Litter prevention campaign
The two placards, which were on display in yesterday’s The Fiji Times, had simple messages. The first one read, “You are the only cure for litter”, while the second one read, “Proud Fijians don’t litter”. I agree with the short phrases that captured the gist of the message. No amount of litter prevention campaign will be a success if we do not change our attitude towards littering which continues to be a menace and health hazard. I salute the efforts of the Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries and the staff members for raising awareness on litter prevention. I’m sure this campaign is going to wake up the sleeping lions and we will vouch to look after our environment and surroundings and avoid littering in public places. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Nadawa, Nasinu
Our water sources
The Fiji Islands are an intact and a well sustained cluster of blessing. In my truest opinion, I imply it is naturally the gem of the Pacific. Our flora flourish with both native and exotic botany. Never suffered death from famine nor depended on imported timber and food except for food that grows in the sub tropics thereby saving trade money by the millions. But all the credit is due to the miraculous interaction of nature here where our forests are relentlessly the medium of water catchment sites all over. Research has proven that we have one of the most abundant resources of sweet drinking water with a high silica content in the world. Consequently now, water is an income earner and moneymaker. Unnoticed Hollywood movies have indirectly showcased the use of the precious drink from a bottle of Fiji Water. But my critical concern is how much have our legislators done to ensure to secure every spring, source and body of water all over the country stays clean and unpolluted. I have seen and witnessed all over Fiji during my years of service in Government that even the smallest water bodies are used to accommodate discharge from household kitchens and bathrooms. Water pollution must stop. I now look up to the legislators with a strong recommendation to solicit every water source, big or small, to be kept free of pollution. Government teams must co-ordinate with the public for awareness and citizens must be mandated to clean them if they are polluted and maintain them that way. Fines should be imposed for breach or laxity and this process must never be laid to rest. I am of the view that our politicians should be debating in Parliament on pollution than possession. This exercise should be serious in nature. We have to do such so as to ensure that our grandchildren down the line can kneel beside the river, creek or spring anywhere in Fiji and drink without being harmed by contamination and pollution. Mr Prime Minister, you have championed a legacy to keep Fiji clean and I implore you to also advocate to keep our waters clean. I know for a fact that FijiFirst can do this because it always does! Sairusi Baleiwai Savusavu
That golf club
I am getting very frustrated with the lack of response from the relevant ministry that gave the greenlight to a golf club in Nadi to allow for golf to be played there. The golf club operated when COVID-19 cases were high and, I believe, still operates for over two months. Now, I am shifting my concern towards the ever dedicated, hardworking permanent secretary for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Dr James Fong, for clarification. Dr Fong, can you confirm why this golf club was given exemption to play golf when COVID-19 cases were at a high in the Western Division? It is plain clear — no sports allowed, no jab, no job and the targeted population to be fully vaccinated. Lautoka Golf Club even proposed a genuine four-metre social distancing apart from all other MoH protocols. On the one hand, sports of any kind is not allowed, and yet LGC had allowed so many families to plant at the golf course even with our membership fees less than $3 a week. LGC has raised funds for WOWS Kids Fiji and likewise for the Government of the day. Minister for Agriculture Dr Mahendra Reddy, now that local borders have opened, come and see for yourself the number of plantations at the golf course. All for free! Allen, you and your hardworking team can have a piece of land directly opposite the President’s bure to plant crops only! Finally, I am weighing all the options with my lawyer to take my concerns to court to seek clarification regarding golf played at the particular golf club in Nadi. Golf is in my blood and I will go to any length to seek justifi cation. RAYMOND SINGH Chairman of trustees, Lautoka Golf Club
Test of values
THERE are many ways to describe the negative impacts of COVID-19 but in a way, this is a test of values. Our cultures, our faith and spirituality is being put to the test. The fabric of our society is being stretched and its flexibility put to the acid test as many households are struggling to put three decent meals per day on the table. Whatever a community or individual’s response to COVID-19, let’s hold our guard, clinging on the values that have withstood tests across many generations and defined us. All in all, COVID-19 has allowed us to reconnect and strengthen our knowledge and understanding of our values. FLOYD ROBINSON Toorak, Suva
