COI report!
‘PM ready to publish report’ (FT: 23/06)! Thank you, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, for confirming to The Fiji Times that Government was ready to publish the unredacted version of the Commission of Inquiry Report that has been making headlines on the print media and on social media. The way forward, PM! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Eye clinic
Yesterday Monday, June 23, was the fifth time I went to the Eye Clinic. On my last visit a few months ago, they set September 10 check up on a possible cataract operation. Early last week they rang and asked for me to go there yesterday morning. There were quite a few of us who were called to be there. And yesterday again, I decided to do this: here I am, to write a few lines on my opinions on the CWM Eye Clinic. We have heard of critical comments from people seeking medical services at hospitals and health clinics around our beloved country, we have also heard of the few praiseworthy incidents on the subject. Our Eye Clinic at Brown Street is always a hive of activity, each time I have been there for clinical check up, I walk out of there a happy person. To me, they are a committed bunch of dedicated, hard-working personnel. It is the reflection of the culture there. Moses Fong Suva
HIV crisis
Wake up Fiji, we are being warned that Fiji is on the brink of a full blown HIV epidemic, and health experts have warned that the outbreak requires an immediate response. National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response chair Dr Jason Mitchell said the high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevalent in our population were also driving the surge in new HIV infections. In- Christ Christians who are transformed and empowered by the Holy Spirit know that in times of crisis, whatever it may be; it is time to get on our knees and surrender life to Christ and pray for God the Father to battle on our behalf. Surrender means sharing your faith in whatever way you can and get people to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour and be transformed and empowered to reflect the Saviour’s character and walk the talk. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and every other sexually transmitted disease are the result of breaking the Creator’s marriage institution. Sex was enjoyed by Adam and Eve after Christ performed the first recorded marriage in the Bible. In Christ Christians have God’s moral law, the Ten Commandments, the law of love, love to God and neighbor written in their hearts. God is still in the business of transforming lives and I believe that if all in Christ Christians unite and preach the Gospel of Christ and His redeeming sacrifice and love, many Fijians will do the right thing and a transformed in-Christ life means a rapid reduction in HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. We cannot expect the God of nations to bless Fiji, if sin in all its different forms are rapidly affecting the lives of Fijians negatively. Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa Tacirua
Overgrown trees
Has anyone noticed the hugely overgrown trees on the approach to Nadi Airport? Who is entrusted to keep the trees in shape in addition to the trees being aesthetically relevant to the environment. Some branches intrude on the left lane of the road which brush against large trucks passing by, some branches are hanging so low on the footpath that you have to bow low to pass under them and some branches are rustling the street lights and hiding the light. Where is Tourism Fiji and the Tourism Ministry? Don’t they see the urgent need to trim the trees to make the airport entry pleasant to see? Ajai Kumar Nadi
COI report
When the long-anticipated COI Report is released, I expect the PM and the President to be wearing kalavata and salusalu and the COI Report would have to be wrapped in reams of tapa cloth. The occasion would not be complete if it was not followed by cake-cutting with all those named in the report holding the knife and grinning from ear to ear. Traditions must be maintained at all costs. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
My question!
