Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has emphasized the importance of exercising common sense in law enforcement following an incident involving a 60-year-old woman who received a $150 fine from a Land Transport Authority officer in Rakiraki due to issues with her bus card. The situation, which was captured on video and widely shared online, has sparked significant public outrage.
While Mr. Rabuka acknowledged that officials are not to be criticized for adhering to the law, he stressed the necessity for reasonable application of legal measures. He suggested that the situation could have been resolved more compassionately, indicating that the elderly woman might have been given an opportunity to recharge her card instead of being penalized.
The Prime Minister highlighted that, although it is essential to enforce the law, alternative and less severe solutions should be considered. He stated, “Common sense is something very useful when you’re applying the law.”
This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between law enforcement and compassion, reflecting a wider expectation for authorities to respond with empathy, especially towards vulnerable individuals in society.
In summary, Prime Minister Rabuka is calling for a more nuanced approach to law enforcement, urging authorities to balance adherence to the law with common sense and understanding, particularly in situations involving those who may be disadvantaged. This perspective fosters hope for a more compassionate legal environment that prioritizes human dignity alongside regulatory compliance.
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