Constitution questions
The Constitution of the USA was written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and the first Government under the Constitution began operating in 1789. Since then there have been 27 amendments to their Constitution. However, over 90 per cent of the original document remains intact till date. Today, they pretty much rule the world and the US President sets the tone for the rest of the world, be it in warfare, economic matters, and many other things. We have had the 1970, 1990, 1997 Constitutions in the past and we currently have the 2013 document as our guiding light. We seem determined to either amend it or jettison it altogether. In 1787, they were writing a federal system with checks and balances that would still stand today. They were thinking at that level when even the light bulb wasn’t invented (it was invented in 1879). Steam locomotives came about in 1804. Anaesthesia for surgery came about in 1846. Telephone and pretty much most other things all came after that. Can we come up with a Constitution that can stand 50 years? I bet yes. I read somewhere that a review team might be appointed in the new year. This is irrelevant to the next general elections. I’m talking long term, stability and growth. This is not a politically motivated letter. Donald Singh Suva
Urban villages
The architect Ashok Balgovind remarked (FT 21/11) that people renting flats in places such as Raiwaqa “are alienated, they come from all different parts of Fiji and there’s no sense of community”. I agree, and indeed made the same point 30 years ago in a paper I prepared for the Constitution Review Commission (see Lal & Vakatora (eds) 1997), adding that this alienation is one of the causes of the criminal behaviour for which Raiwaqa and other housing estates are renowned. The solution is before our eyes: urban settlements that are vanua-based. I quote from the above-mentioned document: “Many Fijians in Suva choose to live in communal village-style settlements in the suburbs, for example Tovata (people from Ono, Moce, Kadavu, Noco), Veiquawa (Wainimala, Matuku), Narere (Vatoa), Qauia (Namosi, Nasau (Ra), Nabobuco, (Bua, Maloku), Matasivaro (Lakeba), Delaitokatoka (Kabara). They are in many ways ideal for raising children with the advantages of an urban situation while retaining something of their cultural identity, and none has gained such notoriety for criminal behaviour as the racially-mixed Raiwai and Raiwaqa”. The way forward is for the rental board to allocate estates to particular vanua, which will then replicate that vanua in an urban setting, including houses (not necessarily blocks of flats) arranged as in a village, farmland, a valelevu, and a valenivuli (schoolroom) for students to do homework and revision under supervision of a qualified (maybe retired) teacher. We have been allocating rental housing in blocks of flats and chicken coops willy-nilly for over 70 years now. The time has come to consider alternative approaches that may prove to result in less alienation and criminal behaviour, and perhaps even children who know and respect the language and culture of their vanua. Paul Geraghty USP, Suva
New party
How many more political parties will now claim that God spoke to them in to establish a new party for the people? Avenai Serutabua Nabukelevu Village, Serua
Good Friday and birthday
This year my 80th birthday was on April 18, which we celebrated Good Friday. Next year, Good Friday is on Friday, April 3! Which is correct, my birth date, or Jesus’ death date? Just asking, anyway. Luke Kulanikoro Savusavu
CCTV please
Can the various councils install more CCTV all over the major cities, and towns around the country please? Why not place them in hotspots around the city area, like opposite night clubs, market places, bus bays, including the areas opposite the Suva bus stand, where young men continue to sell loose cigarettes rolls on a daily basis. I believe with CCTV being installed, this will deter a lot of criminal activities from happening. Manoa Kaleca Vishnu Deo Rd, Nakasi
Provident fund first
Collin Deoki on “The word – provident” (FT21/11) should be honoured for our surviving loyal retired members to enjoy their lifetime pensions. This will bring peace with blessings and forgiveness with faith in the government of the day. There can be no peace without justice. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
No overseas visit!
Dan Urai’s letter in which he poses the question “Can Fiji exist in isolation?” is titled ‘No overseas visits!’ FT 22/11). Is this an attempt by the trade unionist to gloss over the apparent abuse of overseas travels made by the Rabuka gang in government which many public spirited citizens have criticised? Peceli Alistir’s keen observation in the same letters’ page, “we have grown too accustomed to brushing aside serious wrong doing without ever demanding real accountability” is poignant. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Education, mess and child abuse
A sickness we must confront!
There’s a sickness festering in our nation and it must be confronted without fear or apology. It’s the sexual abuse of children in Fiji. Why are grown adults, people who should know better, people who should protect the young, violating their own children, nieces, nephews and the innocent little ones who trust them? What kind of moral decay drives a person to such unforgivable depravity? I look at my own grandchildren and see pure innocence. Then I read these shocking cases in our courts and I imagine the lifelong psychological, emotional and physical scars these victims must carry. It’s unbearable to even contemplate. A righteous anger fills me because no child should ever suffer at the hands of the very adults who’re meant to protect them and keep them safe. If Fiji’s children cannot feel safe inside their own homes, if predators hide behind smiles, family ties and respected titles, then we, as a nation have failed them. Completely. We must stop pretending this is a series of isolated incidents. It’s not. It’s a pattern. It’s a plague. And our silence only feeds it. I cannot understand what drives a grown adult to harm a child. There’s no justification. None. Their actions are reprehensible, destructive and in every sense of the word, evil. Our responsibility now is clear: Fiji must protect its children at all costs. Stronger laws. Faster convictions. Harsher sentences. And a national awakening that says, once and for all, we will not tolerate predators in our midst. The children of Fiji deserve to grow up safe, cherished and unbroken. We owe them nothing less. Colin Deoki Australia
Education Bill!
