National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad has defended his public call for fuel subsidies for the sugar industry, rejecting criticism from Opposition MP Premila Kumar and insisting that coalition government does not mean silence.
In a statement, Professor Prasad accused Opposition MP Premila Kumar of engaging in “cheap politics” and argued that she failed to understand how democracy and coalition governments function.
“We are not in a dictatorship anymore,” Professor Prasad said.
He said his call for a $5 per tonne subsidy for cane harvesters and a $6 per tonne subsidy for cane lorry operators was aimed at protecting growers from rising fuel costs.
“I made the statement as the Leader of the National Federation Party, which I am perfectly entitled to do. This is not grandstanding but standing in solidarity with growers,” he said.
Professor Prasad said both his letter to the Minister for Agriculture and his public comments were genuine efforts to address growers’ concerns.
“This is not a political stunt that Hon Premila Kumar and a few of her colleagues in Opposition are fond of performing,” he said.
He criticised Ms Kumar’s record as a former minister in the FijiFirst government, claiming she had failed to support measures aimed at assisting sugarcane growers.
“She kept quiet when growers were short-changed by almost $14 million in final cane payments, receiving less than the guaranteed price of $85 per tonne from 2019 to 2022,” he said.
Professor Prasad highlighted higher cane payments under the Coalition Government, noting that growers received more than $91 per tonne in 2023, $105 per tonne in 2024 and around $101 per tonne in 2025.
He added that despite this year’s lower forecast price of $57.40 per tonne, Government had assured growers they would still receive the guaranteed price of $85 per tonne.
“The NFP and I will always protect and enhance the livelihood of growers and the Coalition Government has and will ensure growers are protected from financial hardship,” he said.
Professor Prasad argued that being in government should not prevent leaders from advocating for solutions.
“Being in government does not mean becoming silent. Being in government means listening, speaking honestly, and pushing for solutions for ordinary people,” he said.
He also took aim at former FijiFirst ministers, saying he would continue to prioritise the sugar industry.
“And I will not apologise for putting the sugar industry before the wounded pride of failed FijiFirst former ministers,” he said.
