Politicians need to sacrifice
A front-page parliamentary salary breakdown was shown in one of the dailies recently (FS 10/04), which makes the arithmetic of public savings impossible to ignore. From the figures provided, we can initiate two measures which would return between $F4.7million and $F5.4million annually to Fijian taxpayers — immediately. Firstly, abolish the 12 Assistant Minister positions created for political convenience, not governance necessity. Each position costs $F120,000 in salary plus a conservative $F150,000 in operational overhead — vehicle, driver, PA, office and travel allowances. Returning all 12 to the ordinary MP salary of F$95,000 saves $F2.1 million per year.
Secondly, claw back 70 per cent of the 130 per cent pay increase. Parliament voted itself a 130 pe cent salary increase in May 2024. Under this proposal, members keep 60 per cent of that increase and surrender the remaining 70 percent. Ordinary MPs would move from $F50,000 to $F57,000 — a fair and defensible 14 per cent improvement over the decade-old pre-increase rate, not a windfall. Applied uniformly across the President, Prime Minister, Speaker, 17 Ministers, Opposition Leader and 23 ordinary MPs, this saves a further $F2.6 million annually. The combined saving is approximately $F5 million every year. If Parliament chose the more courageous path and surrendered the entire 130 per cent increase, returning to pre-2024 rates, Fiji would save $F2.3million more on top of that. No Fijian parliament has ever made such a gesture. Given that more than 30 per cent of Fijians live below the poverty line, it would be the most consequential — and most remembered act of public service this generation of politicians could perform. After all, the sacrifice should always start with our role model parliamentarians, as was suggested by some of them recently. The numbers are public. The arithmetic is plain. The decision is Parliament’s. Dr SUSHIL K SHARMA Lautoka
Death drain
It is deeply distressing to learn of the death of a teenage student who was swept away in a flooded drain, now grimly referred to as the “death drain.” Equally concerning are the images and videos circulating of other children diving and swimming in floodwaters, despite repeated warnings issued by the Fiji Police Force and relevant authorities. This situation reflects a serious lapse in parental responsibility. Children should not be left unsupervised during such dangerous conditions. If such tragedies are to be avoided, responsibility must begin at home. Children learn what they live with. DINESH KUMAR Ba
Use of tweets
The use of tweets in formal exchanges at the highest level of State — at least by a certain head of state — just goes against the grain in the world of diplomacy and international relations, that has carried us through all these years. Gone are the etiquette and use of specific language and phrases, that guide international relations, at the bilateral and multilateral levels. Gone are the diplomatic “modus operandi,” in formal exchanges and negotiations. What we have now is a method that basically rides roughshod over the fine art of diplomacy and brings a street talk-like approach, that can be both disrespectful and rude. I must be old school, but this new approach just does not cut it for me! I hope that his advisers will quickly steer him back to the formal and more diplomatic way of doing things. I am sure it will still get the job done in a more civilised and acceptable manner, without all the negativity! EDWARD BLAKELOCK Pacific Harbour
Surviving the crisis
We often hear economists talking about inflation and “fiscal tightening,” but if they really want to see how the fuel crisis is hitting home, they need to sit down for a “mix.” I noticed recently that the “grog-o-nomics” of my neighbourhood have shifted. Usually, the conversation around the tanoa is about rugby or politics. Now, it’s a high-level strategy meeting on how to survive the week. First, the “mix” has become noticeably thinner. We’ve gone from “waka” to what looks like “washing-out” by the second round because nobody can afford a new bag. Second, the “plastic” (the snack) has disappeared! We used to have Bongo and biscuits; now we just have “shared stories” and a glass of water because the grocery bill has eaten the snack budget. Even the “talanoa” has slowed down to save energy. We are now timing our sessions to match the bus schedule perfectly, because missing the last bus means taxi fare that costs more than a kilo of the finest Savusavu gold. If the Government wants to boost national morale, forget the subsidies — just find a way to keep the price of a “half-bag” down. Fijians can survive a fuel hike, but a grog hike? That’s where we draw the line! REGINALD RAJU Tamavua, Suva
Iran ceasefire
