National security
ACCORDING to media reports, some mischief mongers have circulated fake reports that military intervention is imminent.
It was suggested that there were breaches of the 2013 Constitution.
Hence the rumoured plan.
However, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Major General Ro Jone Kalauniwai, have assured the nation that there is nothing to panic about.
And people have been asked to keep calm!
The ability of social media to stir up a storm should not be underestimated.
Also the ability of the characters in the shadows cannot be ignored.
Some power-hungry monsters can create the fear syndrome.
There is bound to be chain reactions and we cannot blame the people.
In this day of advanced communications technology, the mischief makers can be traced and punished accordingly.
It is the responsibility of the police force to do just that and establish an atmosphere of calm.
The national budget has just been announced and there is an atmosphere of euphoria.
People are very happy with the Coalition Government’s attempt to balance a very difficult finance situation.
Shadows in the dark cannot digest this.
Hence the rumour mill’s in action.
The nation has full confidence in the Prime Minister and the Commander of the RFMF to provide national security for all.
DEWAN CHAND, Namadi Heights, Suva
$3.5m debt
I JUST laughed to myself when I read in the Sports back page (FT 3/7) that the Fiji Rugby Union interim chairperson Peter Mazey will go out and ask every Fijian for $1 to help clear their $3.5 million debt because the Rugby House is in a precarious financial situation.
Mr Mazey should liaise with our former PM Voreqe Bainimarama who was the then-president of FRU in regards to the $3.5m debt.
Maybe, the former FijiFirst party government has dollars invested elsewhere during the 10 years of continuous “economic boom”.
In reality “kaboom”.
The former minister for economy and his many smart borrowings which I classify as “dream borrowings” has got us to a national debt level close to $10b.
Finally Mr Mazey, before the 2022 General Election, I had humbly requested the FijiFirst government through the media to please generously put aside $1 for every registered voter amounting to approximately $689,947.
The money to be equally shared by Fiji Cancer Society, WOWS Kids Fiji, and Cure Kids Fiji — all for a worthy cause, it all fell on deaf ears.
The end result is that the FijiFirst party will remain in Opposition for good.
Positively, I personally donated $7700 towards WOWS Kids Fiji.
May the good Lord richly bless the less fortunate in our society.
Power of the people.
RAYMOND SINGH, Marine Drive, Lautoka
People’s Coalition
AS Professor Biman Prasad has said, the People’s Coalition Government is here to serve people, not to rule over them.
Well said but this means they must have ears to listen to people and not ignore their plight.
The taxpayers have the right to voice their opinion and question the Government on issues of their concern.
That is why it is important for ministers to move around the country from time to time to take the opinion of people on various issues related to their ministry.
Then only, improvement can come about.
PARAS NAIDU, Lautoka
Abandoned bodies
IT was heart wrenching to read about bodies left neglected in the morgue at Lautoka Hospital (FT 5/7).
These bodies were once living people with families, relatives, and friends.
They would have shared beautiful moments with many people.
Yet today they lie unidentified, abandoned in the morgue awaiting their final resting place.
According to Assistant Minister Sashi Kiran, this shows a breakdown in society.
It signifies the erosion of societal structures that traditionally ensured the respectful and timely disposal of the deceased.
The decaying dignity of the deceased reflects the decay of humanity within the society.
To rectify this heartrending situation, we must confront the underlying issues that contribute to societal breakdown.
This includes prioritising investments in healthcare infrastructure, emergency response systems and social support networks.
Additionally, fostering a culture of empathy, compassion and active community engagement can help restore the bonds that hold society
together, ensuring that no one is left to suffer the indignity of an unclaimed body.
The sight of neglected bodies left unburied in morgues is a chilling reminder of the consequences of societal breakdown.
It implores us to reevaluate our values and reaffirm our commitment to compassion and communal responsibility.
Only through collective efforts can we create a society where the dignity of every individual, even in death, is upheld.
Only then can we ensure that no soul is left forgotten and every life is cherished with the dignity it deserves.
Sanjeet Prasad, Labasa
Semi the gentle giant
SEMI Radradra’s dad, Samisoni Waqavatu, described his son as unique and soft-spoken (FT: 05/07).
He said Radradra was a gift to him from God — a son which every parent dreamt of having.
The gentle giant, who is part of the Flying Fijians team, is a star, but humble and approachable.
He is an inspiration to youths who have dreamt of donning the Flying Fijians jumper.
As Radradra and the Flying Fijians prepare on the Garden Island, they have been motivating and inspiring those on Fiji’s third largest island.
I thank Rohit Deo and the trusted brand for the stories from Taveuni.
The piece on stroke victim Apimeleki Rayasiqali, who watched the 15s team train from a car, was touching.
It shows the passion and pride with which Fijians follow the national 15s team.
