Road to democracy VIJAY NAIDU SUVA RICHARD Naidu’s article ‘That Judgement … and it’s not over yet’ in Saturday’s (7/02) FT is about the judge’s decision regarding the abrupt dismissal of Barbara Malimali as director of FICAC. It is a very readable piece. Among other things, what caught my eye with ramifications beyond the Malimali case was his point on the 2013 Constitutional provision, s. 173 which protects all the decrees made by the Bainimarama and Khaiyum regime post-2006 military coup. This provision has had seriously negative implications for the use of vernacular languages, the rule of law, human rights adherence, the concentration of state power, and our return to democracy. Within the first 100 days in office following its election, the Coalition Government expunged the repressive Media Decree (presumably, ignoring s.173) widely applauded by FT readers, journalists and the public. We know that over 16 years until December, 2022 the separation of powers between the three arms of government as well as checks and balances in the use of executive authority were severely distorted. Two men ruled the roost! The imposed ban on the use of iTaukei and Hindi languages in parliament continues untouched. This is clearly not acceptable. Several other decrees, and 2013 Constitution provisions such as extending the definition of ‘public office’ holders to trade union and employers association office holders undermine their basic rights of citizenship. The ‘open merit recruitment’ system remains controversial, particularly with respect to the appointment of inexperienced teachers as principals. The right to protest is a human right that is currently severely constrained. I believe Decree 52 was promulgated by the Bainimarama and Khaiyum regime in late 2011 to specifically deny senior citizen retirees from seeking legal redress against the arbitrary misappropriation of their monthly pensions. This decree protects FNPF and denies pension justice for affected pensioners. I hope that the Coalition Government will review the decrees and constitutional provisions that impede the rule of law, human rights, and the road to democracy.
No more MPAiSA MANOA S KALECA VISHNU DEO ROAD, NAKASI I DON’T know if anyone is noticing, but the number of small convenient shops around the country are now no longer accepting MPAiSA payments. For us here in Nakasi, it has become a nuisance, and an inconvenience as we have to walk to other far away shops which still accept MPAiSA to buy groceries.
Corporal punishment DAN URAI LAUTOKA FIRST it was at the Suva bus stand now Lautoka is having its turn. Student brawls after school. Something is seriously wrong. Yet teachers are not united on reintroducing corporal punishment.
Retirement funds COLIN DEOKI AUSTRALIA CAN a Provident Fund Repay $582million without risking its future? Yes, it can, if done wisely. Questions are often raised when a large retirement fund faces a significant legacy obligation such as a reported $582million owed to older pensioners and whether repaying it could endanger current members’ savings. The reassuring truth is that a wellmanaged fund can meet such obligations without putting its long-term stability at risk, provided the repayment is structured appropriately and responsibly. For a fund such as the Fiji National Provident Fund, the safest approach is not a lump-sum payout, but a phased repayment plan spread over several years. By aligning repayments with annual investment surplus rather than dipping into core member balances the fund can steadily reduce the obligation while preserving capital strength. Large retirement funds typically set a required annual return needed to credit member interest. When actual returns exceed that target, the surplus portion can be directed toward special liabilities. In strong investment years, this creates a buffer that allows progress on repayments without weakening the fund’s foundation. Additional safeguards may include creating a ring-fenced reserve pool dedicated to legacy payments, rebalancing non-core assets and, where appropriate, partnering with government support or guarantees tied to historical policy settings. The principle is simple but powerful: protect the principal, use the surplus, and spread the timeline. With disciplined governance, transparent reporting and prudent financial planning, even large obligations can be met without sacrificing the security of current and future retirees. Sound structure, not speed, is what keeps a provident fund strong.
Who is hallucinating? RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA I HAVE recently returned from a holiday in India visiting iconic historical sites and meeting with people in many places in India. That is not something one does when he has an “intense dislike for India and its people”. So it is false and unbecoming of a schoolteacher like Rakesh Chand Sharma (FT 14/2) to make such an hallucinatory claim about me.
Tigers claim CVC series! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU REWA proved their status as Fiji’s most consistent team after winning the Pillay Garments Champion versus Champion series at Subrail Park. Kudos to the team management and coach Priyant Mannu, who won back-to-back CVC titles, for this feat. Despite losing a host of big names to the Bula FC and other clubs playing in the OFC Pro-League, Rewa rose to the occasion, and the young guns proved their worth. Nothing to be taken away from Labasa. It is very simple. If you can’t score, don’t expect a win. The Babasiga Lions missed numerous sitters at Ratu Cakobau Park and then in front of their home fans. Had they taken advantage of those goal scoring advantages, they would have been able to re-claim the CVC title that they lost to Rewa last year. I thank the team management and coach Master Alvin Chand as they re-build a lethal team that came so close to winning the league last year. To the Lions, let’s re-build and reset focus on the league. To the great Raymond Stoddart, thank you once again champ for the entertaining commentary. There will never be another ‘Ee mata tu uh mata’, Ray!
Vehicle imports DAN URAI LAUTOKA ENCOURAGING that Government is exploring restrictions on vehicle imports as a long-term strategy to manage traffic congestion. Our traffic situation was predicted many moons ago. Finally, some have woken up. Let’s hope the exploring will not take many, many more moons.
Flour in kava RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI BROTHER Dinesh, the flour in kava business has been going for a long time. It is for this reason that I select the best waka in the market, dry them in the sun and pound a little quantity every day. It is refreshing after few hours of gardening.
No more investigations JAN NISSAR SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA THERE are calls for an independent investigation into the affairs of the Fiji Sports Council, the Sports Ministry, FICAC and the PM’s Office. After the CoI saga, I am not a very big fan of investigations and inquiries, because I believe nothing will happen. With so many “prominent lawyers” and world class legal minds all concentrated in Fiji, these investigations will end up going nowhere. So, I suggest those calling for investigations into these things to save your time, energy and the money of taxpayers. Just vote with some sense at the next election and don’t be stupid as you all have been for the last 40 years.
FICAC silent over letter RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA WE read in The Fiji Times report ‘FICAC stays silent on questions over letter’(FT 14/2) that FICAC “has remained silent on The Fiji Times questions sent to it about its January 13 letter clearing the Fiji Sports Council CEO, Gilbert Vakalalabure, of complaints of abuse of office”. By fielding in “detailed questions to FICAC asking it to clarify several aspects of the decision” (see the FT report for elaboration) The Fiji Times has maintained its public watchdog role to ensure transparency, accountability and good governance practice from an independent institution of State. I am reminded here of what Justice DY Chandrachud says in his book Why The Constitution Matters (bought at Mumbai Airport just over a month ago): “The media’s ability to ‘speak truth to power’ is a vital expression of constitutional conscience”. The Fiji Times has demonstrated that ability and all rightthinking people of Fiji applaud The Fiji Times for it.
New detour WISE MUAVONO BALAWA, LAUTOKA FORTY eight hours later and the newly constructed detour at Semo Village was still not completed. Ladies and gentlemen, this indicates the incompetence and calibre of the concerned minister and the government. Sad eh!
