Constitution on the boil
The constitutional issue is now front and foremost with concerned citizens. The issue risks becoming too complicated with people going off in all directions. I think Government should name the essential issues that should be addressed. Richard Naidu has recently explained most of these. Local representative electorates, party control of MPs with limitations on speech and voting. Amendment procedures, Immunity clauses. Other matters should be put in the mixing bowl of a constitutional national forum and agreed on nationally but the basic flaws of the existing “constitution” should be placed on the record. Come on PM. Terry Hulme, Russell St, Eastwood, NSW, Australia
Peanuts from Australia
Thank you to Kirti Patel and Ronnie Chang who appreciate all the charity from Australia and Australians. Just imagine what and where Fiji would be without all the direct Australian support. Even the Kiwis are living off us and they have been for many decades. In the grand scheme of things, what Australia is contributing to Fiji is peanuts, and we will continue to do that until Fiji and Fijians can stand on their own two feet. That is highly unlikely to happen any time soon. Jan Nissar, Sydney, Australia
Water woes
WAF needs expert expatriates and the political thinking that water comes before anything else. Rather we are allowing expatriates in fields like finance and politicians are wasting time over the constitution. The current constitution or any past constitution didn’t hinder service delivery. Focus on politics rather than the people hinders service delivery. I urge The Fiji Times to cover water cuts on their front page every day rather than the FICAC drama and the merry-go-round of the constitution. Kiran Khatri, Samabula, Suva
This government
OUR Deputy Prime Minister Prof Biman Prasad, often likes to use this line in the august House when referring to an achievement or undertaking done by the Coalition Government and it goes like this “It is this government, it is this government”. Well, guess what three wheeler Coalition Government, the surprising numbers of new political parties registered I believe steam from the “it is this government” way of leadership. If only the Government wouldn’t have served themselves by raising their income at first but prioritise to diligently serve the people and improve/fix basic amenities, I believe there wouldn’t be so many political parties registered (FT 14/3). Anyway, expect the unexpected in next year’s national general election because there will be more divisions among voters. AREKI DAWAI, Suva
No jab, no job policy
The prime minister’s statement (FT 17/3) that those 320 civil servants who lost their jobs for not following the Ministry of Health’s directives will, after all, have the last laugh. They can have their jobs if they apply. It’s a forgone conclusion that most, if alive, will apply and will be reinstated. I foresee that the next policy will be to reinstate them and pay them the lost wages and benefits. The majority of us, who had as many as four jabs to protect ourselves and others from the spread of the dreaded disease, are now portrayed as idiots having complied with the directives. Many people also sacrificed their lives due to suspected side effects of the COVID vaccine. The prime minister and his government never fail to amuse me with their zig zag policies. What does this government expect people to do should there be another similar outbreak or pandemic? And where is the money coming from to employ them, through reduction of another allocation? Ajai Kumar, Nadi
Government and constitution
The PM told the media they will work under the 2013 Constitution, if all avenues to amend are exhausted. What is so “classic” about the constitution, that our PM seems to love massaging its legality? Why is it that only parts are to be amended? I think that since the entire document’s process towards its enactment to law was not legally adhered to, then nothing within is also legal. According to what the A-G has revealed, we the people, are not to overthrow the constitution, but those who pervert the constitution. The constitution is for the governed, not the governors. The power under the constitution will always be in the people, for it should be made for the people, not otherwise. Every human act, however small it may appear, can trigger repercussions for future generations. Samu Silatolu, Nakasi