The presence of the boys has made a huge difference on the people of Tavueni — one they’ll remember in years to come!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
Anything is possible
I WOULD support Dan Urai to be the next PM.
He must ensure that he is not a disqualified person.
It is a pretty basic requirement.
JAN NISSAR, Sydney, Australia
Government loans
THANK you Vijay Naidu for the reply to my FNPF pension letter.
The previous government was very clever if 70 per cent of its loan was from FNPF.
That is why they were not worried about loan payments because the previous government was controlling the FNPF.
Well, if 70 per cent of the loans are actually from FNPF the present Government could have kept the VAT at 9 per cent and paid the FNPF loan slowly just like the FijiFirst party was doing.
I think one of the smart loans was to be paid over 40 years.
SUKHA SINGH, Labasa
FRU needs help
I ADMIRE Peter Mazey’s hard work and honesty.
He pleaded with the general public for assistance to help clear FRU’s debt.
Mazey was willing to ask $1 from every Fijian to get FRU out of the red.
My message to Mazey is that the public is ready to step in and assist him and the team, but asking the public to clear FRU debt is too much.
The public is not responsible for FRU’s debt.
FRU needs a strong voice and leader to steer it out of muddy waters which is a result of leadership.
It’s a pity that rugby is like a religion in this country, but the state of affairs at FRU is decaying and so much is coming out in public via Mazey’s voice.
A thorough clean-up is needed to get things in order at FRU.
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
Democratic pathway
IT looks like that those men in green wants to be the sole defender of a party made constitution defying the principles of democracy for amendment.
Anyway, our current Constitution was made up by a few, for a party, but not by the people, for the people.
Don’t be a wankster on the legitimate democratic pathway when there is a need of change.
Ethics and neutral is best!
AREKI DAWAI, Suva
A rugby strategy
WITH the abundance of educated and experienced people in Fiji, what is stopping us from finding a way forward to steer our Rugby House in the right direction?
We have an ideal and timely opportunity before us.
There are people who are passionate about Fiji rugby, who are willing to develop a strategy with a vision to fund and market Fiji rugby in the long run.
We must think beyond a few years or receiving small grants.
The sky is the limit but it is only as good as our passion and more importantly, we must start sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, the Flying Fijians squad in the Garden Island of Fiji is attracting a huge following among locals.
A sincere appreciation to our rugby decision-makers for taking the squad up North.
After a week of some really intense training, a dip in the Bouma waterfalls is much appreciated.
FLOYD ROBINSON, Micronesia
Freedom and hope
WITH things finally rolling on and changes emerging in our country, the budget is finally out and the allocations spread as best as possible.
This was something people were desperately waiting for.
After a long time we had the budget announcement in a timely manner when eyes were open up wide not like previously when most were in their snoring land.
We understand the hard choices being made and thank the Government for the well-balanced budget.
Thanks for retaining the zero rates on basic food items.
This has brought smiles and satisfaction to many.
We do realise it’s hard to please everyone but one has to keep moving forward while keeping our country intact.
Past few days would have been very hectic and busy for our DPM Professor Biman Prasad.
Thank you, Sir, for your time and effort.
Now the honours are with our citizens to join hands and help move this country forward.
Let’s not pay attention to the noises that does not matter.
One letter writer in particular who is going crazy in his wonderland, still can’t get over the fact of our democracy.
Attacking the “Convicted Lawyer” is not going to change anything so keep those cheap shots to yourself and for your messiah.
We welcome the new democratic Fiji, freedom and hope.
KIRTI PATEL, Lautoka
Medicinal budget
MANY will agree the dynamics of democracy is different under different leadership.
Those who may have been skeptical may be lost for words how well and courteously the Coalition Government performs.
The Coalition budget is a relief to so many and nonetheless medicinal indeed.
Students, pensioners and social recipients may not have anticipated anything of the sorts given, thus there may be an influx of support from every section of the community.
Some duties being removed on frozen lines and canned meat is a bigger relief since it’s so widely consumed.
In essence anything which gives a relief is medicinal, so my take is the budget is truly medicinal.
Well done and the vibes for a vibrant economic progress under the Coalition Government looks promising beyond.
SANJAY KUMAR, Suva
Letter of the Month – May
Policing spectators
DESPITE the allocation of double the number of police officers last Saturday — they gave their best — but it wasn’t too long before they cleared the passageway into the ground from Verona St entrance.
Some spectators continually asked for police intervention and a woman got juice thrown at her.
To make matters worse people raised umbrellas which obscured the view of those behind them.
If it wasn’t any worse, there were people standing right near the fence.
Were people to watch their backsides?
If a proper stand cannot be built, I think the spectator organisation at the East Grass at Churchill park needs adult supervision during matches because some adults tend to behave like babies.
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF, Natabua, Lautoka
