Expensive fruits and vegetables
I am wondering why the prices of imported vegetables and fruits are so exorbitant in our supermarkets. Avocado $36kg, capsicum $24.99, raspberry $127.60kg, mandarins $25kg, tomatoes $29kg, broccoli $31kg, celery $8.99kg etc. Same stuff in Australia and New Zealand are extremely cheap: Cellery goes for 79 cents a head and zucchini 69 cents a kilo etc. Red onions and red cabbages are also beyond our reach. Hope one of our supermarkets negotiates a good deal with the suppliers and sells it with little profit margin and make it a bit affordable for Fijians. ARUN PRASAD Dilkusha, Nausori
Acting A-G’s promises
The nation deserves a clear and honest update from acting Attorney–General Siromi Turaga regarding the major security initiatives he announced in Parliament on March 10, 2026, three months ago, in response to the President’s Address. In that speech, the acting A-G promised the establishment of four police maritime forward bases — in Lakeba, Savusavu, Denarau and Levuka — along with the acquisition of four police patrol vessels to strengthen maritime enforcement and response capabilities. To date, none of these bases exist, no vessels have been procured, and no progress reports have been issued. At a time when narcotics are washing up across our maritime provinces with alarming frequency, this silence is unacceptable. The acting A-G also highlighted the Solesolevaki Ni Veitaqomaki — Matanitu, Vanua kei na Lotu initiative, which he said was being expanded across coastal iTaukei villages to strengthen community–based maritime vigilance. Yet there is no evidence of this expansion on the ground. No new training, no new equipment, no new community–level support. This absence of action is now even more glaring in light of the powerful warning issued by Gone Turaga Bale na Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua ko Lau, Tui Lau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara. As the high chief stated, our maritime communities have been left defenceless while drugs continue to wash ashore. His message was clear: Forums and speeches do not keep drugs off our beaches — only real, funded, operational action does. If the acting A-G’s March promises were genuine, then the public deserves to know:
- Why have the four maritime police bases not been established?
- Why have the four promised patrol vessels not been acquired?
- What became of the Solesolevaki Ni Veitaqomaki initiative?
- What concrete support has been delivered to coastal communities since March?
Right now, it appears that the parliamentary address was yet another talk–fest, with nothing visible on the ground. Meanwhile, the crisis has escalated: 27 parcels found in Lau, 35 more near Munia, cocaine confirmed in Kadavu, and youths across our islands exposed to unprecedented danger. This is not the time for vague assurances. This is the time for accountability. The acting A-G must update the nation — clearly, transparently, and urgently — on the status of the commitments he made on March 10, 2026. Fiji cannot afford promises without delivery, especially when our maritime communities are carrying the burden of a national security emergency. DR SUSHIL K SHARMA Lautoka
Weak governance
The PM has been blamed for having “weak leadership”. In fact, indiscipline and uncertainty were the downfalls, in my view. Even the soundest strategy can be wrecked by “weak leadership”. The greatest strategic thinker Lee Kuan Yew said, “I did what I thought was right. Not what was popular”. Principle, over popularity. The coalition administration, with the largest Cabinet members in Fiji’s history, lost 90 per cent of its governance period, just from internal political conflicts, embracing its own self-servicing endeavours and battling legal issues, in my opinion. The remaining 10 per cent, were the usual “shallow duplicative” solutions and whatnot. In fact, good political leaders, I believe, are not those who kiss babies, are photographed everywhere, attentive to dialogues, but avoid making hard, unpopular and unpleasant decisions, when it matters most. In my opinion, he has been engaged politically for four decades like a blind person with a sight, but no vision. And I am absolutely certain that the Coalition Government, like the previous ones, has also been under the influence of western imperialist and neo-colonialism. His political leadership footprint speaks for itself and it is what it is. Does the buck not stop with the PM? SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi
Back-to-back wins for women
