Enjoy the festive season responsibly
Someone you know is preparing for their first Christmas without a family member. Regardless of the specifics please remember don’t drink and drive. I do not want read anything tragic about our friends and families in our favourite newspaper. Every year Christmas is not same for all. The season of joy is often a season of sorrow for some. Don’t give loved ones a hard time. NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Joshua and Jake
Boxer Jake Paul suffered a double broken jaw after Anthony Joshua delivered a knockout blow. Paul, who was dropped to the canvas three times, suffered a round six knockout by Joshua, after the fight, Paul spat out blood. The brutal encounter took its toll on Paul as Joshua delivered big hits and massive punches. Paul had been evading Joshua’s punches in the early rounds, and he did not engage in a fight as Joshua tried to land. However, as predicted, Joshua hit his rival with a clean shot and from there it wasn’t long until the referee stopped the fight. Paul was not comfortable and looked off target because of the punches that landed on him. He put up a smile after the fight, but the writing was clear. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Poverty level
Preliminary findings on financial challenges faced by a nuclear family of four indicates earnings of around $400 a week will ensure, workers live above the poverty line. Annual wage increase have been low and cannot catch up to the increasing costs of living. Yet questions are raised why young people refuse to work. I believe the solution is starring at everyone in the face. DAN URAI Lautoka
Changing dates
Can someone tell me why Easter or Good Friday holidays differ every year? This year it was on April 18th, while next year it will be on March 3. If Christ was born on December 25, then why the yearly change about his supposed death date? Any comments or answer from the Bible? LUKE KULANIKORO Savusavu
It’ not Xmas
It’s not Xmas, that’s not right, Christmas is the right word. By putting an X instead of Jesus Christ, takes Him out of our heart and world. It seems to be all about commercialism and the ongoing war between good and evil. There’s the growing focus on materialism, driving us to a less than spiritual level. EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admirals Circle, Pacific Harbour
Approved tariff increase
The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has approved a revised electricity tariff increase of 24.2 per cent, significantly lower than the 37 per cent proposed by Energy Fiji Ltd. There has been mention of public consultations being held in regards to this sudden change. Can someone from FCCC please present those consultation details because many seem to be unaware of it. Our people are just curious and demanding accountability and transparency. Not too much of a demand, is it? KIRTI PATEL Mohan Singh Pl, Lautoka
FNPF pensioners
For some time now we have been reading numerous letters in our daily newspaper, The Fiji Times. Regular writers on this issue were a retired high school principal Dewan Chand of Tamavua, Suva and Ronnie Cheng of Martintar, Nadi. Few others also wrote and supported the views of these two outstanding writers. I believe the previous FijiFirst Government suddenly reduced the regular pensions of these retirees without proper consultations in 2012. About 10 years ago I met a close friend of mine at a wedding in Suva. He was a senior officer in the Labour Ministry and retired few years before 2012. According to him he budgeted all his activities based on his fortnight pension of about $1000, but this was suddenly reduced to about $480. While explaining this he was emotional and even had tears in his eyes. He thanked Almighty that his wife was still employed in a private firm. For me it’s very difficult to understand why and how this situation arose. On one hand FNPF always says its financial position is very healthy. It invested a lot of money in profitable properties on behalf of its members. I am told even Government takes money from FNPF on interest. After all these why then reduce the pensions of a group of seniors who gave so much towards the development of our beautiful country. Being a civil pensioner myself, I am not sure how the FNPF pension scheme works. I also believe that there is a strong case, therefore, the current government approved $4million to assist this group in their last budget. I do not know how this money was used. But if there is any shortcomings now, the government should take the matter up and influence the FNPF to correct the situation. VIJAY MAHARAJ Tadevo Settlement, Navua.
