Ketan Lal’s attack
Opposition Member of Parliament Ketan Lal politically attacked Na Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa on his social media page yesterday regarding her The Fiji Times statement over the imposed 2013 Constitution. What MP Lal ought to realise is that Ro Teimumu Kepa made that statement on behalf of her people of Rewa, and not as a political figure, as Lal insinuated. The lady officially retired from politics in February 2024 after resigning from her party, SODELPA’s Management Board. And as a chief, and a high chief too at that, Ro Teimumu Kepa has every right under the sun to make any public statement on behalf of her people on any matter of national importance as she deems fit. Ben Kush Nadi
Rubbish in Fiji
There has been a lot of talk lately about the rubbish littering all of Fiji. The starting point to the solution is to remove all the rubbish from the Government first. It is not rocket science. With all the talk about land rights and land security, people certainly have no respect for their land. They just want to hoard the land and fill it with rubbish. All the hypocrisy from God-fearing fakes is plain to see. But why can’t others see what I can see? Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Traffic jam
Traffic jam has become a major issue in the Western Division. What makes it worse is when some buses that serve daily routes at peak hours force passengers to get off or board the bus in the middle of the road rather than pulling over at the bus stop. I understand they are trying to beat the traffic congestion to maintain their time schedules. It seems no matter how early one wakes up and leaves home for the office or school, one would have to go through traffic jam wasting their precious time stuck lining up. However, more people have access to private cars and it has resulted in more traffic congestion. How can these traffic problems be solved? I believe FRA could plan for more roads such as four lanes. NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Audacity!
With absolute shameless boldness, Jone Usamate says the Government is showing audacity in trying to amend the constitution. Just like the audacity shown when the 1997 Constitution was abrogated and then the Ghai graft constitution was lit? Was it not audacity when the so called ‘people’s’ constitution was heaped on the nation? Who all were privy to the formulation of the 2013 Constitution? Were you, Mr Usamate? Were the voting public? Was it not the audacity of only those two to show utter, arrogant disregard for the people of Fiji then? The audacity of their insolent, impertinent behaviour, was it not? MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Avenue, Lautoka
Lynda’s setback
It seems like drama queen Lynda Tubuya’s much anticipated return to Cabinet as a full minister would remain a far-fetched dream as the Prime Minister has hinted at not tolerating MPs who have misbehaved (FT 18/03). Solid call. Apparently, Lynda’s desperate attempt to reconcile or make amends through the “matanigsau” (traditional apology) involving some high profile chiefs from Kadavu weren’t well-received or perceived as genuine by the prime minister and the members of the Coalition Government. Rambo may be sending a strong message about accountability by refusing to entertain members of parliament who have a track record of mis-behaviour and defiance. Meanwhile, it’s back to the naughty corner for poor Ms Tubuya. “Aur banao” (make another) video! Nishant Singh Lautoka
Too old
Age would prevent Sitiveni Rabuka from running many top companies in the country. Just as I think that he is too old to be an effective Prime Minister. Now hearing that he wants to stand for election again, he might just run the country into the drain. Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Foundations of CWMH!
