Fiji’s leaders are being urged to engage more with the public and stop misleading them. Shamima Ali, coordinator of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC), expressed her disappointment regarding the findings of the National Security and Defence Review (NSDR), which pointed to a decline in public trust in the government and security institutions.
Ali criticized the current government for failing to back its claims of freedom with meaningful actions. Drawing from her experiences with previous administrations, she noted that while every government has its challenges, the situation has worsened since 2006. She described the current leaders as self-serving and unconcerned about the promises they made before taking office.
She emphasized the importance of accountability, reminding leaders that they are in power due to the public’s support and that taxpayers fund their salaries. Ali pointed out that contrary to promises of reduced travel, many ministers are often abroad, while entitlement policies remain unchanged. She highlighted the troubling fact that nearly half of Fiji’s population lives below the poverty line, leading to increased hardship for many, necessitating the distribution of grocery packs by her organization.
Ali also criticized the prevalence of cronyism and provincialism in Fiji, calling for leaders who are committed to accountability. The NSDR report corroborated her concerns, indicating that community stakeholders expressed feelings of government inefficiency, nepotism, and corruption, and underscored the need for sensitivity in decision-making and communication by the government.