Coalition partners!
Since the takeover of the then Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) dominated government in December 2006 through a military coup, Voreqe Bainimarama was in power until December 2022 when the Coalition Government, a three-legged partnership between the National Federation Party, The People’s Alliance and SODELPA was formed. I remember, heading close to Christmas, there were thousands of Fijians who waited in vain for the Kingmakers, SODELPA, to make known their intentions. Had SODELPA joined the FijiFirst party to form government, things would have been different. To our Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, thank you, for acting in a professional manner to amiably solve the growing tension in the Coalition camp. Sir, had SODELPA joined forces with FijiFirst in December 2022, you would have been in opposition. We would have been living in those dark days of fear, intimidation and deteriorating human and media rights. The Media Industry Development Act (MIDA), which regulated our media industry, would have been in place and the freedom of expression given to many would have been a dream. Sir, it is our wish that the coalition agreement goes right through the next General Elections. Let’s work as a team and continue with the talanoa approach which made things possible. Let’s unite to take Fiji forward. We are preparing to celebrate Ratu Sukuna Day on Friday, May 30. Ratu Sukuna believed in a united Fiji. Let’s live by the great statesman’s legacy and principles! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Supreme court power
The A-G claimed that the 2013 Constitution can’t be declared illegal (FT 11/05). If the Supreme Court can’t do it, then who can? Is it not the final Court of Appeal? Is this a national conspiracy? On April 9, 2009, the Court of Appeal ruled that the doctrine of necessity could not be used to justify a revolutionary regime and the 1997 Constitution thoroughly defines the boundaries of the President’s prerogative powers. The next day, April 10, 2009, in retaliation, Mr Bainimarama abrogated the 1997 Constitution and his military government began, later, the subsequent FijiFirst and the 2013 Constitution. In my opinion, it was simply the blatant disregard for legitimacy, restricting the law to beget political and personal agendas. I believe the abrogation of the 1997 Constitution by Bainimarama remains illegal, therefore, null and void. How many times has Fiji’s constitution been abrogated for the wrong reasons? Do the Fiji people deserve to bear the Coalition’s untrustworthy and dishonourableness? Remember, our life begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter — Dr Martin Luther King Jr. SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi
Migrant worker treatment
Recent media reports have highlighted the disturbing situation of 26 Bangladeshi migrant workers employed by a supermarket in the North who are allegedly victims of serious rights violations. These include being denied food and medical care, threats of deportation and retaliation, wage theft, and even violence. If these accusations are true, it reflects deep negligence and wrongdoing on the part of the employer, who should be held accountable without delay. This disgraceful individual should be named and shamed in public. Ever since their arrival on our shores, the Bangladeshis have faced an enormous number of challenges while adapting to life in a new country. The language and communication barrier makes it even more difficult for them to assimilate with the local culture. To avoid such mounting hardships in a foreign land, I suggest they return to their homeland, or perhaps travel to some other country (with cultural and linguistic similarities) in search of employment where they would gel in with ease. As for addressing the huge labour gaps in the Fijian market, why not employ the increasing number of unemployed, unproductive and able-bodied drunks who roam the cities with no goal in life? There’s an abundance of them here in the urine drenched Sugar City wasting away their valuable life by boozing and being a plain nuisance in public.
The Minister for iTaukei affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, did not mince his words when he earlier remarked that some people, particularly the indigenous populace, dwell in abject poverty by choice. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Being humble
It was amusing to read Honourable Ketan Lal’s post on LinkedIn about his recent meeting with a former president of SODELPA. Hon Lal boasts about what the former leader had to say about his (Hon Lal’s) speeches in Parliament, and then in the same breath goes on to say he remains committed to staying humble. I wonder since when being humble meant having to advertise it. Inoke Vakalalabure Yasiyasi Rd, Nadera, Nasinu
Fall from grace?
SODELPA, from kingmaker with a lot of exuberance and ecstasy to now a kow-towing, submissive and subservient servant propping up an incompetent government. They have been put in their rightful place. All this so that they can continue to enjoy their perks and personal benefits. The benefits for the people of Fiji can come later. Isn’t it amazing that people like being used, abused, discarded and threatened for personal gain. The fall from grace is amazing and the bowing down to freedom of speech to threats from the PM is revolting. But one thing remains unchanged, the people of Fiji are truly blessed. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
FNPF ex-advisor
I have just one thing to tell this interfering foreigner Geoff Rashbrooke who continues to poke his big nose into FNPF’s affairs, mind your own business and stop meddling. Pensioners are suffering.
