Let’s prepare for Scotland’s onslaught
England received a 45-21 hiding at the hands of the Springboks in round one of the Nations Championship at the Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg. They turned that around by hammering the Fiji Water Flying Fijians 73-8 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Our opponents, Scotland, returned from South Africa. At the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, the Bravehearts felt South Africa’s magic touch as they went down 42-28. In round three, we face Scotland at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. Imagine playing the Bravehearts in front of their ardent and passionate fans! If the Flying Fijians play the way they played against England, we will be buried with another humiliation. The boys must take ownership. While fans are pointing fingers at Senirusi Seruvakula, I believe the players must also be blamed for the result. After all, we had big names against England — players who have been shining for their respective clubs. If these players can play like lions for their clubs, what happened when they donned the national jumper against England. There was no pride, no passion, but rather an embarrassing performance. As I hope for a polished effort against Scotland, I echo sentiments shared by French Pro D2 player, Setareki Bituniyata (FT: 14/07): “A tough loss doesn’t define who we are. It reveals the character we’ll need to move forward.” RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Nadawa, Nasinu
Immunity provision
Recently, several submissions were made to the CRC calling for the removal of the immunity clauses from the 2013 Constitution. It seems some have forgotten that the 1997 Constitution also provided legal protection from criminal prosecution and civil liability to those involved in the 1987 coup. It was a compromise deal brokered between the key negotiators in exchange for facilitating the transition of the racist 1990 Constitution to a more widely accepted multiracial constitution. In other words, it was a small price to pay for a bigger gain. Subsequently it put the country back on a path to democracy. Therefore, it would be most ungrateful if not selfish to say that the amnesty has served its purpose and is no longer relevant. Albeit, I cannot say the same for 2000 and 2006 coups. If anything, we should be asking for compensation for the victims of all the political upheavels for their pain and sufferings. Especially for the ousted members of parliament who were duly elected by the people. It cannot be denied that all the coups were either executed or carried out with the connivance of the military. Therefore, it would be meaningless to remove the immunity provision when the RFMF has the mandate under section 131(1) of the Constitution to ensure at all times the security, defence, and well-being of Fiji and all Fijians. This unfettered discretionary power is susceptible to misinterpretation. What happened to the 1997 Constitution can also happen to the 2013 Constitution one day? Nobody can guarantee it won’t. Let’s not forget the constitution is only a piece of paper. It will only take a decree to grant unconstitutional powers to an unlawfully appointed head of state to abrogate the constitution. A precedent has already been set. I wonder why the validity of the decrees are not being challenged in a court of law. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
$31m claim
Dr Sushil Sharma continues his excellent run-down on the economic state of FSC, (FT 11/07), especially relevant following on the frank remarks of the PS for Finance, Shiri Goundar that the sugar industry is no longer sustainable in its current form. One FSC question has puzzled me for the last two years. Then Minister for Sugar, Charan Jeath Singh on March 14, 2025, in response to a parliamentary question stated: “FSC is facing multiple lawsuits, one alone of $31m executed for a completely one-sided and reckless contract for a mere $20,000 annual return.” What is the story behind this comment? My gut feeling is that it is rail related, but there are no clues available online. Perhaps another one of life’s little mysteries. Terry Hulme NSW, Australia
Sugar industry
A leading sugarcane farmer says the sugar industry continued to support about 200,000 people directly and indirectly, with money generated from the sector circulating within the local economy. However, the money is not generated from the sugar sector, but it is generated through the continuous funding by the Government in way of funding of the FSC operations, writing off the loans, guarantees for the loans and various subsidies provided to canefarmers and other sectors of the industry. Despite claiming that sugarcane farming is no longer profitable, some industry stakeholders are clinching to their hopes and asking for revival efforts. To revive the industry, we need to adopt a simple business theory – grow more, produce more and sell more. Grow more: The available land for sugarcane farming has been on the decline for a decade. The number of farmers has reduced from 22,000 to 10,000. The profitability of sugarcane farming has been reducing each year. Under the circumstances, how can we grow more? Any further attempt to revive the industry must first find the solution to these problems. Produce more: We simply cannot produce more sugar if there is insufficient supply of sugar cane. Sell more: We cannot sell more without substantially increasing the sugar production. BHARAT MORRIS Vatuwaqa, Suva
Sugar still sweet
Clueless people say that the sugar industry is not worth supporting. Only the former Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh offered solutions while talking about the problem. Everyone else is making hollow noises. Don’t kill the sugar industry. As former PM Mahendra Chaudhary keeps saying, longer leases will bring confidence in farmers. Certainly. As Hon Charan Jeath Singh said during his tenure, centralising cane leases could be a solution. The State leads the revival. Hon Parveen Bala talks about diversification, and I agree with him. Ba farmer Arvind Singh has remained a believer. We have this supreme skill of dismissing anyone who makes sense. Uphill battle it is, against ideologies to shut the sugar industry. Our sugar ain’t sour yet. Donald Singh Nausori
Oath of office
