Breakdown of law and order is a national crisis - Usamate

Opposition Member of Parliament Jone Usamate says the breakdown of law and order is a national crisis.

In a statement, Usamate says Fiji is experiencing a dangerous and escalating breakdown of law and order, marked by a surge in violence, sexual crimes, home and shop invasions, and violent robberies across the country.

Usamate says certain areas have become no-go zones for families, especially for women and girls.

He says taxi drivers are being attacked and brutalized, with some losing their lives in both rural areas and urban centers.

The Opposition Member says bus drivers, who provide an essential service to our communities, are also victims of abuse.

He says they endure spitting, slapping, verbal assaults, and intimidation, with little regard for the crucial role they play in keeping Fiji moving.

Usamate says public transport services are shutting down early, leaving many with unsafe travel options and heightening their fears.

He says homes are being invaded in broad daylight yet arrests and prosecutions remain alarmingly low.

The Opposition Member says farmers are losing hope as thefts of crops such as yaqona, dalo, and livestock continue to rise.

He says the legal system’s response is often slow and sometimes questionable.

Usamate says for example, a Labasa farmer’s bullock which he relies on for ploughing was stolen, slaughtered and the meat sold to a butcher.

He says adding insult to injury, the court ordered the return of 64 kg of recovered meat (beef) to the Hindu farmer.

The MP says even visitors to our shores are unsafe in ways unheard of only a few years back - from becoming suddenly and violently ill within the safety of their resorts to horrific crimes such as robberies and sexual assaults in bustling areas like our gateway town.

He says shops and homes are shuttered, and entire communities feel as though they are living under siege, unsafe even in their own homes.

Usamate says the vibrant nightlife that once defined our towns and cities has vanished, as Fijians fear venturing out to enjoy simple pleasures like dining, going to cinema, or taking an evening or early morning stroll along our shores.

He says businesses in Fiji are grappling with the unsettling reality of break-ins, which can create a perception of insecurity and deter potential investors.

The MP says when theft occurs, it sends a concerning message that Fiji may not be the safest place to do business.

He says creating a secure environment is vital not just for the well-being of businesses, but also for attracting investment for economic growth adding something is terribly wrong in our great country.

Usamate says this deterioration has spread to the most sacred aspects of our communities—places of worship and religious gatherings where acts of lawlessness and disrespect have become disturbingly common.

He says this shocking state of affairs in Fiji has captured international attention, with adverse media coverage reaching neighboring Australia and New Zealand and much further afield in the UK, USA, and Europe.

The MP says at a time when we desperately need strong leadership, what they have seen from this Coalition Government is denial and deflection, adding efforts to downplay the situation is unacceptable.

He says the government’s slow action or inaction and reluctance to acknowledge the severity of the situation is costing Fijians their safety and security, denying reality or pretending these incidents are isolated is futile.

Usamate says this situation is not solely the government’s failure; it is a collective failure that involves parents, faith-based organizations, youth leaders, elders, and security institutions all sharing the responsibility.

He says however, the government must take the lead as this crisis will not go away.

The MP says we need a government on a crisis footing - not one focused on managing public perception or engaging in internal political squabbles.

He says Fiji requires a government committed to addressing the breakdown of law and order with urgency as the extraordinary levels of crime demand an immediate and united response without delay.

Usamate adds they stand ready to support the government in its efforts to regain control and restore law and order, but the government must take the first step and act decisively today, not tomorrow.

We have sent questions to the Prime Minister’s Office and Police.