Emosi Balei Suva
Rashbrooke letter
I misspelt Geoff Rashbrooke’s name in my letter (FT 10/05). I had stated ‘Rushbrook. My apologies to him. However, I reiterate the view that he evidently supports the illegally enacted Decree 51 (FT 3/05) by an illegal regime, and that his argument that affected pensioners’ monthly pensions were being subsidised by current members is baseless. Professor Vijay Naidu Suva
CNN, BBC reports
CNN, BBC and Reuters reports on the India and Pakistan war now sound like a broken record. They should now begin to accept the declining power of USA and Western European nations. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Price of a tabua
The price of a tabua nowadays is around $500 for a decent-sized one. It is normal practice for iTaukei who need a tabua for a traditional commitment to ask their relatives. It is like asking $500 from the relative. It would only be logical therefore that the tabua is replaced by the borrower. It is also time for iTaukei to consider some other item which are readily available and cheaper to use in place of the tabua. Emosi Balei Suva
Rabuka’s democracy
To all of you Rabuka critics (I must say I fall into this category quite often), isn’t it great that we can openly question his capabilities without fear of retribution. Isn’t it great that the papers can actually print our letters without the fear of being censored. That is what Rabuka and his government have given us – they have given us back our freedom of expression and please let us not kid ourselves into saying that we have always had the freedom to express ourselves. Tai Smith Nasinu Sec Sch Rd, Kinoya, Nasinu
Why reserve seats?
Why are they asking for handouts? If they want it, work, sweat, blood, tears and strive for it like any other MP. Freedom, multiracialism and democracy, but remember Parliament is not for the weak and the uneducated, Come on! Fight for your place!, Stand up and be counted! Prove yourselves like the four strong and dedicated women MPs in Parliament today. There is no free ride for women like any other country’s parliament. There are marama MPs who are heavyweights in Premila Kumar, Lenora Qereqeretabua who women can tap on to assist form an all marama political party for our 2026 General Election. How’s that for a start as a suggestion? Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi
Coalition and games
Rabuka on coalition
Rabuka on coalition: ‘Trust is no longer there’ (FT 13/5). I believe a vast majority of Fijians would say PM Rabuka is absolutely right about that. There was national euphoria when the coalition took office as the government of change. So when did trust begin to abandon the coalition and why? When did the perception set in that instead of being the people-centred government it promised to be, it degenerated into a self-serving gang in government? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Yes! We can do away with playing
While we are being branded the poorest of the poor in Fiji, while we sit on the gold or diamond mines, I am of the view that parents of our school kids can do away with all games. One can see now that the gates to all sports are so expensive, not like when they got started some years back. We marched in free. Now it is a hundred dollars, for three days of watching our own kids run on tracks or fifty bucks for two days of a rugby tournament, or zone meet of athletics. Yes, that is money talk! Yet they are telling the world: “These are the poorest of the poor in Fiji. Look at them, packed up like a can of sardines, watching all kinds of games”. That is the truth. We are being used by the brains behind all sports. We are being robbed daily. It is my plea to our dear parents, please give a clear directive to our kids. Let’s focus on schoolwork – like our friends the Fijians of Indian descent, or the Chinese. They are well off, disciplined, and have vision, focusing on the best side of life, while we are sinking further down our pool of mud-empty pockets, emptying our pockets and our brain box, too. Yes, our kids. We can do it. Stop the games! Isikeli Nakato Raiwaqa, Suva
Stop domestic violence
“It’s up to all of us to make sure that we are doing everything we can to make clear to our society and to the public the horrific nature of domestic abuse, the impact it has on people’s lives and the need for us as a society to say: Stop it.” – Theresa May, MP, British Parliament. Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
We need roads
We understand that Wainunu farmers in Bua are crying to Government to build their farm roads. This means that they have access to good roads where buses and other vehicles run. That is wonderful indeed. They only need farm roads! Just across to the Cakaudrove province is Tunuloa district, the most unfortunate tikina in Fiji, that badly needs a road for ease of transportation. For too long we have been treading on horse tracks up until today. We needed the road before most of our rural farmers did. Jioji O. Toronibau Navetau, Tunuloa