Watching the 2025 Fiji Revival healing service online, I pondered why didn’t the so-called self proclaimed Prophet David Owuor attend to the sick at CWM Hospital? Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Yoga culture
I am all for yoga and the profound health and wellbeing benefits it gives its practitioners. What I can’t understand is why the International Day for Yoga was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel with perhaps a select group of people? Why couldn’t it be held at Albert Park, just across from the GPH, with an open invitation to the public to participate? I could very well be wrong but it looks to me like the International Day for Yoga in Fiji was a rather elitist affair. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Mid-year exams
Best wishes to all students sitting for their mid-year exams this week. May you be filled with clarity of mind and confidence in your preparation. Remember, exams are not just a test of memory, they are a celebration of your learning journey so far. Revise well, stay focused, and believe in yourself. All the best! RODNEY CLARENCE RAJ Naleba, Labasa
Relevant curriculum
Since we know that a new school curriculum will be rolled out from 2026 to match the needs on the ground, do you think it would be prudent to get rid of the unnecessary portions which we never use in our entire lives and save one year from the school life span? Perhaps, that would cushion the vacuum in the workforce of the nation as students would start work a year earlier. Instead of doing direct industry attachments, just begin work and learn. I mean, that is what is happening anyway when one joins the workforce. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
No more bombs
You can’t bomb people into peace, just into surrender. Those that survive will not think well of their aggressors, hatred will endure. There must be a way to bring people in the Middle East and loud words and explosions are the wrong approach. Quiet words and a lot of prayers may help. Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia
All Blacks and education
A new era begins
It’s exciting to see the All Blacks squad announced, featuring a great mix of experience and fresh talent — with five debutants earning their places in the team. It’s especially great to see players of Fijian heritage like Sevu Reece, Emoni Narawa, and Timoci Tavatavanawai included in the Test squad. Their flair, pace, and natural attacking style will no doubt bring excitement to the All Blacks’ upcoming matches. However, it was unfortunate to see the likes of George Bower, and Hoskins Sotutu miss out. In my opinion, players like Bower and Hoskins — if not in the All Blacks’ plans — should consider declaring for the Flying Fijians. Their inclusion could significantly impact Fiji’s playing style and bring even more strength to the squad heading into the test season. As for the All Blacks, the next few months will be telling. The Test Series will show how well this newly assembled team can gel — and whether they have what it takes to win the series. It’s shaping up to be an exciting season of rugby! RAHUL KRISHNA Auckland, New Zealand
Challenges to our education system
The opinion by Ben Salacakau and Glenis Yee in last Saturday’s The Fiji Times regarding challenges facing our schools was an eye-opener. It lucidly and eloquently elaborated Infrastructure Investment, Curriculum Modernization, Teacher Training and Development, Employer Consultation and Community Corroboration as the five critical areas needing attention in our education system. Of these, community corroboration needs further discussion. This has several faces. One is the provision of the physical infrastructure and finance, where religious organisations contribute substantially. The other is the need to enhance informal education. Here the media and the schools both play significant roles. But so could the employers and the community at large. Education and training of our young needs mentoring, role-setting, hands-on introduction to the employment sector as well as the basic science and the 3 Rs provided in schools. Employers know that the young university graduate rarely has the required operational knowledge when they enter the work force. The real know-how always has to be acquired on the job. There is a need for a middle ground – be it extended school visits or full attachments. Community leaders (of both the religious and the secular types) need to communicate with the students to convey their messages. Yet this is hampered by government policies, rules and regulations. As a university academic, I endeavoured to spread awareness of the climate crisis to schools both through inviting schools to universities and awaiting invitations from schools themselves. I was invariably reminded that I would have to seek permissions – that was the final damper. Ben and Glenis have spoken well. Hopefully others will join the fray and add their own voices. Anirudh Singh Melbourne, Australia
Rent arrears
The total number of enforcement orders secured by TLTB is 16, since January 2025 (FT 21/6/25). Does this have to be endured by the TLTB? What is Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination trying to prove? Is the plight of the landowners not a concern? Is it not UNDRIP? It prohibits forms of discrimination and affirms the rights to lands and resources, for promoting the wellbeing of indigenous people, in my view. Why is it that such issues only arise when dealing with iTaukei land owners? Who is discriminating against who? I think it is about time TLTB stops being “politically correct”, as only the iTaukei land and resource owners will bear the receiving end. Unfortunately, the tenants usually exploit the system and its political means as their shield. To compromise is essential, but not to such an extent that continuous disrespect and dishonour are deliberately ignored. The iTaukei land and resource owners have sacrificed so much and received very little in return. I think TLTB has to meticulously inject a “deterrence” clause, that will make tenants not even think of perpetuation. Sometimes, it is necessary to draw a line in the sand. Samu Silatolu Nakasi
