Listening tour, parliamentary representation
THAT much-publicised listening tour of the Opposition parliamentarians may have been almost forgotten but hopefully it will have given those politicians a good insight into the issues and problems facing the people on the ground. The question is: Why? Why did they feel the need to do this? There is a fundamental flaw in our current electoral and parliamentary system. By doing away with constituencies and the individual parliamentarian elected by, and representing the people in a particular region of the country, the people have been deprived of a representative especially dedicated to serving their needs and bringing their issues to the central government. Likewise I believe the parliamentarians put more time and effort into promoting the policies of the political party they represent, than in listening on the ground. When, in the past, the parliamentarians were elected by a small group rather than by the whole country, they had the onus and the opportunity to listen to the people. Whether they did this faithfully is beside the point. At least we, the people, felt that we had one individual up there in Parliament to whom we could voice our concerns. Is the current system really working in the best way for the people of this country? TESSA MACKENZIE, Suva
Fiji Day celebrations
AS we celebrated Fiji Day, many of us recalled our memorable days past with so many historical events such as devastating natural and man-made disasters, example coups with follow-up events, political events, hurricanes, floods. We all have gone through our best of times and worst of times to survive in this world as life goes on. We, all Fijians have learnt a lot from our history. Let’s continue learning from yesterday, live for today in these trying times with high hopes for tomorrow. Vinaka vakalevu The Fiji Times for being with us all the time, reporting and documenting, lest we forget. God bless Fiji and long live The Fiji Times. TAHIR ALI Hamilton, New Zealand
Ask Ranga
ASK Ranga Nathan (FT 14/10) what it means to stay away from his loved ones for months. Added to this is his stay in hospital for a continuous 84 days. True to her obligations, his wife also stayed with him in times of his need. What a family with such values of duty of care for loved ones. To all husbands, it’s your wife who will stand with you in times of real need for company. Give them due credit and respect. To all wives, Jotika should be your guide towards strengthening family bonding. DHIRENDRA PRASAD Lautoka
Independence medals
I HAVE been intrigued by the long list of people who have been chosen to receive a medal to commemorate this historic milestone. While the names seem to transcend a wide spectrum of people, ranging from academics, activists, business people, coup makers, diplomats, lawyers, politicians, social workers, et cetera, it is not clear what criteria was used for an ‘objective’ assessment of eligibility and whether these were transparently followed. It does seem to me, however, that the names are of people who had the privilege of being in the limelight, in whatever capacity, due to their position in society, power and influence. My heart goes out to our parents and grandparents, our unsung heroes, who toiled the land in the remotest parts of the islands, and to those who carried out the most basic jobs and essentially were the cogs of the economic and social development wheel, right from the colonial and girmit days, that has got the country to where it is today. Many of these folks are now in their 60s, 70s and 80s, and were also an intimate part of the conversation towards independence. I recall the history of our village primary school which was built after a casual conversation among a small group of village folks who did not have the opportunity to attend school (the nearest being 15km away!) but did not want their children deprived of education. The result, through their contributions and personal sacrifices, was a school which over the past 50 years has provided for the schooling needs for tens of thousands of children, many of who now are contributing to the nation’s development. How has Fiji recognised such individuals or groups situated in some of the remotest areas and villages, without all the modern day conveniences, which we now take for granted. Surely our entire population deserves a medal at this important juncture! They have endured a lot: conflicts, coups, political upheavals, social and economic crisis, diseases, disasters and other calamities such as the current pandemic, et cetera. I fervently hope the recipients pause and think about others who have not been lucky enough to be identified and may be equally deserving. Also, I pray it does not give them a sense of complex or superiority that they are more deserving and hence more equal than the rest. MONISH CHAND Suva
Bills timeline response
