No card, no ride INDAR DEO BISUN SAKOCA HEIGHTS, TAMAVUA SUVA
THE decision to strictly enforce the “No card, no ride” policy across Fiji’s public bus system marks an important transition towards a fully cashless and modern transport network. While the policy has merit, its implementation must be accompanied by responsibility, preparedness, and sensitivity to public realities. A cashless system improves accountability, reduces fare disputes, and enhances efficiency for operators and commuters alike. After several years of transition, awareness campaigns, and the issuance of hundreds of thousands of eTransport cards, it is reasonable for authorities to expect compliance. Public transport users, including parents and guardians, must take responsibility to ensure that cards are available and adequately topped up before travel. However, strict enforcement should not overlook vulnerable groups. School children, the elderly, rural commuters, and low-income earners may still face challenges in accessing top-up facilities, especially in remote areas or during emergencies. Abrupt denial of transport could place unnecessary hardship on those who depend entirely on buses for education, work, and medical needs. Authorities and operators should therefore complement enforcement with practical support: more accessible top-up points, mobile top-up units, clear communication, and limited discretion in genuine hardship cases. A policy succeeds not only through firmness, but through fairness and inclusivity. “No card, no ride” should be seen not as a punishment, but as a shared responsibility between operators, commuters, and regulators. With better co-ordination and public co-operation, Fiji can achieve a cashless transport system that is efficient, humane, and truly serves the people.
On the ball RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM BALGOVIND RD, NADAWA, NASINU
I AGREE with Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne that they have laid down a solid foundation during their recent Northern tour, signaling strong progress as the Flying Fijians prepare for next year’s Nations Cup Championship and play the Six Nations teams- England, Ireland, France, Scotland, Wales and Italy. All these matches will test our character and fighting spirit. The boys have shown they have the guts, determination and passion to match these sides. What Byrne and his team management must work on is our mental preparation and handling pressure in the final quarter. This is where we tend to falter and allow the opposition to steal a win, as was witnessed in our 38- 18 and 34-21 loss at the hands of England’s Roses and the Les Bleus. We need to prepare well and let the boys gel in camp well before time!’
Third gender AREKI DAWAI MAHARAJ PLACE, SUVA
WITH the advocacy and championing by the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Fiji Women’s Rights Movement for the recognition and acceptance of transgender (non-binary) into our society, I believe FWCC and FWRM should be more careful as this could bring about a threesome matrimony in the future. Needless to say, I wonder if any from the FWCC or FWRM could explain the dynamics or functionality of who will be who in that simultaneous union.
Referendum Bill RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA
ACCORDING to Dialogue Fiji executive director Nilesh Lal, the National Referendum Bill in its current form will stifle freedom of speech and curtail open public debate on issues of national importance to the people of Fiji. As a layman I must leave that to expert legal minds to authenticate. What I do know is that a good democracy does not deliberately take away the people’s right to free speech and public discourse. That is the way of authoritarian and rogue regimes. Has Fiji become a good democracy with the exit of the authoritarian FijiFirst government? Or, in the famous words of PM Rabuka we are “not there yet”
Unprofessional conduct NAD BOSLEY NASOLE, NASINU
I WISH to share a concern regarding a customer service experience I encountered on December 15 while collecting my carton that arrived from Australia at the Swire Shipping Company. On this day, a female Customs officer attended to members of public, without greeting customers and displayed an unapproachable attitude. As a government officer in uniform representing the Customs Department, I believe she has a responsibility to treat customers with basic courtesy and professionalism. Later, a male Customs officer attended to the same group and demonstrated excellent customer service by greeting everyone politely and interacting in a cheerful and respectful manner. His conduct reflected the standard of service the public expects from government officers. Simple improvement such as greeting customers, maintaining a pleasant demeanour, communicating respectfully, and remembering that public service involves dealing with people would greatly improve future interactions. I hope this concern is taken constructively to enhance customer service within the department.
Ministers readjust NARAYAN REDDY LAUTOKA
WITH less than a year away from next general election, the Prime Minister decided to reshuffle cabinet ministers again. The new line ministers will take time to readjust themselves to the new ministries and many will settle down after three to four months time. Then again the same ministers will be starting their election champaign when they’ve just settled in their new ministries and the mindset will be focused on general election. It gives them very little time to do many things affecting both the service performance and service delivery. This is something that needs to be looked at before election and reshuffle.
