Awesome victory
Heartiest congratulations Jack’s – McDonald’s – Wyndham – Red Brick Nadi for an awesome victory at Ratu Cakobau Park beating holders Naitasiri 14 – 12 and lifting the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy. Man, our victorious men had my heart in my mouth when you twice turned down two kickable penalties. In the final analysis, that winning penalty in the final seconds made huge amends. Now the huge task begins. We must hold off our first challengers, Suva. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Hear no evil
Why do copious FT reports end with: “questions sent to (so and so) remained unanswered”? Perhaps, I shouldn’t ask. Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia
7s team needs support!
Scenes of joy and delight marked the return of the national 7s team. After winning in Singapore and falling short in Vancouver, the Ben Gollings-coached men’s side left in high spirits for the Toulouse and London 7s tournaments. While Fiji was unbeaten in Toulouse and retained the France 7s title, we were knocked out from the gold medal play-off by the All Blacks 7s team. Our boys settled for bronze after beating the impressive Samoan outfit. In his debut, Gollings has proved himself- four semi-finals in a row and two gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal in his decorated cabinet. Gollings has two months to prepare before the boys take part in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. Fiji has never won a gold medal, although we have won silver medal in 1998, 2002 and 2018 and a bronze medal in 2006. Gollings, Bill Satala and the boys have a mammoth task on their plate. After beating Fiji, the All Blacks 7s team has showed it is serious about defending the 2018 Commonwealth Games 7s gold medal won in Australia. The best must be chosen to get home that elusive gold medal from Birmingham. The team needs our support. As a nation we must unite to provide the best for our 7s heroes. Toso Viti! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
PM’s self-praise
When PM Bainimarama said his government better managed the economy then any past government in Fiji’s history ( FT 3/6 ) I wondered if he was trying to convince himself? Several discerning people wrote letters to the editor disputing Bainimarama’s claim as being fictitious. They have pointed out the unprecedented national debt, the poverty level in the country and the cases of incompetence (eg, Lautoka swimming pool construction debacle) to sustain their contrary view. Or, perhaps the PM was only engaged in self-praise. People in power have a tendency to do that when they have been in power for too long. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Red carpet
The red carpet was rolled out when China’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Wang Yi, arrived on our shores. Contrastingly, there was no red carpet walk in Tonga. Just a walk along the bare tarmac. As one friend quipped, ka ni cava na red carpet. Anthony Sahai Ovalau
Our roads
Our communities in the stretch of tikina Tunuloa had been long overlooked at from the previous leadership until the present government of 15 years. There is so much hype building access roads on Viti Levu, but less is done on our island. We had a projected nursing station plus other government institutions to be built on our village greens. I wonder which government will take the bold step to make all our communities happy. Jioji O. Toronibau Navetau, Tunuloa
Only one
Earth Every year on June 5 we commemorate the World Environment Day. This year’s theme, “Only One Earth” speaks volumes about our very existence on this planet. It is also a repeat of the initial theme of 1972 when this day was started. Just the other day I was telling my children that we do not have a planet B to go to if we conserve Earth for our future generations. Human activities are having a drastic impacts on the environment and atmosphere. Littering, plastic pollution, marine pollution, deforestation and carbon emissions are just to name a few. Our ancestors had immense respect for nature. They never failed to practise sustainability and lived in harmony with the environment. In this technological era we have ceased caring for our environment. It’s our actions that are harming nature. Earth is the only planet so far that has been known to support and sustain life. We have only one hope and one Earth. Let us help conserve our environment for ourselves, our children and grandchildren. DINESH KUMAR Ba
Street dwellers
I REFER to the report on the above subject (FT 4/6) I have done work with street dwellers in the past and it’s not an easy job. From what I have experienced there are mentally challenged people, those who have been rejected by family and there are people who don’t want commitment at home to do chores around the house. We have able-bodied people living on the streets who are just plain lazy, living on the streets they get fed and get money. Then we have those who have been affected by the abuse of drugs, these people can be dangerous. I know that the authorities have taken many back home but they return because of the easy life on the streets. Many wellmeaning people give clothes and blankets. May I suggest that a shelter be built for them so they have a safe place especially when it rains at night. People who have already been assisting them can give food, clothing and mattress to the shelter. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Lautoka
Government ministers
I JUST laughed to myself because what we read now in our The Fiji Times was totally a different scene during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, when our PM and A-G including their band of ministers were nowhere to be seen publicly nor issued statements. I remember that only the PS Health, Dr James Fong was the face of government in all media at the height of that difficult time. It’s becoming a norm now that they are seen all over Fiji, seen to be talking to people. JIOJI M CAKACAKA Tadra, Votualevu, Nadi
The status quo