The proposed Education Bill 2025, as reported in one of the daily newspapers on November 22, is a timely and necessary step toward strengthening respect and safety within our schools. The inclusion of penalties of up to $5000 — or one-year imprisonment for insulting, harassing, or assaulting teachers and students sends a clear message that such behaviour will no longer be tolerated. For far too long, teachers have faced increasing hostility from a minority of parents, community members, and even students. This has contributed to stress, burnout, and declining morale across the education system. By criminalising actions that disturb school programs or threaten staff and students, the Bill rightly prioritises the wellbeing of those who dedicate their lives to educating our children. While legislation alone cannot fix all challenges in schools, it provides a strong foundation for rebuilding respect for the teaching profession. It also reinforces the shared responsibility of parents, communities, and authorities to maintain safe learning environments. The Education Bill 2025 deserves broad public support as it recognises the critical role teachers play and ensures they are protected both inside and outside the classroom. Indar Deo Bisun Sakoca Heights, Tamavua, Suva
Been there, used it!
My line of work is a never-ending one of travelling to all the urban centres of Fiji with the exception of Levuka. During these travels, I have had the wonderful privilege of using the public toilets in Fiji’s cities and towns-even if it’s been just for a 2 minute trickle. On rare occasions it’s sometimes a wee bit longer. From those delightful moments spent in them, I have seen and smelt enough and read the graffiti to be able to privately rank the lavatories in terms of cleanliness, usability and aesthetic appeal in my mind. So here goes: Ba, Rakiraki, Suva Bus Stand, Savusavu, Nadi Bus Stand and its market one are all equal at the bottom. Navua, Tavua, and Labasa are just slightly above and so is Nausori. Thanks to recent renovations — the Lautoka Bus stand and Sigatoka loos are sitting comfortably at the top end of the scale. Alone at top spot is the Tailevu one in Korovou Town. From the outside one sees a building that has sharp defined architectural lines. It is well-constructed, spacious, clean, has clean white tiles very well-lit and hygienic. Travellers may be forgiven for thinking that one is entering an operating theatre! All in all, the Tailevu Town loo is aesthetically pleasing. And the 50 cents entry fee is worth it. Nadi Airport terminal ones are in a different class of their own. Happy travelling, enjoy the sights, smells, the graffiti, and the facility when passing through our urban centres. William Rosa Ba
Raita mess!
Saturday lunch time (22/11) while I was reading FT, catching up with latest events, one of my twin daughters arrived at my sons place carrying a dish of Indian salad known as raita. This is made up of whipped yoghurt, chopped carrots cucumbers, onions etc. Raita is served as a delicacy during social gatherings, either religious or wedding ceremonies etc. People would fill their plates with rice, roti, dhal, curries etc, and then top it up with raita. This raita would then soak through the food and mess up the whole plate. Hence, we’ve the Hindi expression, raita failao — mess up the issues currently in play. I was reading through the first mess up in the FT of Dr Wadan Narsey, a Electoral Review Commission member releasing publicly the Commissions Report prematurely. At the mention of raita I smiled and thanked daughter for the inspiration. The action of Dr Narsey is another dent to NFP after the indignity of the DPM and Finance Minister’s resignation. Dr Narsey being a former NFP parliamentarian makes the issue a significant one (failao raita). Next when I shifted the FT online pages, I came across the headline “Industry on the rebound”. The photograph showing lightly-loaded rail – carts with 1/2 to 1 and 1/2 tonne of sugar cane didn’t match with the headline. I wonder what the three gentlemen in the photograph and the Sugar Minister are proud of. To us, the Minister of Sugar and all the top officials associated with the industry have messed it up. To make it worse, the minister belittles a popular farmer who had served on the FSC board. This is very childish and a further dent to the minister’s reputation (aur raita failao). The issue of raita failao also reminded me of the PM declaring that our Government has still to pay more than $100million to USP. In between, the Coalition Government threw in ‘Back to School’ $200 positive news to make parents happy with a later VETO that it will be given before 2026 school year begins. Also, another little positive news of a potential 3.4 per cent economic growth for 2025. But how the cake will be shared on the actual ground, many of us are sceptical. We’ve a little more than a month before year ends. Let us hope there is no mess up and plenty of raita is prepared during the hot humid season for guests during weddings and social gatherings. Rakesh Chand Sharma Adelaide, Australia
