Iran, US ceasefire
News broke out yesterday (Wednesday) about a two-week ceasefire whereby both the USA and Iran will not attack each other. I’m a bit worried about Israel spoiling the agreement though. The Strait of Homuz opening for two weeks would mean our own fuel pains easing a bit in the near future, but unfortunately, we are left at the mercy of FCCC who invent new formulae for their fuel price decisions. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly brokered the ceasefire deal. Pakistan is one of the poorest countries in the world with a high dinau but their PM made a huge difference at global level. Wonder how many other poor country’s PMs would have that much leverage, to bring temporary relief to the world, or even at local levels. Donald Singh Nausori
Brush with death
I thank Dewan Chand – (FT 08/04) for his true-to-life sharing — his very own experience: “A brush with death.” Dewan survived two heart attacks on February 19. He lives today. He shares his account. As a betrayed senior FNPF pensioner, like him, I must sincerely thank him, on behalf of about 1400 survivors (out of 6000) for his courage to put pen to paper and share through open columns courtesy of The Fiji Times. Sadly, most cruelly, FNPF remains unforgiving and totally heartless, today, towards our group of betrayed survivors. A superior being is watching over all of us. He is the sole judge. We place our hope, faith and trust in Him. May His will be done. His will is our little miracle. (What you do to the least of my brothers; you do unto me.” – Matthew 25:40-45). To all in FNPF and Bai and Kai’s government: “Beware, the wrath of the Lord, our God.” (Thou shalt not steal). It is now time to repent; right yesterday’s wrongs – before you hear the Lord’s call. Karma is very real. We have suffered long enough. You may be next in line. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Seventeen years on
On Thursday, April 9, 2009, exactly 17 years to this date, the Fiji Court of Appeal made that judicious and profound decision in the case of Qarase v Bainimarama based on the leadership principles of integrity and justice. The Fiji Court of Appeal concluded by making several declarations, the last of which is this: “(2) Declares that in the events that have occurred it would be lawful for the President acting pursuant to section 109(2) of the Fiji (1997) Constitution, or as a matter of necessity, to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister to advise a dissolution of the Parliament and issuance of writs for the election of members of the House of Representatives. I must assert that I am still the Speaker of Parliament and pursuant to Section 88 (3) of the 1997 Constitution, I have the privilege to perform the responsibility of the President. It is in this regard that I convened a special sitting of Parliament in the Grand Pacific Hotel (at my own cost) on Sunday, December 7, 2025). In that sitting, the Parliament that was instituted on June 5, 2006 was dissolved. A caretaker Prime Minister will soon be appointed to initiate the election of members of the House of Representatives. Yes, with God as our witness, give ourselves this (1997) Constitution. Pita K. Nacuva Griffith Place,
Namadi Height, Suva
- Editor’s note: The Supreme Court of Fiji, in its decision last year, declared the 1997 Constitution no longer “valid and applicable”. Mr Nacuva, however, is not prevented from expressing his opinion otherwise.
Cyclone Vaianu!
