1,000 additional officers for Police Force, all mobile wallet account holders will be required to register with a TIN

A series of measures aimed at strengthening policing and law enforcement, curbing drug use, HIV and crime have been announced in the 2025/2026 National Budget as Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Biman Prasad says the Government has agreed to increase the size of the Police Force by an additional 1,000 personnel.

This takes the full strength of the Police Force to more than 6,550 across all ranks.

This is 1 officer to 137 people - meaning 730 officers per 100,000 population. The standard acceptable number is around 300 per 100,000 population.

The Fiji Police Force is provided $240.3 million in this budget, an increase of $13.5 million.

This is a major investment and will be done in two phases at an additional cost of around $40 million.

In the first phase, $19.5 million is provided in the budget to commence the recruitment of 538 additional officers, on top of around 300 vacant positions that will be filled.

This would mean an extra manpower of over 800 officers immediately.

This added strength should now provide a much bigger police visibility, mobility and presence around the country.

The government earlier this month had also approved additional funding of $8.6 million to the Fiji Police Force for their salary progression which will continue.

The new Ministry of Policing is provided a budget of $3.8 million.

The Narcotics Bureau under the Ministry of Policing will lead Fiji’s fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

Border protection is being enhanced.

The construction of a new Container Examination Facility is underway and will enhance the ability to detect concealed contraband.

K9 detection capability will be extended to Savusavu under the Duavata Agreement with New Zealand and extending critical assets to our maritime borders.

FRCS has established a dedicated Passenger Information and Intelligence Unit.

This will improve the ability to target high-risk passengers and vessels.

With the drug trade comes dirty money, and the government is strengthening measures to identify and tackle this.

Currently, individuals can open mobile wallet accounts without a Tax Identification Number, and SIM cards can even be purchased with only a photo ID.

These loopholes enable tax evasion, money laundering, and underground economic activity through digital wallets.

To address this, all mobile wallet account holders will be required to register with a TIN and a six-month transition period will be provided to allow for full compliance.

Government will also introduce a mandatory Asset Declaration regime for all registered sole traders in Fiji.

Beginning with the 2025 tax year, all sole traders will be required to submit an annual declaration of their assets and liabilities, alongside their income tax returns.

This will include movable and immovable assets, loans, and sources of income.

This measure will help build a culture of financial transparency, reduce tax evasion, and enhance the integrity of our economy.

Professor Prasad says the HIV epidemic is now a serious growing threat to Fiji.

He says there are now approximately 7,000 HIV cases in the country, and we cannot afford to ignore this rising trend.

Drug use and needle sharing is responsible for 50% of the increase in cases.

This new threat is rising rapidly, induced by sharing of needles and drug related blood transfusion or what is known as blue-toothing.

To fight this, Government is allocating $10 million for a comprehensive approach to testing, prevention, public awareness, and controlling the spread of HIV.

Professor Prasad says these actions represent a clear and coordinated response to crime, drugs, and public health threats.