Thrilling encounters
On Wednesday morning (17/06), a 90th minute goal by Amad Diallo of Cote d’ Ivoire against Ecuador gave them a scintillating win. Both sides were equally matched and played entertaining football. Later between France and Senegal, Mbappe opened his 2026 World Cup account with two goals and Barcola with one, beating Senegal 3-1. It is now apparent that football players of African backgrounds will be dominating the soccer scene with their physical, fast paced and high intensity football. RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Tax fraud and escape
It is deeply concerning that a Suva-based businessman implicated in an alleged $20million tax fraud and evasion case reportedly managed to leave the country despite a stop departure order being in place. Yet, the same authorities appear remarkably efficient when it comes to scrutinising students who have taken out education loans, a fraction of the amount involved in this case, often ensuring those debts are settled before overseas travel is permitted. This raises an obvious question, was the businessman’s departure the result of a genuine administrative oversight by the Immigration authorities, or did someone, somewhere, ensured that the system conveniently failed at the right moment? Given Fiji’s growing reputation for corruption scandals and governance failures, many people will understandably find it difficult to accept that such a significant lapse was merely an innocent mistake. After all, stop departure orders are not supposed to be optional suggestions. The public deserves a full explanation over how an individual facing allegations involving millions of dollars was able to leave the country so effortlessly, while ordinary citizens are subjected to far stricter scrutiny over comparatively minor debts. Transparency and accountability are essential; otherwise, suspicions of favouritism, influence, or corruption will only continue to grow. Heads must roll! Nishant Singh Lautoka
Ministers’ travel and priorities
I wrote earlier in relation to PM’s short-lived ban on overseas travel by ministers. As has become too predictable, this was revised to suit the ministers and we now see the usual rhetoric being pronounced at all sorts of obscure forums around the world. It is interesting that the same ministers are too busy to participate in locally-hosted events. A case in point recently was the Pacific Oceans conference at Pasifika University where, I believe, Fiji’s climate champion on oceans, Inia Seruiratu, failed to show his face. The conference attracted amazing collection of participants including senior government officials from PNG, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. I believe Filimoni Vosarogo, who was also billeted to make an appearance, failed to do so. What a posture by the Government where such an important meeting was being hosted. I wonder whether the participation is prioritised according to the perks in terms of business travel and per diems? Altauf Chand Minto, NSW, Australia
Stricter rules
The Fiji Times continues to highlight LTA rules for new and old drivers (FT 157). We all have to follow this strictly or else it can cost a life. Cooperation first for road safety. Mind on the road, hands on the wheel, will save us from many problems. Better late than never. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
War considerations
The Pakistani-inspired peace deal to end the 2026 US-Israel/Iran war is almost sealed. From what we were told about its intent, no nuclear bomb was found, Iran’s national team is in the US for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Iran still controls the Strait of Hormuz. The US has again failed to force an ergonomic reset of the fuel supply chain of which Teheran remains a superpower in the region. Whether President Donald Trump was doing it for the global economy is an interesting suggestion, considering that the US is not footing the $300billion war reparation bill alone. Samu Railoa Vanuabalavu, Lau
Banned meat
If the sale and importation of lamb and mutton flaps are strictly illegal in Fiji, why are some butchers in Nausori selling it under “lamb loin belly?” Siding Consumer Council of Fiji. Suri mann! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Be smart
Never vote for aspiring politicians who want to offer freebies. Daniel Urai Lautoka
Village unity
I believe Mata ni Tikina of Vugalei, Kaveni Raikamata, told the Constitutional Review Commission that religious differences are already affecting village unity. And here the iTaukei, the same people are calling for Fiji to become a Christian state. Wailei, tou ia mada ga me tou viria na bai kei Jerusalemi me tou kua ni rogo ca tiko (let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace) sa levu nai valavala ca. Avenai Serutabua Nabukelevu Village, Serua
Relevancy circus
Leading up to any major event, usually there are certain previews of coming attractions. These coming attractions always portray the positive layout to interested audiences of what will be displayed during the event. As we head toward the general elections (GE), which will be a major event for Fiji, it seems that war of words has begun to surface on issues about anything and everything. Those involved in the war of words try to justify their views/opinion and at the same time downgrade the other person. Those of us in the sideline are now seeing the relevancy circus that will be before us as we head towards the general election. People, you be the judge of who you vote for in the next GE. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
Christian state
There have been a lot of calls by people and vested groups for Fiji to be declared a Christian state as part of the Constitutional Review process. I do not understand why Fijians would want Fiji to be declared a state of a vulagi religion. Shouldn’t everything in Fiji be Fijian? I always thought that Fijians were proud of their unique traditions and culture. What are these people thinking? Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Sugar and pension
Ailing sugar industry
Reality needs to sink in without further delay. To all who are directly involved with Fiji’s ailing sugar industry, we need to sit back and seriously ponder, where is our sugar production heading? Commissioned on or about 1886 and 1903, respectively, the Rarawai and Lautoka sugar mills, have gone way past their expiry dates. Both sugar mills a way more than a hundred years old. Do we honestly expect optimum sugar production levels from these centurions? As a layman, not associated with sugar cane farming, (betrayed by FNPF for 14 long and painful years, at the hands of Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum’s FijiFirst Govt), I try to read up and understand the plight of all our sugarcane farmers. Their numbers dwindle each year. Sugarcane farming, correct me if I am wrong, is definitely dying slowly. Let us not kid ourselves. Information readily available state Fiji’s “tonnes cane to tonnes sugar” is around 12 to 17. Our economic numbers fail to yield any semblance of desired profitability. Queensland, Australia today boasts about 20 active commercial sugar mills. Their reported “tonnes cane to tonnes sugar” is about 7. Wake up Fiji. Let’s be serious. Our sugar mills must be retired. Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, both need one modern sugar mill each. Fiji must “bite the bullet”, make the toughest decision and move on. Fiji Government cannot and must be the continuous “life savers”. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Admirable courage
My sincere thanks and much appreciation go to powerful and regular fellow writer, Dewan Chand, LTE FT Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Vinaka vakalevu for adding the strength and power of your voice. You survived two close calls, two heart attacks, in March this year, to fight on for our restorative justice and restitution. Your courage is admirable. Faint hearts would have given up. I salute you, sir. If Fiji is to be known as a truly democratic nation, and “the way the world should be”, allow me to now say, most emphatically, Decrees 51 and 52, must go. “Red card” and nothing else. Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka and his Coalition Government, must now dig real deep, find the political will, empathy, courage, compassion, respect and dignity reinstate every single dollar plus interest, over 14 long and painful years, robbed from every surviving senior and betrayed pensioners. There are about 1400 of us. There is more than enough in the FNPF pension buffer fund of $600million plus interest, from 2011. There is no need for any loan, taxpayer dollars or from FNPF portfolios and/or cash in bank. It is so simple. Make good now. Out of respect for his family and loved ones, I will not divulge his identity. Nadi has sadly lost another betrayed senior FNPF pensioner … aged about 78. I had the opportunity to speak to him recently. His voice was rather weak. He encouraged “our committee” to fight on and expressed his thanks for our courage, persistence, and will. Rest in God’s perfect and eternal peace, dearly departed. We will meet again — on the other side, one sweet day. (Tomorrow maybe too late for me to enjoy FijiFirst government’s “first class thievery” our own “paisa”). Tomorrow is never promised to anyone. Stealing is a crime. Will the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-discrimination Commission take up our cause for justice? Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