Efficient government
In less than two months time frame, changes to the Electoral Act were realised, conceived, drafted, tabled, debated and passed in the Parliament. This speaks volumes of the Government’s efficiency. Let us now hope and pray the same level of efficiency is also applied to the long awaited and promised Local Government Act changes to bring back the municipal elections. Bharat Morris Rifle Range, Vatuwaqa, Suva
Voting by ‘acclamation’
Parliament is not following its own voting rules. This point is so basic to our democracy that no responsible lawyer can ignore it. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, has decided that Parliament can vote “by acclamation”. That means that when he calls for a vote, he only has to listen to MPs saying “aye” and “no”. Then he decides, by himself, if the motion or Bill has been passed (or rejected). The Standing Orders of Parliament do not allow him to do that. On Wednesday, Opposition MP Lenora Qereqeretabua raised a point of order about this voting method. She pointed out that the Standing Orders require that if there is objection on any business requiring a vote, each member of Parliament must vote separately. Parliament must either use its electronic voting system or have a roll call. The Speaker told her: “The Business Committee has made its decision on the voting system”. He told her that unless the Business Committee decided otherwise, the new so-called “voting by acclamation” system would not change. He said that deciding how Parliament votes “is the job of the Business Committee”. With all respect to the Speaker, he is wrong. The Standing Orders of Parliament tell Parliament how it must vote. The Speaker and the Business Committee cannot change these rules. What the Speaker told Ms Qereqeretabua is like saying that the Cabinet can just decide by itself to change a law. But everybody knows that a law can only be changed by a vote in Parliament. Likewise, the only way to change Parliament’s Standing Orders is by a vote in Parliament. Now, we do not know how any MP has voted on any Bill. We do not even know if a majority of MPs voted to make it the law. Democratic decisions require a majority vote. But in our own Parliament — the highest point of our democracy — we do not even know if a majority is voting for our laws. In every democratic Parliament in the world, MPs have the right to require that the votes in Parliament be counted. How else do we know if there is a majority in favour of anything? We call on the Speaker to get competent independent legal advice on how Parliament should vote under the Standing Orders. He should then publish that advice for everyone in Fiji to see and follow that advice. The Speaker should ensure at all times that the Standing Orders are followed and that Parliament operates in a transparent and democratic way. GRAHAM LEUNG RICHARD NAIDU FILIMONI VOSAROGO Suva
Voting issue
Will unvaccinated Fijians be allowed to vote in 2022? Joe Tamani Raiwaqa, Suva
Massive earthquake
Simply sad to see the massive earthquake damage in Melbourne and still people are living in terror. With this pandemic and now an earthquake. Jaheed Buksh Korolevu, Sigatoka
Long wait
I believe a complaint against the Solicitor-General got him suspended and an investigation will be done. A friend of mine has been waiting for a High Court judgment for about four years now. Could he also complain to the Judicial Services Commission? Sukha Singh Labasa
New law
My dad wants to know whether he will be able to vote next year since he doesn’t have his Indian birth certificate? He has a valid Fijian passport and has lived in this country for over 50 years. He has voted in every previous election since he became eligible. Will this latest law outweigh his constitutional right as a citizen of the country? Kiran Khatri Samabula, Suva
Jab choice
What a relief to many of us to move internally to catch up with our commitments by interacting with family and relatives. In some cases after being stranded for long time. But do we still have a choice for a jab? Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Backing our Drua
The editor-in-chief, via his editorial titled “Backing our Drua” (FT: 22/09), had a timely message for fans in the rugby circles. The Drua, who will make their debut in Super Rugby next year, will face a tough time. The competition is not going to be easy considering that the Fijian Drua has limited time and resources to prepare. However, as the editor-in-chief reported, we have enormous talents that have the capability of staging a few upsets. We have a strong base and this will set the ideal platform to build on our team. I agree that processes and systems should ensure our players live their dreams. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