Pakistani PM, Shahbaz Sharif re-tweeted President Trump’s tweet without removing the word, ‘Draft’ (draft of ceasefire conditions). Pakistan, being a stooge of America, will always follow its orders. In this case, Trump desperately needed a ceasefire. Iran too is tired of the war. Pakistan, as the messenger, played a double game. It did not inform the US that the Iranians were demanding that Israel-Lebanon be included in the ceasefire. On the contrary, Pakistan did not inform the Iranians that Israel-Lebanon were excluded from the ceasefire as demanded by the Americans. It now appears the Americans will throw Pakistan under the bus. But Pakistan is used to the American’s game of ‘use and throw’. The Pakistanis have a knack for doing such mischievous acts and surviving it. RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Armoury breach
It is deeply concerning to hear about the attempted break-in at the RFMF armouries in Lautoka and Suva. Incidents like these raise serious questions about security, especially given the previous attempts to access the military barracks in Nabua not too long ago. Perhaps it’s time for the RFMF to reassess its priorities. While cultural processes like the matanigasau have their place, focusing on seeking forgiveness from those linked to past coups rather than the victims can appear misplaced. Strengthening the security of critical assets, particularly armouries, should be a top priority. After all, safeguarding weapons and military facilities is not just an internal matter, it’s a national security responsibility. Keep your “guns” safe! NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
‘Blessed’ Fijians
Am I imaging it or does our prolific widely-travelled sarcastic letter writer and critique Jan Nissar, fall into the camp that advocates that the indigenous people of our country are called “Fijians”? This seems very clear from his latest published letter penned from Istanbul, Turkiye entitled: ‘In Villages’ (FT 11/04), where he talks about the looming fuel crisis and how it can be avoided “….because Fijians can always go back to the village and live off their land and the sea …”. Thank you Jan for your insightful analysis of the solution to all our “…outside problems manufactured by the vulagi…”. If only you had thought about it earlier, we would have been truly blessed. DANIEL FATIAKI Suva
Up, up and away
The Artemis II adventure is going well, reminding the baby boomers of the Apollo program and inspiring the youths of today to look up, especially to look up from their phones. It is pleasing to see NASA used non-exploding rockets, unlike those one of the other space agencies seems to frequently use. The flight has also shown that science doesn’t yet have all the answers, including toilet maintenance, a bit of a nuisance when you can’t just go outside for a quick pee. The microphone worked well until the US members didn’t want to use it to talk with President Trump. Let’s hope they are allowed back in the country. We can hope this will continue, people land on the moon again, head for Mars and what ever happens after that. DENNIS FITZGERALD Melbourne, Australia
May wisdom prevail
There’s a truth found in scripture that rises above every cultural, tribal or national distinction. It’s a truth too powerful to ignore, yet too often overlooked. In Genesis 1:26, we’re reminded that all humanity is created in the image of God. Not some. Not a select few. All. This foundational truth establishes a shared identity that precedes every label we cling to — race, status, heritage or nationality. The apostle Paul reinforces this in Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile…for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This isn’t poetic language. It’s a radical call to unity. One people. One human family under God. And yet, history, and indeed our present reality, reveals how easily we’re quick to abandon biblical truth when it becomes inconvenient. Division is often easier than unity. Power is often pursued at the expense of principle. For those who profess allegiance to the King of Kings, there can be no selective obedience. The path of righteousness is not shaped by convenience or cultural bias. It’s defined by truth, justice, humility and courage. It calls us away from the impulses of the flesh and the pressures of the world and toward a higher standard grounded in divine wisdom. As decisions of national importance are considered, particularly by bodies such as the Great Council of Chiefs, one would hope they’re not merely politically expedient, but spiritually aligned. Leadership, at its highest level, isn’t about preserving privilege, but about pursuing what’s right in the sight of God. In the end, no decision escapes accountability — not in the court of public opinion, but before the Almighty Himself. May wisdom prevail over self-interest. May unity triumph over division. And may every decision reflect not just the will of man, but the Spirit of God’s eternal truth. COLIN DEOKI Melbourne, Australia
