Salutations to a great statesman
Today is Ratu Sukuna Day, and we celebrate the life and achievements of a great leader, distinguished scholar, soldier, sportsman, and statesman with a far-sighted vision. The life of Ratu Sir Josefa Lalabalavu Vanayaliyali Sukuna left behind valuable lessons. His belief that the way forward for Fiji was through peaceful co-existence must be reiterated by our leaders. His life was centred around indigenous identity, culture and education, and bravery in battle. That signified his distinguished career and tagged him “the man of two worlds”. Imagine the time and being an iTaukei, the esteemed chief attended overseas institutions and became the first iTaukei to graduate from a university. Apart from education, he excelled in sports (cricket, rugby and boxing). This is a valuable lesson for our students that if we balance education with sports, we will shine. His commitment and passion speak volumes of citizenship. Ratu Sukuna’s concept of the “three-legged stool” paid dividends as education then became a sacred concept and was valued. There is a need to re-ignite this concept. His visionary leadership transformed Fiji. At Nabua Secondary School, the students demonstrated Ratu Sukuna’s life. The audience watched in delight as they showed Ratu Sukuna’s achievements, something that will motivate the young. The Indo-Fijian students also put up an item much to the delight of their iTaukei colleagues. It is important to reflect on Ratu Sukuna’s life and devise strategies to strengthen the vital connection between education and culture in schools to assist teachers in addressing behavioural issues! Ratu Sukuna left a distinct imprint on the sand of every facet of Fiji’s life, and his legacy is one that will be hard to fill and must be known by our young. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Nadawa, Nasinu
Heads must roll
Finally, in the august House, tough questions are asked. Generally, I am not a strong fan of the Opposition. However, this time I salute the members of the Opposition for providing long overdue oversight of FNPF’s investments.
The Denarau Westin Resort blowout to the reported tune in excess of $140million is one glaring example. Ten out of ten for this one. FT May 27, 2026. FNPF invested heavily in the Westin… and other Denarau Sheraton Resorts — including Momi, Natadola, Naisoso; major CBD developments in the two cities, Suva and Lautoka. FNPF bought shares in Fletcher Construction. Was there definite conflict of interest in awarding now incomplete maintenance and upgrading investment contract in Westin to Fletcher? I ask on behalf of the surviving (1400 out of 6000) senior betrayed FNPF pensioners from 2012, including the Fund’s 423,000 current members, who appointed the members of the current FNPF board? The Opposition members are sincerely thanked for so belated bringing into question, and oversight, FNPF’s dealings. 1400 surviving pensioners are struggling in our twilight years. Older citizens are forced into suffering in our twilight years. Many of us have no source of income; some benefit from social welfare — a pittance — from $156 to about $225 per month. (By comparison, the current minimum wage is $5 per hour. About $200 per week. About $800 per month). Talk about the survivability of older citizens, aged above 70, 80 and 90. FNPF today, say “The Law” prohibits them to look after betrayed senior pensioners. (Bai and Kai’s government in 2011, was not elected). I believe they were drunk with power and bullied their way through. We have daily food, comfort, medical and other expenses too. Does anyone really care at all? Anyone? Or is it pure lip service about caring for the older citizens. No NGO stands up for our restorative justice and restitution. Not one. Fiji Human Rights and Anti-discrimination has not uttered one word. Or have I erred? If so, my apologies. FNPF, former prime minister Bainimarama and his attorney-general and minister of finance, Sayed-Khaiyum, ruined our retirement to a painful level. We suffer. Members of Parliament today have the honoured duty to bring up the suffering of betrayed senior pensioners. We need immediate help. The Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka could not do it alone. Is it fair to now ask heads must roll in the membership of the FNPF board — from the very top. Denarau Westin Resort $140million blowout could be the tip of Fiji’s “ice-berg”. FNPF has a profile worth $12.1billion. Cash at bank over $2billion. FNPF has become Fiji’s biggest money lender; landlord and cash cow for Government. Their scrutiny and oversight is long overdue. Were they given a freehand in all their investments? FNPF’s prime duty of responsibility is to look after pensioners till they die. Taking some of the above into pertinent question, I may err on the side of caution, and ask, should heads roll? Who appointed this board? Now, is the hour … heads must go. They continue to fail senior pensioners in their heartlessness and cruelty. This is inhuman; unbecoming, lacking empathy and compassion. Most disrespectful, in my eyes. Children, relatives and friends cannot always assist the betrayed elderly. They have their lives to live too. Living is not cheap, today. Ronnie Chang A betrayed senior FNPF pensioner Martintar, Nadi
Grow food
The Fiji Times with pictures and reports inspires us to grow food with the family at whatever space we have in Fiji’s well blessed tropical climate and arable land. Farm fresh healthy food with exercise should be our priority. Food for thought. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Waste to energy project
Much has been in the media about this proposed development. There has been a lot of negative comments about the location for such a good beneficial project.