Monday’s in-depth by Meri Radinibaravi focused on the foundations of the Colonial War Memorial Hospital which was established in 1923 as a tribute to Fijians who served and sacrificed their lives in World War I. The CWM Hospital has indeed survived historical events like the coups, Prince Charles’ visit in 1970, natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital has served thousands of patients and needs urgent attention in terms of repair and maintenance. A lot of Fijians depend on the CWM Hospital, and it is unable to provide the best treatment because of the shortage of resources and resource personnel. The hospital needs urgent attention. It needs painting. The hospital needs more beds, medical equipment and wheelchairs. I request the Health Minister to address the shortfall. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Historical stories
Vinaka vakalevu to John Kamea (FT16/3) for your beautiful collection of exquisite historical stories. Truly enlightening and enjoyed reading them all. Please keep them coming. Colin Deoki Australia
Hypocrisy
Opposition MP Jone Usamate said in Parliament the other day that Government institutions have suffered over the past few decades. Quite bizarre really, this coming from a senior minster in the former Bainimarama Government, from 2014 to 2022. What did he do about these institutions in the eight years he was minister? Why talk big now? Ben Kush Nadi
Colourful celebration
The Fiji Times editor-in-chief, Fred Wesley’s, comments as highlighted with people playing with paints (FT 17/3) will unite Fijians more in Fiji’s plural society. Coincidentally Muslims in this Holy month of Ramadhan will conclude 30 days of fasting, celebrating with EID in a few days with their relatives, neighbours and friends. The traditional drink samai with sweets and food will continue throughout the week. The fun-loving, God-fearing Fijians are famous for the bula welcome smile wherever they are. Eid Mubarak and God bless us all. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Rolex watch
Why would anybody give you a $150,000 watch? Sukha Singh Labasa
Bill defeat
What is the next move PM? Are you going to create additional ministers’ posts to achieve the 75 percent? Or make it 2/3 and redo the process? I am certain that if the FFP still exists, any amendment required to the 2013 Constitution will never ever succeed. Just as Tessa Mackenzie stated (FT 11/3/25), “Stop the nonsense! You are wasting time and money”. I feel that it is either the PM has been ill-advised or incompetent or both, for that matter. We can not control the consequences of our compromises, for we open ourselves to unpredictable outcomes. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
Huffing and puffing
Not sure if anyone else realises, but the prime minister, his deputies and his ministers are all talk — full of hot air and no substance. There has been a lot of huffing and puffing since the loss of the vote on changing the constitution on the floor of Parliament. The same goes for the chair of the GCC and the members of the GCC — too much huffing and puffing and no substance. But one thing is unchanged, the people of Fiji remain blessed. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Hospital defects, Drua
Drua officiating
The Drua management and coach have finally realised there are double standards when officials referee their games in Australia and New Zealand. Are the Drua so dangerous that rugby apartheid has to be levelled against them to ensure the livelihood of the other rugby franchises in Super Rugby? Are the Super Rugby board and management blatantly agreeing to farcical refereeing by game day officials against the Drua? And will we ever see a non-biased game against the Drua in Super Rugby games away from home? This has happened against the Rebels in 2024, against the Waratahs in Sydney, Hurricanes in New Zealand and again against the Brumbies in Canberra, Australia, earlier this 2025 and just last weekend. We can only hope that the Super Rugby board will try to solve this recurring problem. Else, we will continue to see the All Blacks and Wallabies complain and point to the officiating when they lose a game or the World Cup. As if their rugby officials are beyond reproach. And like the old adage: “What goes around, comes around”. And please, can we have honest and fair officiating for all Drua games going forward. Soko Drua, soko! Epeli Rabua Ragg Avenue, Tamavua, Suva
Need for upgrade
A recent visit to the Lautoka Hospital Emergency Ward pulled at my heart strings. The triage area definitely needs an upgrade. The ceiling air-conditioning unit has mold growing on the vents and the ceiling around it. I shuddered at the thought of how much mold spores had been inhaled already by sick patients. I recall when the ED was newly -opened, there were cleaners constantly disinfecting the doors, windows and walls every hour or so. In the four hours I was there recently, no such cleaning and sanitising was done. There were no sanitisers present for patients to sanitise their hands and no masks for patients who were coughing or given to the elderly to protect them from airborne illnesses. It seems when COVID-19 came and went, all our preventative protocols went out the door as well. I was flabbergasted by the amount of times the triaging nurse had to go and get the blood glucose testing kit from inside the Emergency Ward. It seems that one testing kit was being shared between the triaging area and the Emergency Ward. Perhaps local pharmacies can donate glucose testing kits out of the goodness of their heart. Better still, a local air conditioning company can offer a free servicing of the air conditioning unit in the Lautoka Hospital triaging unit. Imagine if we truly applied our “Bula Spirit” to our much needed healthcare system! Then maybe we would start living up to our slogan of “Fiji, the way the world should be”. Manavesi Lockington Kava Place, Waiyavi, Lautoka
One week in politics
I think it was British PM Harold Wilson who said back in 1964 that “a week is a long time in politics”. One week ago PM Rabuka informed us that Lynda Tabuya was poised to return as Minister for Information. Yesterday we read in The Fiji Times ‘No ministerial post for Tabuya’ (FT 18/3) as “full minister says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka”. Yes a week is indeed a long time in politics. Nobody might know this better than Ms Tabuya. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Cop talk
Three months to improve police operational effectiveness, the minister says (FT 17/3). “Deploying resources forward or prepositioning the capability forward”, may mean something to those schooled in verbiage (or blarney), but whatever it involves and how it is measured we can’t wait for June 17. Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia
