Plea from a chief
In his statement on the commemoration of the Girmit Day, Tui Nayau Ratu Tevita Mara has delivered a very powerful and telling message to both the major communities in Fiji. I quote: “To our Indo-Fijian brothers and sisters, you are not guests in Fiji. You are Fiji. The sacrifice of your forefathers has purchased your belonging here, in full and forever. No politics, no circumstance, no passage of power should ever cause you to doubt the truth.” “To our iTaukei communities, our identity, our culture, our vanua — these are not threatened by the flourishing of our neighbours. A confident people do not fear the happiness of others. Fiji is large enough in spirit to hold us all.” (FT 17/5). Such words of wisdom can only come from a statesman who has the interest of the nation and its people at his heart and has the courage to rise above politics and communalism. That’s the best message I have heard from an iTaukei chief and leader on the status of Indo-Fijians living in Fiji after a long time. It has brought a renewed feeling of hope and sense of belongingness to them. If we only could have more leaders of his calibre and stature who has the conviction to put the country and the people first. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Drug war
Internally we are witnessing a law enforcement joint task force in action on the war against drugs. While it is a positive step to weed this menace out from within our society, the other question we may ask is what other mechanisms are available to positively support those individuals to really stay away from drugs. We have noted a lot of support initiatives from relevant organisations, faith-based groups, youth groups and other interest groups coming up with various initiatives to support certain individuals to stay away from drugs. Even in the schools, churches, sports field, festivals or events the theme “say no to drugs” has been used to support the initiative to stay away from drugs. The vanua, politicians and municipal councils have also piggy backed on the same to advocate on the war on drugs. We have also witnessed some who have testified in church through the word of God, how they have actually changed from a drug addict to a clean slate individual and now advocating the same in their own way. Externally, narco cartels are also studying what we are doing internally and they will always come up with ways to influence and penetrate the support system in place. The will power of the people of Fiji (population) is needed to not only say no to drugs but to be seen to be taking positive actions against the drug war for now and into the future. I believe if we continue to support such positive initiatives and other supporting mechanisms, we will or may stop the effects of drugs’ harm to our future generations. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
Teachers’ allowance
Allow me to write about the ongoing concerns in paying acting allowances to teachers across Fiji. These teachers step up, carry extra workload, and take on leadership roles in the absence of substantive post holders. Yet payment often comes months late, or not at all. This delay affects morale and undermines trust in the system. Teachers are expected to give their best for our children, but the system must also honour its part. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Civil Service are requested to streamline their processes and ensure acting allowances are paid promptly. Respecting teachers means paying them on time for the work they are already doing. It’s unfair to ask teachers to act in higher roles and then delay their allowances for months. Acting teachers carry extra responsibility every day — they deserve to be paid on time. If we want to keep morale up and keep good teachers in the system, the ministry must fix this matter immediately. Mikaele Leawere Galoa Village, Batiwai, Serua
Playoff push
The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua need a miracle to qualify for the eliminations. They need to finish in the top six. Mathematically, things look difficult. We have a mountain ahead of us. The boys face the Western Force who are beaming with confidence after their 19-14 win over the Reds. At home in week nine of Super Rugby Pacific, the Drua managed to beat the Force by two points (24-22). I can imagine the strength of the Force when they face the Drua at home. I recall past clashes between the Drua and the Force away from home in opposition territory — 34-14 in 2023, 48-10 in 2024 and 52-15 in 2025 in favour of the hosts. The Force sit on ninth position, two points ahead of the Drua who are sitting on 10th with 20 points. They are six points shy of a top six finish and will try their best to get the much-needed bonus point against the Drua. Looking at the Drua’s first half sluggish and eyesore performance, I hope they don’t repeat that against the Force who will be playing with high spirits, high energy and baptism of fire. As the Drua land in the City of Light, I hope the light becomes a tower of strength for the Drua and the team’s service and commitment will result in a great delivery and finish. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Blame shift
The fuel crisis is beginning to become a convenient scapegoat. Ain’t it Mr Government sir? Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
A diversion
I think the reason being put forward for the local government elections to be on hold (probably) is just a diversion. We should be discussing why it has not been held for around 20 years. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
The mynah
The mynah bird also came from India. It is a very clever bird. It will build its nest where it can’t get wet. These birds also fight amongst themselves at times, but they also unite if they have to fight a hawk. One bad thing about the mynah is if a human catches it and releases it, the others will attack it and hurt it for being caught. I would be very happy if the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs could have a T-shirt made with a big mynah bird at the back and presented to me in Labasa soon. Sukha Singh Labasa
Weak leadership
Mr PM, weak leadership can be attributed to unnecessarily raising MPs’ salaries, etc, I guess. AREKI DAWAI Suva
Unity in Fiji
The minister refusing to apologise over the mynah bird printed on the Girmit shirt design (FT 18/5) is not an issue as many may be thinking. I believe when our respected leaders are trying to unite all Fijians under one banner, such issues are minor. Let mynah birds remind us about their significance of being introduced in sugarcane fields. Let’s continue to work for unity in Fiji’s diverse society as our girmitiya preached and practised. God bless Fiji. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Promises were made
Promises were made and preparations towards it were in full swing. The voting public are now thinking of maybe saying you can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
Poll and energy project
Municipal elections
I am surprised that some prominent public figures have been surprised by PM Rabuka’s announcement that municipal council elections maybe delayed barely a few weeks after the Local Government Minister had said the council elections are all set to go later in the year. This dadakulaci kind of zig zag pattern of governance has been pretty much the norm with the Rabuka government since its installation in power after the last election. So, no reason for anybody to be surprised. I believe the people of Fiji are ready for the next national election to express their disappointment with the style of leadership and governance they have endured under the Rabuka Coalition Government, just as they did with the FijiFirst government in 2022. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
The delay
So municipal elections will be delayed, (FT 19/05). Our Coalition Government took us on a bus ride. Now they’ve run into roadblocks like revised low economic growth, downturn in tourist arrivals after the euphoria of record March arrivals, inflation, crime and social ills. Former CM of West Bengal, Mamta Bannerji during election campaigns would say, “khela hobe” (game is being played). Now the Bengal’s are saying: “Ab khela hobe” (now the game is being played). The same applies to this Coalition Government. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Waste-to-energy opinion
I read with interest the opinion article by David Gamble, the Principal at GHD, about the positives of the waste-to-energy project in Vuda (FT 19/5). I believe he used a bit of “smoke and mirrors” to get around the problem of importing waste from other countries. In his article, he said: “Consultation sessions held in April 2026 also clarified that the facility is designed to be capable of operating without requiring waste to be imported from Australia. Whether imported waste from regional sources might eventually form part of the feedstock mix is a separate question … and the condition that waste be non-hazardous municipal solid waste only.” He is essentially saying that the waste-to-energy generator can operate without imported waste but it is possible that waste will still be imported … as long as it is household solid waste and non-hazardous. Someone is taking us for fools. Conan Hatch Nadi Airport
Start the process
I believe the Government should start the kerekere process from Australia so that it can fund the local government elections. In fact, it should start the kerekere process to fund the general elections later this year or whenever it is due to be held. I believe Fijians are entitled to request assistance from their Pacific big brother. The money needed would be peanuts to Australia anyway. As Daniel Urai would agree, Australia has certain obligations when a country is not able to help itself. And Australia has carried out such obligations very well over many decades. Fiji would have been a basket case by now if not for Australia and Australians. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