Tropical Cyclone Vaianu brought strong winds and heavy rainfall and resulted in flooding. There were reports of roads and access ways being flooded and the continuity of adverse weather conditions and the risks posed by rising waters and string winds. I’m thankful to the Ministry of Education for the quick decision in closing schools due to adverse weather conditions as the safety of our children was at risk. Since our children were at home, I’m sure they were supervised and not left unattended, and parents ensured some form of learning took place at home. TC Vaianu has left behind a trail of damage. Houses in Lautoka were ripped off, trees were uprooted and infrastructure and farms were damaged. The Western Division suffered a lot, having felt the brunt of TC Vaianu. They already faced flashflooding last month and now the damage sustained due to TC Vaianu. Ordinary citizens look up to the Government for help. Be it FNPF assistance or Government grant, any form of help will be greatly appreciated. Those who have lost homes and belongings need rebuilding as soon as possible. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Think global, act local
Think globally, act locally. This is exactly what the local residents of the Vuda Waste Incinerator proposal are doing with their protest action to safeguard their pristine natural environment, their health and livelihood. Their local community spirit to stand up to the corporate agenda is commendable. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Schools close
The Ministry of Education’s announcement on closing of schools is for the safety of all. It’s sad to read in The Fiji Times about the “Death drain: Student swept away by strong current” (FT 8/4). I believe in times of disasters, there is no fixed rules but using common sense with patience pays. “One moment of patience may ward off great disasters. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.”- Chinese Proverb. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
2 week ceasefire
President Donald Trump has been giving ultimatums and date after date to Iran. Now a two week ceasefire. This reminds me of Hindi film hero, Sunny Deol, who gets frustrated and bursts out after an Indian court judge gives him ‘date after date’; ‘date after date’ in his court case. People are also getting frustrated with Trump! Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Tightening belts
Now that people are being encouraged to tighten their belts, I’d love to know how many of our parliamentarians are helping needy families? Please don’t all stand up at once and raise your hand. Colin Deoki Australia
TC Vaianu
Tropical Cyclone Vaianu is now making its way out of Fiji’s waters. However, it has ravaged many parts of the Western Division, destroying homes, town’s infrastructure, plantations, and vehicles.
Residents are urged to carry out the necessary clean-up efforts promptly, as the risk of disease may follow. Please remain safe and keep those affected in your prayers as we mourn the loss of life experienced over the weekend. RODNEY CLARENCE RAJ Naleba, Labasa
A name
What’s in a name? True identity. For example, it’s Govind Park with the 4R stadium and not the other way round. The park hosts the stadium. MANOJ LAL PATEL Drasa Avenue, Lautoka
Trash to power
Could the Government ask the Australian trash to electricity generator company to install these generators at the existing sugar mills and use the bagasse instead of Australian trash? They could also use waste timber from sawmills as fuel for these generators. Fuel price will keep going up and so will the electricity charges eventually. Sukha Singh Labasa
Bill and teaching standard
Referendum Bill
I have been following criticism of the National Referendum Bill presently before Parliament including a Facebook livestream by a former MP addressing the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights. I do not wish to add to the criticisms of the Bill other than to point out that the Electoral Law Reform Commission which I chaired with three other members namely, Professor Wadan Narsey, Seni Nabou, and Deidre Brookes delivered its report in late June, 2025. In it, we dealt briefly with the matter at hand within the context of the amending requisites under the 2013 Constitution by noting the complete absence of a Referendum Act as might be expected. I say ‘..as might be expected..’ advisedly, because the subjection of any amendment of the 2013 Constitution to a public referendum is a crucial second step in the mandated process. In light of the foregoing, I couldn’t ignore the self-evident question which none of the Standing Committee members saw fit to address to the former MP during his lengthy submission, which is: “why wasn’t there a Referendum Act passed in 2014 or thereafter, to complement and complete a basic requirement of the 2013 Constitution?” Was it, because the promoters of the 2013 Constitution never entertained the possibility of a Bill ever being passed to amend the Constitution while they remained in power? Or, is the absence of a Referendum Act part and parcel of the much touted “impossibility” of amending the 2013 Constitution? Or was it an element of the “democratic deficit” that the Supreme Court clearly identified and reduced in its recent opinion? Perhaps, the former MP may like to answer those questions as part of his criticism of the draft Referendum Bill before Parliament. Daniel Fatiaki Suva
My concern
I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding what I believe is the unprofessional teaching standards and conduct of a certain lecturer within the Mathematics Department at the University of the South Pacific (USP), Laucala Campus in Suva. As a student enrolled in the course MA111, I am so frightened about the casual arrangement of the course materials as sudden changes in tutorial questions often occur without prior announcement. Consecutively, I believe the lecturer does not follow precise instruction given on moodle (the online learning platform), for example face-to-face quiz schedules and when questioned if he should adjust to the course outline, he responds: “what is your business”. I would suggest this comment is inappropriate as I believe a lecturer has the responsibility to guide each student in university. Yue Fang Naitasiri