No grog surprise
While on the flight to Nadi last Saturday, I began chatting with two iTaukei men with PR in Australia. When I mentioned that I was looking forward to freshly pounded grog in the evening, I was surprised to hear them saying they didn’t take grog. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all . RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Grave concern
While some police officers are already in the payroll, I believe there is a grave concern that if the drug syndicates get hold of senior military officers into their payroll to provide information, protect and assist the importation and safe delivery of manufactured drugs, boom we’re done! AREKI DAWAI Maharaj Place, Suva
Millions for change
We hear a lot about climate change spending millions of dollars to address this increasing problem. We keep trying to find ways to ensure practical targets to develop that food production is well taken care of while also reducing emission. Walking and talking is evident, but we keep polluting our environment. Our leaders all over the world need to spend millions of dollars. We can’t eat money!. TAHIR ALI Hamilton, New Zealand
Lesson for Paul
Joshua managed to catch Jake Paul in the sixth round and knock him out and also break his jaw. It wasn’t much of a fight, but Jake Paul received $120million and Joshua received $60million. Jake Paul was lucky with only a jaw broken and was not crippled or killed. I hope Jake Paul has learnt a lesson. SUKHA SINGH Labasa
Electricity bill
The increase is massive compared to the minimum wage increase. It will increase cost of doing business and the lowly paid Fijian workers will suffer the brunt of such increase. DAN URAI Lautoka
Peace time
Christmas is a “season of peace and goodwill” for many around the world, but what is the reality? It’s time we all tried to make the world a better place, especially our leaders and politicians. Santa would be happier. Anyway best wishes for 2026. Dennis Fitzgerald Landale St, Box Hill, Vic, Melbourne, Australia
Vulagi logic
Does the chairman and members of the GCC and the wider population realise that the only reason the GCC exists is because of the vulagi population. The GCC would be irrelevant if it was not for the vulagi in the country as would the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs and the TLTB. So, logic tells me that people in these entities had better look after the vulagi! JAN NISSAR Simla, Lautoka
Bondi tragedy, tariff hike
Bulitavu shines
Salote Bulitavu followed the steps of her father Mosese Bulitavu and came out victorious as the president of the People’s Alliance Party Young Alliance. Twenty-year-old Bulitavu, who made a name for herself at the prestigious Adi Cakobau School as a leader, has been vocal on social and national issues. She is confident, determined, brave and bold and has the capability to become a great woman leader. The Kedra, Dogotuki, Macuata lass has proved herself at ACS and it’s time now for her to prove her credentials as the president of the PAP Young Alliance. She has a capable team with her. Our youths will play a vital role in the 2026 General Election, and it is important that we inspire a group of robust and solid young leaders to whom the leadership baton could be passed onto. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Tariff hike
Are the very recent EFL tariff hikes, effective January 01, 2026, to pay for the three new Vuda generators? I stand corrected. As a layman, retiree and robbed FNPF pensioner from 2011, I thought EFL was supposed to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy to help reduce tariffs, not such increases. What happened to the huge injection of finances from a recent JV Partnership, of sorts? Some answers for the ordinary citizens and struggling business entities are appreciated. The increases, as advertised, are unpalatable. The Coalition Government will do well, by special banking assistance, to heavily subsidise costs of solar power supply for the poorer domestic and small business consumers, including all commercial consumers who struggle to make ends meet. Less than two weeks’ notice is grossly unacceptable, in my view. RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
Love, care and respect
Prayers and thoughts go out to individual and families who have lost loved ones at the recent Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia. Other victims may have survived, but are currently seeking medical attention and will have to continue their lives with the emotional burden of these traumatic memories. Australia, including the city of Sydney, holds a special place in the hearts of Fijian citizens. It is a popular tourist destination for Fijian citizens and home to many of our former Fijian citizens. There are many of us either studying or working in Sydney. While this may have occurred in a country thousands of miles away from home, there is a sad reality, which we cannot ignore. It only takes one person to engage in actions which display no respect for other members of our community and taking the lives of innocent people in a ruthless manner. More importantly, this can occur in any country, at any time, including our beloved country. With all due respect, are our authorities prepared to respond to unfortunate incidents in a timely manner, if they occur? For now, let us continue to focus on love, care and respect for our neighbours including those of different cultures. May our authorities continue to enhance their capacities in responding to rapidly changing situations. Aside from that, let’s enjoy the Christmas holidays and spend quality time with our loved ones in the remaining days of 2025. FLOYD ROBINSON Micronesia