You published in your daily a few weeks ago that a chief from the province of Ra had welcomed this proposed investment be located in Ra as he has a lot of unused land and it will greatly benefit his people with employment opportunities. The Coalition Government can do the honourable thing by approving it before they leave Parliament as campaigning for the next elections has now commenced. As a tourist-welcoming nation, we will not have garbage in our streets that is very unsightly to our visitors and because of the extra energy output from this project, it will help reduce our fuel bill which will help our poverty-stricken households too. I sincerely hope and pray that it will be approved. Sam Young Norma’s Place, Nadi
All wastage
Never-ending meetings, seminars, conferences, forums, symposiums, workshops, conventions, congresses, round-table or panel discussions, colloquiums, think-tank and planning discussions, assemblies, etc. Full suit to look ‘important’, fancy speeches and eat and drink as much as possible. Meanwhile, all sizzle and no steak. Simply put, va lusi lavo, eh Wise Gaunavou? Anthony Sahai Levuka, Ovalau
Ratu Sukuna
There will never be another Ratu Sukuna. There can’t be. He was a product of history, with a type of upbringing and experience that cannot be repeated. Man of two worlds. Sa yawa. AVENAI SERUTABUA Nabukelevu Village, Serua
Rail versus truck
Reading the well-researched and impressive opinion of Dr Sharma on the captioned subject matter (FT 27/05), I couldn’t resist the nagging thought that we just might need another transformative award like the one Lord Denning gave us 42 years ago. Accepting that much has changed since then (mostly for the worse), if the sugar industry is to remain viable and even grow without the need for an annual million dollar government bailout, then there needs to be an urgent re-think and reset. Or, has our sugar industry already turned into molasses? Daniel Fatiaki Suva
Fuel crisis
People need to prepare themselves for another increase in fuel price this weekend. Something that cannot be avoided because of the global oil prices. EFL might ask for another review on electricity cost again as cost of generating electricity will increase which will result in higher cost of doing business which will eventually be passed onto consumers. Narayan Reddy Lautoka
Fact check
I refer to The Fiji Times editorial ‘Vigilance in the face of fake news!’ (FT28/5). PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others on its Truth-O-Meter. It fact checked “numerous false or misleading” statements by President Donald Trump (second term). Is there a parallel FactCheck organisation in Fiji? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Politics and Ratu Sukuna
Coalition burnout: A political forecast As a World Meteorological Organisation accredited Class 1 Professional Meteorologist, I have spent a career reading atmospheric systems – identifying what pressure fields will do before they do it. The political weather above Suva is not difficult to read. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s deferral of Local Government elections on May 21, 2026 is not administrative housekeeping. It is the opening manoeuvre of a calculated path to the general election on the existing 2013 Constitution, under the existing open party-list proportional system, without a referendum. I believe that path is now locked in. The forecast is this. I believe the National Referendum Bill will not pass. The Employment Relations Bill will not pass. The Constitutional Review Commission will be permitted to complete its work – because terminating it would be politically indefensible – but its findings will be carried forward to the incoming parliament after the general election, precisely as the Fatiaki Electoral Reform report was buried after submission on July 9, 2025, 10 months ago, still untabled. The CRC will become Fiji’s second suppressed commission report within 12 months. Both will be described as valuable. Neither will change anything before polling day. The $18million democratic allocation has already been redirected to EFL surcharge relief and bus subsidies – pre-election optics, not governance. Meanwhile the Energy Fiji Limited Act requires immediate legislative attention to structurally prevent EFL from continuing to extract from captive Fijian consumers through tariff design, audit exemption and dividend repatriation to its Hiroshima parent. I believe that reform will also not happen before the election. Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry confirmed on May 19 what the parliamentary record already shows: the mandate was consumed from the inside. I believe what Mr Rabuka calls voter burnout is a high-pressure system of his own making – and the forecast is clear. Fijians will vote in 2026 under the same system that delivered this coalition. I believe that is not an accident. That is design. Dr Sushil K Sharma Lautoka
Ratu Sukuna’s legacy
As we look at modern Fiji, we must revisit the legacy of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna. Some critics argue his Native Administration restricted the iTaukei to village life, but we must view this as a necessary strategy to protect iTaukei traditions during a vulnerable colonial era. Following the 1870s measles outbreak and the 1918 flu epidemic, which tragically claimed nearly a third of the iTaukei population with 40,000 by measles alone, our people were at risk. In every village if people ask they would know where the mass graves are for those who died from the measles epidemic. Also during this time, there was immense pressure from European farmers looking to take more land for their cattle, copra and banana farms. Ratu Sukuna used his unique position as a man of two worlds to bridge colonial governance and iTaukei traditional village life, ensuring our culture had the space to survive these threats. While some feel he slowed iTaukei economic progress, he did not oppose movements like the Viti Kabani; he was only concerned by their spiritual elements, not their desire for growth. Ratu Sukuna saw the Native Administration not as a permanent cage, but as a stepping stone. He constantly urged us to prepare for a changing world, advocating for progress that was steady and sustainable. Today, as our culture faces new challenges, his foresight remains vital. Ratu Sukuna knew that to thrive, we must protect our identity while mastering the modern world. He did not want to lock us in the past; he wanted us to be strong enough to lead our own future. Meli Matanatoto Nadi
