Opposition MP Premila Kumar has openly criticized the government’s economic policies, asserting that they are crafted to benefit only a privileged few. During a recent parliamentary session, she highlighted the difficulties faced by ordinary Fijians, pointing out that the soaring cost of living has transformed essential goods and services into luxuries.
Kumar expressed concern that many families are now forced to choose between necessary expenses, such as medicine and groceries, or rent and utility bills, while the government insists that the economy is performing well. She questioned the validity of these claims, asking, “If this is true, where is the impact? Who is benefiting?” She emphasized that hardworking farmers grappling with rising costs, nurses and teachers seeking better job opportunities overseas, and small business owners struggling to remain afloat do not see the purported benefits of the economic growth being claimed.
Kumar criticized the government’s focus on statistics over tangible improvements in citizens’ lives, suggesting that policies should uplift everyone in society rather than cater to elites and multinational corporations. She called for a re-evaluation of governmental priorities, urging for lower VAT on essential items to alleviate family burdens, support for small businesses, and the creation of local job opportunities to retain skilled workers.
In her closing remarks, she stated, “A true measure of success is not found in the graphs, charts, and numbers. It is found in the lives of our people, their well-being, their opportunities, and their dignity.” Her comments underscore the growing frustrations in the community as poverty continues to rise.
With these challenges, there is hope that bringing these concerns to light will inspire positive changes in policy and lead to a stronger focus on the welfare of all Fijians moving forward. It emphasizes the need for sensitive governance that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens and fosters an inclusive economy.
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