Fiji V Georgia Game
Thank you to Sky Pacific for airing the Fiji-Georgia game yesterday morning. While interesting, the Georgian language commentary did little to enhance our enjoyment of the game. Could you at least request subtitles? And why did you not air the superb Samoa vs. Italy game?
Espen Ronneberg, Samabula, Suva
Support PM
“I will remain independent but support the PM.” What is that supposed to mean? One cannot ride two horses at the same time.
Selwa Nandan, Lautoka
Strong Government
A few writers still think that the FijiFirst government leader Bainimarama was good. I think we need a strong opposition to have a strong government. Democracy!
Tahir Ali, Hamilton, New Zealand
Silenced the Norm
The smart one seems to have been silenced as free speech becomes the norm.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Civil Service Day
One thing that can’t be denied is that there was a very efficient civil service during colonial rule in Fiji. Was there any Civil Service Day celebration held then?
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
The Power
Deputy Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Home Secretary are all women in the new Labor Government’s new cabinet in the United Kingdom. Most powerful positions in the British Government. The power of women. Hats off to PM Keir Starmer to have put his faith in them. Women empowerment right there.
Manoj Lal Patel, Drasa Ave, Lautoka
Handling Cash
The inability for several employers to trust their very own employees handling cash clearly signals unfortunate experiences in handling money on every shift. Your employees are supposed to be your greatest assets. If there is mistrust in them, then obviously the system doesn’t work for the express benefit of the customer. WAF referred me to MaxVal-u to make cash payments. For a retiree, this is a huge inconvenience. It is strange for employees who cannot be trusted handling cash, too much high risk? So much for a cashless society.
Thank you, Daniel Fatiaki, Suva – FT Saturday, July 6, 2024.
Ronnie Chang, Martintar, Nadi
Our Parcels
Could the Customs department let us know if they are holding on to our parcels which should have been in Labasa by March 2024?
Sukha Singh, Labasa
Stop Littering
People continue to toss rubbish indiscriminately literally everywhere without any fear. I think this problem is common across the board and you know why because there is no enforcement. They ply their trade with ease because no one is watching or taking them to task. They will continue doing so until the coast is clear. Sadly, no one wants to or is prepared to take charge. I wonder why it is like this when we have the Anti-Litter Decree at our disposal. We spend huge amounts of money clearing and disposing of rubbish not falling from the sky but left by the people. This money could be saved and used elsewhere if we stop the people from throwing the rubbish in the first place. I think it is high time the relevant ministry takes drastic measures to address the situation from escalating further than this. Stop littering.
Suresh Chand, Nadi
Way to Go
Charging school fees for students attending urban schools is going to benefit rural schools which are struggling with low student roll. We are talking revolution in Fiji’s education and social settings.
Thank you, PS Education.
Samu Railoa, Nadi
Climate Change?
Almost all of the time, we blamed “climate change” as the leading effect on infrastructure. Is Fiji contributing or affected by climate change? From the Land Transport perspective, in my opinion, there has been a gradual increase in contribution within the past 20 years, besides air transport. Additionally, there seemed to be a very slow response towards the expediting of renewable energy. What is happening to Fiji’s National Energy Policy? What is EFL’s current decision regarding its aim to be 99 per cent renewal powered by 2030? It seemed we have been advocating as a victim, but simultaneously contributing continuously, as if the effects never existed. For politics is saying you are going to do one thing, while intending to do another. Then you do neither what you said nor what you intended. Is it solely climate change effects or self-inflicted negligence? There are plenty of difficult obstacles in our path, just do not allow ourselves to become one of them. Problems hurt the most when they prove self-inflicted.
Samu Silatolu, Nakasi
Introduced Pests
Traveling on the Queens Rd between Nadi and Suva, I was struck by the number of African Tulip trees growing on both sides of the road and I wondered. Beyond their bright orange flowers and their natural water pistols, what was the usefulness of these trees that seem to be strangling our local trees? Can someone in forestry help with some information including whether or not there is a program to eradicate these pests from our landscape.
Daniel Fatiaki, Suva
Fierce Competition
I’ve read somewhere that amateurs of metal music were overall happier than the general populace. It may or may not be true, it certainly depends on how the measurement is done. I was wondering what would happen if the happiest people in the world — that is us Fijians — were to start listening to my favourite kind of music. Hearing In Flames songs like Superhero of the Computer Rage and The Quiet Place (my favourite song ever) on our local radios would be so amazing! Arch Enemy has also very beautiful titles like Avalanche or The World is Your’s that may actually contribute to lift up the spirit of a tiny section of our community who most certainly have been feeling particularly irritated by the “old politicians class these last few years. Knowing how intense the regional competition is with our close competitors for the first place, I guess it’s worth giving it a try, don’t you think? The “happy isles” of the Solomon Islands also have stunning landscapes to lure visitors to their coasts, and Vanuatu (another “most happy country in the world, second only to heavily militarised Finland in the world ranking) has been described to me as the most stunning islands in the South Seas by many travellers. I wish I had a thousand pennies to visit them! Keeping our “most happy country in the world” title would be very good for the tourism industry, it goes without saying. Metal music might be our saviour, who knows? In any case, happiness is very addictive — just like our Bounty Rum — so I suggest enjoying my favourite kind of music responsibly. A song from Daniel Rae Costello like Take Me To The Island will never be out of place, especially on a Sunday afternoon.