This is my response to Bharat Morris’s letter “Bills timelines” in FT 14/10. What he said is a likely outcome or even an inevitable one, given the number of members on each side of the House and the current parliamentary sitting calendar. However, it is my personal view that, this does not take away the principle of the matter, or the spirit in which Bills are expected to be processed in Parliament — albeit based on a democratic and Westminster system. All Bills as a proposed law, by nature need to undergo thorough, exhaustive and necessary scrutiny and committee review, as much as it is possible (the legislative role). It must also elicit and include, the views and comments of the general public and the relevant stakeholders, in that law-making process. (The scrutiny and representative role). Otherwise, the resultant Act of Parliament, may not be as representative and effective as a law of the land, as it should be. I sincerely believe, therefore, that it would be better to have just one or even two laws, passed in the whole sitting year — that would have undergone an exhaustive review and process in accordance with parliamentary procedures — then to have a whole host of Bills processed without delay, via SO 51 and passed into law. I am sure the public would benefit more from the former, rather than the latter. Very little can be done now about the numbers in Parliament and the inevitable vote count, but the thing is, thorough processing through the three readings and committee review, enables all members to have their say and to have it recorded in Hansard for posterity. Importantly, it enables the members of the public to participate in the workings of Parliament and also have it recorded for posterity as well, irrespective of the outcome. This is the bottom line of the workings of this noble representative institution. It is always better to be heard and considered, then not to say anything, or contribute at all. Moreso when it comes to law-making. In any case, I would like to thank Mr Morris for voicing his opinion. If he did not express it, we would not have known his views! Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Thank you
Thank you Amenatave Yaconisau Malani for your letter (FT 14/10). Yes, you are right — the law is said to be black and white, but I would like to err on the side of equity. “What is the argument on the other side? Only this, that no case has been found in which it has been done before. That argument does not appeal to me in the least. If we never do anything which has not been done before, we shall never get anywhere. The law will stand still while the rest of the world goes on, and that will be bad for both” – Lord Denning (1899- 1999). Korina Waibuta Knollys St, Suva
Some cake first
To Tomasi Nanuqa of Tavakubu, Lautoka. I am pleased you are so passionate about my views. It appears that you have been waiting for a reply from me for a while. In fact, I agree with everything you say, baraca, even though you rant on a bit. I need to eat some Fiji 50 cake. I feel like I am missing out! For Fiji 50 cake, I am willing to change the way I think and refrain from spitting any more venom. Promise and cross my heart. Jan Nissar Carlton, NSW, Australia
The law
Responding to Amenatave Yaconisau’s letter on October 14, 2020. With respect, “The law is not the law” as commented. Government’s decision is like anyone else’s, to be available to be scrutinised (as much as the law permits) by the judiciary. Vikrant Chandra Ba
Statue issue
There is a game called Statue. Upon hearing the word statue, one is required to freeze (stay still) until released. The Post Fiji statue will not become a participant. Even if you integrate ‘Simon Says’. It can’t. It really is just a statue. No matter what people post, this innocent postman will remain oblivious. No depression. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
That pipeline
This is becoming a norm “questions sent to so and so remains unanswered”. How about the number of times it is mentioned be counted and joined to the existing pipeline? That pipeline has issues that even while getting into the limelight, it gets stuck as usual. Ohhh dear! Kirti Patel Lautoka
PM factor
The Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has said: “Putting hardworking Fijians back in the jobs they love.” Long story short, would you consider how the flight attendants were treated, sir? It’s a request from a few of them. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
Cow’s life
It was so uplifting to read ordinary villagers had put in such effort to save the life of a cow that had swum out to sea after being hounded by dogs (FT 14/10). It was so depressing to read that another human life might have been lost on account of alleged police brutality (FT 14/10). Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Aussie way
Mary Chapman (FT 13/10) had explained the processes involved in enacting our laws from Bills to Acts. This is interesting and seems honourable. The current system has its advantages with much honour as well. Bharat Morris (FT 14/10), can you talk about the Australian way of doing things in this regard? Would be interesting to learn the system of your land. Dhirendra Prasad Lautoka
Border closure
I’m studying in Fiji. I am not able to fly overseas because of the coronavirus. The positive result of closing the border is no outbreak of coronavirus. I’m thankful for closing the border. Heeyoung Kim Lautoka