Why the west NISHANT SINGH LAUTOKA
MANY migrants from the Middle East risk dangerous sea journeys to reach Europe and other Western nations, largely to escape war, instability, and economic collapse in their home countries in search of safety and opportunity. However, it is deeply concerning that a small but visible number of asylum seekers have gone on to disregard the laws of their host countries, with some committing violent crimes against law-abiding citizens. This has understandably eroded public trust and raised serious questions. Why are so many migrants determined to settle in Western countries when cultural incompatibility can lead to social tension, unrest, and in extreme cases, radicalisation? If the goal is safety and stability, why are wealthy Middle Eastern nations, where language, religion, and culture are more closely aligned, so often bypassed? Why not settle there? Western societies are built on the rule of law, individual freedoms, and mutual respect. Those who seek refuge should be willing to uphold these values. Asylum should not be mistaken for immunity from the law. You’re not special! The message is simple and reasonable: If you are welcomed into a new country, you must respect its laws, values, and ways of life. Those who refuse to integrate or who engage in criminal behaviour should forfeit the right to remain. Go back! My sincere condolences to the victims of the recent Bondi massacre.
Bondi Beach massacre DANIEL FATIAKI SUVA
I WATCHED in disbelief, the events that unfolded at Bondi beach where a father and son opened fire at unarmed civilians gathered to celebrate a religious ceremony, killing 15 innocent men, women , and children. And l wondered if any of the victims were visiting the well known Sydney beach as tourists who just happened to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time. Then I wondered what does it mean to be radicalised’? I hear this mentioned a lot in the context of Islam and terrorism, but I confess to a complete lack of understanding. Does it mean to kill as many Jews or people as one can, at random? That’s certainly what it looked like. But then, a lone hero Ahmad, which sounds like a Muslim name, in a fearless act of bravery manually disarmed one of the shooters and disproved any possible association with or condemnation of Islam. Can someone please enlighten me or do I have to resort to the Oracle “CHATBOT AI”, yet again?
Littering in Nasinu RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM BALGOVIND RD, NADAWA, NASINU
AS a resident of Balgovind Rd in Nadawa, Nasinu, I express my disappointment with the amount of littering in Nasinu area. It saddens me to see the amount of litter around Nasinu, especially the residential areas. It also saddens me to see pictures being posted on social and print media. Despite the awareness, littering continues to make headlines. The Fiji Times must be commended for highlighting the state of littering numerous times via its witness column and via the stories, but it has not got the attention of those who are responsible for this issue. Once rubbish is left outside, it is prone to stray dogs, rain and sunshine, and becomes an eyesore to the human eye. Apart from this, it poses serious challenges to human health. Rubbish left outside residential areas is a menace to those who are living there. Along Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, a group of irresponsible citizens dump their rubbish at a chosen spot close to a cassava patch. This is so frustrating because Nasinu Town Council collects rubbish from the spot and people come and dump rubbish there. It looks like we have people without a heart for the environment. We can do better than we are doing. Littering should be our concern. Together, we can, Nasinu residents!
Long shot RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA
DANIEL Fatiaki poses many pertinent and honest questions regarding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FT 17/12 ). I doubt we will get honest answers. Giving honest answers regarding our coups and the associated atrocities is, I believe, not in the DNA of the perpetrators and their bankrollers. It won’t happen.
Rabuka’s reshuffle RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA
YET another Cabinet reshuffle by PM Rabuka in his government’s fourth year in power (FT 17/12), reminds me of the proverb “the more things change the more they stay the same“. What the Rabuka Coalition Government has in common with the FijiFirst government it replaced is that they both failed to deliver on their pledge to the people of Fiji. The FijiFirst gang promised a “clean up” of governance, but left a lot of mess and rot instead. The Rabuka gang promised good governance, but has instead been dysfunctional and shambolic to the point that the popular perception now is that it too must go come the next election.
Shifting the blame RAKESH CHAND SHARMA ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
A BACKGROUND check by the Australian Government and AFP on Sajid Akram revealed that 25 years ago, he immigrated from Hyderabad, India to Australia, married an Italian woman and converted to Christianity (ABC News). How Sajid and his son (born in Australia) were radicalised, the Australian government’s intelligence officers have very little knowledge until now. Australia is a member of Five Eyes intelligence sharing countries comprising USA, UK, Canada and New Zealand. The fact is that, either Western countries had thought that they were immune to terrorist attacks and had become complacent or were busy making mischief in other countries.
Corrupt practices WISE MUAVONO HEDSTROM PL, BALAWA, LAUTOKA
IN Fiji corruption is not a new phenomenon. It has spread its roots in government, the private sector and now the Fiji Police Force. Sad eh !
