unleaded prices, there was a drop in the unleaded price while the premix remained the same as the previous month’s price. Then you look at this month’s price. There is a drop in both fuel prices. There is a difference of two cents only. My conclusion is there is no fuel price formula. Answer me FCCC if you can. Sukha Singh Labasa
Planning completion
THE Fiji Times journalist Repeka Nasiko has a slightly misleading headline over her article on the Lautoka pool. “Lautoka pool set for August completion”. Before readers rush out to get their swimming gear, they should know the completion refers to council’s scope of works. Less talk, more action please LCC. Terry Hulme Yadua
Yes you are correct. The ‘completion’ in the headline was about the ‘scope of works’. – Editor
Party declaration
I’m excitedly waiting for each political party’s manifesto containing glorious promises. It’s just like my tau from Gau, ‘lailai na dina’. Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa Lautoka
Maritime issue
With respect to the high chief of Lau, I totally agree with his comments that it is overdue and the Government, or the next one for that matter, needs to seriously invest in the safety of our citizens traveling around the outer islands. Had the past or present government invested in vessels to provide service to our islanders, these would have doubled up as medical service and watchdog to keep an eye on drugs being smuggled unto our shores. Edward Kumar Lautoka
Inclusive adult diaper sizes
It is time for manufacturers and suppliers in Fiji to recognise a growing but often overlooked need in our communities — the availability of plus-size adult diapers. Recently, a family searching for adult diapers for a 50-year-old woman discovered that while standard sizes were readily available, there were no suitable options for individuals requiring larger sizes. This is not merely an inconvenience; it is a matter of dignity, comfort, and healthcare. People requiring adult diapers include those recovering from surgery, individuals living with disabilities, patients with chronic illnesses, postpartum mothers with medical complications, and older adults. These needs are not limited by body size. Yet, plus-size individuals are left with few or no practical options, forcing families to improvise or go without products that are essential for daily living. Fiji has made significant progress in promoting inclusivity in many areas. Our healthcare products should reflect the same values. As obesity rates and lifestyle-related health conditions continue to rise globally and locally, the demand for larger-sized medical and personal care products is likely to increase. Manufacturers, pharmacies, and retailers should see this not only as a social responsibility but also as a genuine market opportunity. By introducing plus-size adult diapers, businesses would be supporting vulnerable members of our society while expanding their customer base. A product that provides comfort, confidence, and dignity can make a world of difference to someone facing health challenges. I hope local manufacturers, importers, and retailers will take this issue seriously and consider expanding their product ranges. No one should have to compromise their dignity simply because an appropriate size is unavailable. Ashwini Basant Nausori
Fake accounts
Earlier yesterday, a Facebook account operating under the name “Ratu Ilaisa Sema” published a false death notice claiming that Seremaia Tuiteci had passed away. Within minutes, members of the public challenged the claim, noting that Mr Tuiteci had posted on his own Facebook account only a few hours earlier. The post was subsequently deleted and replaced with an apology. While the apology may have closed this particular episode, it should not close the broader conversation. The incident once again highlights the growing problem of fake social media accounts and the real harm they can inflict on individuals and the wider community. For some time now, there have been repeated public calls for stronger action against fake accounts that circulate misinformation, inflammatory commentary and content that appears designed to deepen social divisions. The account using the name “Ratu Ilaisa Sema” is among the more well-known examples, having gained a reputation for posting provocative material that may be regarded as divisive. To its credit, the Online Safety Commission has previously worked with Meta to remove accounts of concern, including one operating under the “Ratu Ilaisa Sema” name. However, the ease with which such accounts appear to resurface demonstrates that account removal, while necessary, is not sufficient on its own. This raises an important question: what happens after an account is removed? Is there a broader strategy to identify and hold accountable the individuals behind fake accounts that repeatedly spread harmful misinformation or deliberately seek to deceive the public? If not, should this be an area for legislative reform? Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of any democratic society, but it has never been synonymous with freedom from responsibility. Deliberately fabricating a person’s death is not political commentary. It is misinformation that causes unnecessary distress to families, friends and the wider public, while further eroding trust in online information. The challenge before us is not simply how to remove fake accounts, but how to discourage their creation in the first place. Without meaningful consequences for those who repeatedly abuse social media platforms to spread falsehoods and inflame tensions, we risk allowing a culture of online impunity to take root. The false death notice concerning Mr Tuiteci should serve as more than a passing controversy. It should prompt a serious national discussion about whether Fiji’s current legal and regulatory framework is adequately equipped to deal with those who weaponise anonymity to spread misinformation and undermine social cohesion. Lastly, as we enter the election season, it is important that we reject narratives that serve only to cause harm and division in our society. Our nation will not progress if we continue to entertain deliberate falsehoods. We must choose facts over fear, and unity over division, if we are to build the Fiji we all want. Ratu Manoa Rokotavaga Raiwai, Suva