Seeing the McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women thrash the ACT Brumbies 42-25 at the 4R Stadium in Ba was like watching the team way back in 2022 and 2023 when they won the Super W title after beating the NSW Waratahs 32-26 and the Queensland Reds 38-30, respectively. Those were the good old days that the side enjoyed under coach Senirusi Seruvakula. After stunning the Western Force 29-24 in round two at Churchill Park, making an incredible comeback, the Drua braced for a tough physical contest against the Brumbies. Prior to that battle, the Drua and Brumbies had recorded one win each after losing to the NSW Waratahs 42-29 and 39-17, respectively. While the Drua beat the Force, the Brumbies beat the Reds 15-12. The Drua took advantage of the home crowd and hot weather conditions and fronted up the opposition in the collisions around the ruck. They contested the set-piece play and worked around the breakdown. A solid performance for the full 80 minutes took us through. The intensity was high and the basics were executed well. Our kicking game was intact. Josivini Naihamu was superb. As we face the Reds in our last game away from home, we must not let the guards down and take that match like it’s the final. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Prospective
candidate
I agree with you Aren. Sushil K Sharma please stand as a candidate in the forthcoming general elections. We desperately need more people like you in Fiji now. People who love the country and fight for the marginalised. You will receive my eternal vote of thanks. DANIEL FATIAKI Suva
Online learning
The energy crisis is once again sparking discussions in the world of education. Can online learning be introduced for our schoolchildren in Term 2? If costs explode during this fuel crisis, authorities could close schools as I read in the previous month’s news. Our children will be aimless at home. Teachers living away from home are already in difficulty. NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Can’t learn
Finding it very difficult to learn from previous experience seems to be a huge problem with all Fijian governments and it amazes me. Sobo! WISE MUAVONO Balawa, Lautoka
Aborted violence
Former coup convict Josefa Nata told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that had it not been for Ilisoni Ligari and the CRW Unit, worse things could have happened to those held hostage (FT 20/6). He further claimed that it was through their intervention that the planned atrocities which included “the last carnival feast” and assassinations were aborted. Perhaps he needs to be reminded that had it not been for the backing from CRW personnel and the removal of arms from the military armoury, the coup would not have been executed in the first place. Their action is like setting fire to a house and then dowsing it. So let’s stop portraying them as saviours. For partners in crime do not deserve any sympathy or mercy. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Threat, Trump and sugar
Outstanding compensation
An outstanding compensation of $410,000 needed to be deposited into Nabukarabe clan’s account immediately or water supply would be disconnected from the Nasarava catchment area serving about 20,000 people. It is understandable the balance from $1,400,000 has been overdue after a payment of $607,000 in April. But the threatening message from spokesman Osea Waqanivatu for closure of 10 schools and the Labasa Hospital within the vicinity which occupies the land area belonging to Nabukarabe clan deems unprofessional. Innocent students and teachers, and many patients and medical staff members with other employees respectively, will be affected with disconnection of water supply in the area. This serious issue will only be solved by TLTB, WAF and Ministry of Lands with the land-owning unit. SARITA LAL Malolo St, Lautoka
Not quite appropriate
Peace negotiations to stop a war are difficult and a mistake in translation could destroy the process so how does President Trump’s statement “You won’t even make it back to your f***ing country.”, help the process. Bullies only have one approach, violence, usually physical, but of late, online attacks and they rarely give up. It seems that they are lacking in some way and trying to compensate. This war must stop, not just be put on hold, and threatening the negotiators is just wrong, and stupid. Don’t ignore it, he has initially placed tariffs on most countries, invaded a few and wants to ‘buy’ a few of his neighbours. Yours could be next. DENNIS FITZGERALD Landale St, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
Harvest boycott
I gather that some form of boycott is steaming up in the cane fields. The early ’90s saw a fair share of harvest boycotts led by the National Farmers Union which gripped the nation. Fiji had close to four million tonnes of sugar cane to contend with. The yields were good, the factories were running well, costs were manageable, and the sugar markets and the preferential prices were stable. Today, we have a measly crop of just slightly above a million tonnes, the costs have shot through the ceiling largely as a result of the US-Israel war on Tehran, prices are low, the markets are demanding better quality, the land lacks rest, while new stumps are needed in the field. A prolonged boycott will only disable an already dysfunctional machinery. SAMU RAILOA Vanuabalavu, Lau