Mathieu Gilles “Kwacanavatu” Pelletier, Nadakovu, Sigatoka
Test Week
I must applaud, compliment and thank the Ministry of Education and the secondary schools in Fiji for declaring a Test Week in the school academic calendar and in its curriculum. Vision and mission are very clear and this must be inculcated among the school population and stakeholders directly involved. The Test Week starts in schools throughout Fiji from next week. Test Week involves technology employment skills training. The short- and long-term plans must be undertaken in order to realize the vision and mission of this worthy event in the school calendar. Two pathways to employability are there in the school system; academic and TVET which diverts from upper forms in the schools. However, TVET studies must be taken from early and lower classes in the school system in order to promote, instill and build skills among student populations. Life is full of much-needed TVET day by day and all throughout our lives. TVET is no more regarded as the “Blue-collar job” or a second chance to education. TVET is not only for those not academically excelling. TVET is now for all. TVET is a master key to address youth employment and resolve national drug issues. TVET is to empower the young to have decent and gainful employment.
Indar Deo Bisun, District Advisory Councilor, Sakoca Heights
Solar Farms
On the topic of successful business proposals, my friends and I delved into solar farms and how the indigenous and those with large parcels of land could make a decent living by producing electricity and selling it back into the main grid. It would be the perfect low-maintenance business many are looking for and in particular for the retired and unemployed. When it comes to resilience and climate change and the environment which we are all trying to learn and uphold, this form of business is the perfect example. The issue to the success of the concept, we saw, was the acceptance of the idea by the company in consideration and this was due also to the fact that there was just one company owning and managing the main grid. We concluded that if there was only one company licensed to operate the main grid then that company should also be responsible for being receptive to such ideas. As such we hoped that these would be opportunities that would be taken into serious consideration as part of the government’s due diligence to empowering its people and ultimately build the nation.
Noleen Billings, Savusavu
Resurrect Party
As a FijiFirst party voter, the deregistration news is heartbreaking and I believe that diehard supporters will want the party resurrected or a new party being formed maintaining the Fijians First policy. Being a Fiji Labour Party supporter as a former civil servant, we all hated Bainimarama for the 2006 Clean Up Campaign. But, during the Interim Government from 2006 to the 2014 General Election under his leadership, grassroots Fijians experienced firsthand what true leadership is all about, putting the people first and self-last. Bainimarama visited the interior of Fiji and remote places where past leaders never visited and made sure that their needs were met. Some Fijians still remember all the goodies and handouts given to all Fijians irrespective of their race or religion. Fijians were all under a level playing field. When interviewed by Sayed-Khaiyum before the 2014 Election and asked why I chose to become a FijiFirst Party election candidate; I told him that what Bainimarama did reminded me of Christ. Jesus reached out to the people first, met their needs, and then invited them to follow Him! There was a landslide victory for the FijiFirst Party in 2014 and a near win in 2018 and the rest is history. It is sad that the MPs have already voted and gazetted their pay increase while grassroots Fijians are still fighting for a pay rise and struggling to make ends meet and live above the poverty line. This is self-first and not Fiji first! It is my prayer that our present leaders put God first in their lives, who will inspire and open up doors to bless and reach out to all struggling Fijians and turn Fiji to be the way the world should be. I believe Fiji needs the resurrection or revival of the FijiFirst party in its original meaning and context.
Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Tacirua
Karma Effect?
Was the deregistration of the now-defunct FFP a result of the reap what you sow “karma” effect? Or was it an answer to the prayers of countless people who were abused, bullied, intimidated and victimized by the authoritarian regime? Maybe that profound and ancient Proverb 16:18 says it best: “Pride cometh before the fall.” Because wisdom encourages humbleness and humility that some tend to forget when they’re riding the crest of the wave and calling all the shots for all the wrong reasons.
Colin Deoki, Australia
Deregistered Party
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam is right in observing “FijiFirst’s ending reminds us that nothing lasts forever” (FT 3/7). But the more important thing is how are the erstwhile FijiFirst rulers going to be remembered? Will they be remembered as progressive or repressive rulers during their long reign in power?
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia