National Championship and Flying Fijians
I wish I could fly but for now I will rally behind our Flying Fijians as they advance to engage in the Nations Championship in Europe. We need more exposure to international matches against top teams and our prayers have been answered for now. All the best to coach Senirusi Seruvakula and our Flying Fijians. Make it happen and let’s play our brand of rugby. Patience is a virtue as our eyes are focused on the 2027 Rugby World Cup. I also look forward to our best men competing and solid performances because if not, then our non-nonsense coach, will not hesitate to make way for new players into the Flying Fijians squad. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Budget announcement!
The nation eagerly awaits the Minister of Finance, Commerce and Business Development honourable Esrom Immanuel to deliver the 2026-27 National Budget which is a plan and an estimate of how the Coalition Government will spend and how it plans to generate revenue. Despite the negativity surrounding us, I’m positive that things will work out well. There is no doubt that the post-pandemic and sharp rise in fuel prices have affected the cost of living and that people are going through hard times. Hon Immanuel and his industrious team have gone through the consultation process, and a lot will be reflected in today’s budget. After all, a budget reflection is seen and measured in how it is delivered over the next 12 months. This budget has created a lot of expectations, but its delivery will generate confidence in Fiji’s economy! I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s The Fiji Times which will present a thorough analysis of the budget! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Budgets and shadows
Like the General Elections, everyone knows better than Government about the National Budget, both before and after the National Budget delivery. This time though, I challenge the Opposition, yes, whatever is remaining of them, to come up with an alternative budget. In fact, it should have been produced already at the time of the National Budget delivery. They do it in those countries we have dreamed of but not tried to emulate. Let’s start here. Shadow finance minister? Is there one? Donald Singh Nausori
Modi’s speech
PM Modi’s address during India’s Republic TV Summit on government’s meeting people’s aspirations is very inspiring. He mentioned that they began with connectivity – building roads and communication towers. People demanded better housing and trains – they built homes for the poor and innovated modern trains (high speed rail – Vande Bharat). Public hospitals were improved etc. Modi said as development occurred, people’s aspirations were elevated and they demanded better facilities. They continued meeting those aspirations. FCOSS executive director Vani Catanisiga’s demand for better health services, water and sanitation, infrastructure, housing, transport etc., should be welcomed by the Government. FCOSS director’s caution that election- year spending should not come at the expense of vulnerable communities should also be welcomed by everyone. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Supplementary exams
I sincerely believe supplementary external exam papers should be prepared by the ministry so students failing a paper could write the exam at a later scheduled date and not wait for a year or repeat. Asish Vinay Prasad Park Road, Raiwasa, Suva
Sugar cane farming
In reference to the letter (FT 25/6) by Dr Sushil Sharma, I fully agree. All sugarcane farmers should switch to cash crops for the local market or specialised crops like ginger or tumeric or something else for the export market. Better than living in poverty. Conan Hatch Nadi Airport
No to drugs
While we continue to preach on this slogan of saying no to drugs. I believe that just saying no is not enough as it is just by word of mouth. We should advocate on saying no and also include stop doing drugs which should now read as “Saying No & Stop Doing Drugs”. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
‘False saviour’
Mr Chaudhry who professes to be the saviour of farmers is treating them like sacrificial lambs. He simply does not care about farmers’ livelihoods and survival of the sugar industry. Avenai Serutabua Nabukelevu Village, Serua
Drug fight
Foreign Affairs Minister Sakiasi Ditoka’s strong call to take up the challenges to fight it out is for all of us. Say no to drugs and go for healthy food and drinks. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Urban rubbish
I think that councils putting skip bins in strategic areas in urban areas would help reduce littering. This would encourage the public to dispose of their rubbish properly and not throw them willy-nilly. Unfortunately, this would create more financial strain on councils but if we want cleaner urban areas, then we need to provide the infrastructure for it to happen. Conan Hatch Nadi Airport
Climate change
In Fiji, schools were closed due to the rainy weather. In London schools are closed because of the hot weather. It’s real and it’s happening. Dan Urai Lautoka
High price
I think the high price of imported vegetables and fruits may arise from their glittering nutrition. I mean they contain “Goldium”. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Peace talks
Why start a war in the first place? After many deaths, infrastructure damage and rise in fuel prices now both sides are going back to negotiate a peace deal plan for 60 days. Anything can happen within this 60 day period if either one breaches the condition as per the signed agreement. Hope for the best people especially the global fuel price is stabilised. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
Police, military operation
Brothers in arms
Fifty-odd years since Independence it is hardly surprising the Ministry of Policing (FT 15/6) and Ministry of Defence (18/6) dismiss suggestions of another expatriate COMPOL. Fiji’s last expatriate head of Police, South African, Ben Groenewald, resigned in November 2015, 18 months into a two-year contract citing persistent military interference. His Australian predecessor, Andrew Hughes departed prematurely in 2006 after the Bainimarama coup. Hughes was replaced in 2010 by today’s incumbent, Ioane Naivalurua (RFMF), who took charge of Prisons in 2006. He served as COMPOL until around 2013. PM Voreqe Bainimarama made Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho COMPOL in 2014, a position he occupied until 2023. Last year following a narrow return to power in 2022, Bainimarama’s nemesis, the indefatigable Sitiveni Rabuka, reappointed Major General Naivalurua Minister for Policing, in which capacity he has quashed (FT 15/6) the notion of replacing COMPOL Rusiate Tudravu (2025) with an expat. And for cultural and linguistic reasons, at least, maybe good reason. That said, Tonga’s police chief is an expat. Put simply, military and ex-military politicians in Fiji have had a habit of intervening in police operations, which has given rise to talk of the botched jobs and cover-ups which in turn erode community trust just when community help battling drugs is most needed. If I am not mistaken it is, therefore, reassuring to know military affairs come under the principled eye of Pio Tikoduadua (ex RFMF), Minister for Defence. Three things are apparent. First, several recent joint Police/Army drug investigations have involved horrendous violence. Second, this leads to questions of professional competence, probity, and line-responsibility. Truth and public trust require answers. Coincidentally, Rajend Naidu covered the same (Letters 21/6); so did Colin Deoki (Letters 22/6). Third, the noble “we’ve got your back” (in extremis) promise basic to police and military operations is also a promise open to abuse. Namely, concealing truth: a silence consistent with age-old iTaukei norms of protocol and respect. Outside of authoritarian regimes no police or military maintains functionality without public faith in their efficiency and good behaviour. Where absent so is co-operation. Trust lost is hard to restore. Lost repeatedly it is lost forever. Hypocrisy, pretence, cynicism, and despair set in. The other day Mr Tikoduadua said the “entire nation” (FT 18/6), “everybody”, was responsible for the drug crisis. He was speaking figuratively, not literally. Nuance wasn’t needed. We know what he meant. Everyone has a role to play while some share more responsibility than others. It wasn’t the moment for deep analysis of systemic problems. Nor is it the minister’s personal responsibility. Last month The Australian ran a full-page article (25/5) titled ‘Pacific drugs corridor striking at an island nation’s core’, touching upon Fiji’s HIV record, infant mortality and all. Two days later (27/5) it reported Australian police (AFP) said they no longer trusted their Fijian counterparts with drug cartel intelligence. To be fair, most of the blame for the narcotics raging through the Pacific lies in the Americas and Australia: producers and consumers respectively. For this we need trustworthy police, intelligence, and navy. Nevertheless, responsibility also in the islands where social systems and cultures strain to adapt to an interconnected divided world. Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia
