A significant debt of $9.6 million owed to Post Fiji Limited by an undisclosed Australian business is now in the hands of the Government, as Post Fiji has requested the amount be written off. This information was disclosed in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report reviewing the Audit Reports on Public Enterprises and Other Entities for the audit years ending in 2019-2020 and 2021-2022, which was presented in Parliament on Thursday.
In other news, the public can read two pages of letters from readers expressing their views and sentiments, reflecting the current pulse of the nation featured exclusively in The Sunday Times.
The publication also includes a variety of regular sections, such as the latest news and current affairs, international coverage curated by the editorial team, and a segment titled Discovering Fiji, which shares interesting facts about local topics like rubber plantations.
On the sports front, there will be comprehensive coverage of the Deans Trophy competition, detailing the excitement and challenges faced during the event.
In troubling news, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran unveiled alarming statistics regarding child sexual abuse in Fiji. In the first half of 2024, there have been 324 reported cases, averaging 54 cases per month, with rape being the most common offense against children. Kiran emphasized that any child suffering abuse is one too many, urging the nation to reflect on these disturbing figures.
She presented data from Fiji Police reports covering 2021 to 2024, revealing that 729 cases were reported in 2021, rising to 1034 in 2022, before declining to 844 cases in 2023. Kiran highlighted the need for collective action and introspection as these figures signify a severe societal issue.
Additionally, a United Nations expert recently raised concerns about the urgent need to prioritize children’s rights in digital development to combat online child sexual abuse. The report detailed various forms of online exploitation, including grooming and harassment.
Kiran shared further insights, noting that the average age of child abuse victims in the past six years was only two years old, with the youngest victim being just six months. The statistics reflect a pressing issue that demands immediate attention, calling for proactive measures rather than mere concern about the uncomfortable realities faced by children in Fiji.