When we’re appointed as civil servants or on government boards such as FSC or even SCGC appointments, we take oath of office. We swear allegiance to the Republic of Fiji, uphold the Constitution, and perform our duties with honour and integrity. How many of those officers linked to the sugar industry can claim to have performed their duties with honour and integrity? I believe most of them were there for their salaries and allowances as long as the gravy train kept on moving. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Budget forum
Rakesh Chand Sharma says: “The finance secretary, FSC executives and senior sugar ministry staff should go to Mauritius to study the sugar industry” (FT14/7). Perhaps RCS is not aware that over the years many of our mob in the sugar industry have already gone to Mauritius. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Identity debate
Dialogue Fiji stated that referring to Fiji nationals as Fiji Islander, is a downgrade (FT 13/7/26). A downgrade for who? The Republic of Fiji is an island nation and its indigenous, the iTaukei, have been renowned, referenced and historically recorded as “Fijian”, in my opinion. What is this downgrade nonsense? When “Fijian” is mentioned anywhere in the world, the iTaukei ethnicity is referred to, in my opinion. Not anyone else for that matter. It would only be a downgrade, I believe, when it is being used as a “billboard” for others, other than the iTaukei themselves. And “Fijian”, has been inherently engraved with its distinct culture, tradition, language, rights and institutions, which would be unwise for anyone, in my opinion, to violate, let alone downgrade. In fact, “Fijian” was not politically initiated or established, in my opinion, so it is also inappropriate to politicise it, in any way. Unlike the Gazans, I believe, who are Arabs, but for political reasons against Israel, called themselves Palestinians. However, anyone can be a national or citizen of Fiji, but Fijian, I think, should only be for the iTaukei. I believe it is not racist nor political, but a historical fact. Samu Silatolu Nakasi, Nausori
First win
The Flying Fijians have never won against Scotland on Scottish soil. Will this weekend be the first? Areh, go Fiji, go! PS. Fingers crossed and toes too. Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Insurance and rising costs
Medical insurance
Allow me to briefly comment on the National Medical Insurance Scheme. Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu, came up with a lot of good suggestions in his budget response and one of these is the National Medical Insurance Scheme which I would like to highlight some issues about it.
The scheme covers everyone
With insurance, all Fijians — village, town, formal and informal workers — can see a doctor without paying big bills upfront.
Protects families from financial shock
One hospital stay or surgery can wipe out savings in a private institution but with insurance it spreads that cost across everyone so no single family is severely affected by medical bills.
Better access to private clinics and specialists
Government hospitals are overloaded. If the scheme pays private clinics too, waiting times drop and people can receive faster care.
Encourages early treatment
People will go to the doctor early for diabetes, BP, cancer screening instead of waiting until it’s serious and expensive. That saves lives and money.
Supports our workers overseas and in Fiji
Our sons and daughters in the British Army and the many Fijian diaspora overseas sometimes send money home for medical costs for their relatives and a national scheme takes that burden off families.
More stable funding for health
Instead of health relying only on the annual budget, premiums plus government contribution will give hospitals more predictable money for medicines and staff. The main factor regarding this scheme is its related costs and affordability and begs the question who pays. If premiums are too high, poor families can’t join. If government pays all, it strains the budget but the onus lies on the authority to source its funding.
Administration
There is need for a strong system to manage claims, cards, and stop fake billing. Our health sector would need good digital records so money isn’t wasted. Importantly if everyone suddenly has insurance, clinics will be packed and we’d need more doctors, nurses, and medicines first, otherwise wait times get worse. In Serua, Galoa and other villages, people will need to actually reach a clinic that accepts the insurance. Transportation in rural areas can be a problem and people will need to know what is covered through the scheme to access their hospitals. Countries such as Rwanda, and Ghana use a mix of government funding plus small premiums and donor help. The goal is “no one is left behind” and these countries they all started small and then grew it. Mikaele Leawere Galoa Village, Serua
Living within our means
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says that Fiji must “learn to live within our means” (FV 13/07/26). Ordinary Fijians have been doing exactly that for years — many still earning $5 per hour or much less, stretching every dollar to survive rising costs. Yet the very leaders preaching discipline awarded themselves a 138 per cent salary increase the moment they entered Parliament. After nationwide outrage, they reduced it symbolically by 20 per cent, but refused Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu’s amendment to cut it by 50 per cent. So while workers continue living within their means, MPs, Ministers, the Speaker, and even the President now enjoy massively expanded means by 118 per cent. It is easy to stand at a podium and lecture the nation about sacrifice. It is harder to demonstrate that sacrifice personally. Leadership must begin with example, not rhetoric. If the Government truly believes in living within our means, then it must start with itself — not with the poorest households. Fijians are tired of being told to tighten their belts while leaders loosen theirs, and increase their waists! Before casting stones at the public, our leaders should look honestly at their own decisions. The PM should not talk to the nation like this, as Fijians have made and continue to make huge sacrifices daily. Instead, he should be thanking them for their resilience in times when the Government failed them the same 138 per cent pay increase which works out to be a loss of $11.90 per hour pay or at 120 per cent $10.90 per hour. I believe this is nothing less than a wage theft and PM Rabuka and the nation must be aware that Fijians are thus owed today an increase from $5 to $10.90 and that this was stolen from them by our leaders. DR SUSHIL K SHARMA Lautoka