Let me remind the electorate to be wary of the Opposition parties promising reductions in costs of living, reduction in fuel and petroleum products, decreasing debts, increasing minimum wages etc. I believe the Fijian Government has no control over fuel prices and freight charges as the external forces in the form of Ukraine war has impacted on the recent price hike. I believe Biman and Rabuka will not succeed in fooling the people by misleading them. Perhaps as an option these two gentlemen may wish to consider travelling to the Kremlin to have a dialogue with Mr Putin to convince him to end the war instead of travelling to Australia and New Zealand begging for money. Biman is on record as telling the Parliament that our government has no money and now I believe they themselves have no money to fight this election hence their begging campaign has begun. Government has removed VAT on the basic food items and there is nothing more one can do. It has removed 20 cents per litre tax on fuel. Unless PAP/NFP are planning to force supermarkets to reduce the food prices thereby reducing their profit margins, this together with increasing the minimum wages to five dollars will cripple the traders and the commercial sector leading to closure of business. I believe they have nothing constructive and rational to offer. This is the reason why it is advisable in the best interest of our beloved country to maintain the status quo. Simon Hazelman is correct. Even IMF’s deputy managing director was encouraged by our rebounding economy and the pathway to recovery so why change the status quo? He even went on to say that Fiji is in a much safer position compared to most developing countries. Perseverance and steadfastness is what is required to achieve success. It cannot happen overnight as the Opposition will make you believe. COVID-19 and Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine was not of FijiFirst Government’s making. Tarun Tikaram Lami
‘Racist’ statement
Kositatino Tikomaibolatagane finds a letter I wrote recently racist (FT 04/06). I won’t argue with him. He can feel and say whatever he wants because all I’m doing is stating the facts. Here’s a problem I’ve always faced when addressing issues regarding the different ethnicities. They will always say I’m racist instead of looking at the issue and the problem. Forget about race Mr Tikomaibolatagane and instead look at the issues. I have a whole list of issues regarding problems by the iTaukei and most are common knowledge. The problem is many won’t first accept that they are the cause of these problems, and the same goes for Indo-Fijians and other races. I’m going to state again that there are more young, middled aged, and old iTaukei patients in hospital than any other ethnic group. Yes there are many other ethnic groups in particularly Indo-Fijians, but most are older patients. You hardly see young-middle aged Indo-Fijians compared to iTaukei. Go observe carefully for yourself. I’ve been observing it over the past two years in the many times I’ve been admitted at CWM. And for your information I have maternal links to Viseisei Vuda, Nukubalavu, Savusavu, and Naivaka, Naivakasiga, Bua, through my great great grandfather, my grandfather, and my mother. And all links are from chiefly descent. I speak and write the Bauan language fluently, and as of today through generations of inter-marriages I am more iTaukei than anything else. So my concern is very much for the iTaukei as they are my people too and I am genuinely concerned about what’s happening to them. As far as my sickness is concerned I do not have NCD but a rare hereditary kidney disease that’s in the family. My father died from it, I have it, and I’m hoping it doesn’t carry on. I live a healthy lifestyle and do my best to eat healthy local produce that we have so abundantly. I’m certainly no racist! SIMON JC HAZELMAN Rava Estate, Savusavu
People tired
PEOPLE are indeed tired (FT/3/6). I believe they don’t want FijiFirst any more. DAN URAI Lautoka
Fijian economy
SAY what, your government has managed the Fijian economy better than any other government in the history of Fiji. Are you delusional or are you just believing the bulldust of your propagandists? Seriously bro, you guys need a check-up from the neck-up. And stop believing your spin doctors whose only aim is to keep you in power so they continue receiving their healthy pay cheque. From where I’m sitting and looking in as an observer, the horse has already bolted. And come the election you guys are going to get such a rude awakening it’ll hopefully give you a long overdue reality check. I believe your weakest link is your A-G. And if you had some nous you would’ve done some house cleaning a very long time ago. But you’ve persevered for goodness knows why and it’s going to cost you dearly.Because you guys have made so many dumb decisions it reminds me of that classic quote from the Forest Gump movie, “Stupid is as stupid does!” COLIN DEOKI Australia
Crisis control
IN the wake of food price rise, global warming, pandemic outbreak, crime rise, political crisis, war, and fuel price rise, we seem to be living day to day in this strange,uncertain world. Some of these disasters are natural, while others are man-made. Which ones are beyond our control, only God knows. TAHIR ALI Hamilton, New Zealand
Dangerous drivers
LATELY I have been shocked by the behaviour of some drivers. Even the other morning at the RB Jetpoint traffi c lights as they turned green for me I was horrified to see at least three taxis zooming past in front of me! I flashed my lights at them. They seem to know that there is a delay in the timing of the lights so that though they see a red on their side it would take a few seconds more for the lights on the other side to go green. So they go for it. Lucky for me when the lights go green I always make certain the road is clear before I make a move. This has happened to me several times this week So responsible fellow drivers be warned. There are sneaky drivers around nowadays, unconcerned that they might cause an accident. NORMAN YEE Martintar, Nadi
