Labasa schools shine in Ba
Being a proud Labasa fan, I congratulate Labasa College and Tabia Sanatan College for shining in Ba, claiming titles in the 2025 Extra Fiji Secondary Schools Football Championship at Govind Park. My former school, Labasa College, was crowned the U17 champions after a thrilling 5-4 win over Tilak High School in penalty kicks. Both teams met in pool play and they drew. Labasa College coach Roneel Ram, who was my senior at the Fiji College of Advanced Education and continues to be a good friend, prepared his side well. His game plan was solid — a clear strategy to counter their tough opponents from Lautoka who gave them a tough time on the field. Labasa College and Tilka High School were formidable sides, but Labasa College was blessed with lady luck. On the other hand, history was created as Tabia Sanatan College lifted the U19 title, defeating favourites Vunimono High School 1-0 in a pulsating final. Vunimono was without Rewa star Delon Shankar who was shown the marching orders against Suva Muslim College. That was a huge setback for Vunimono. Nonetheless, Apenisa Culuikabou was lifted and hailed as he proved the hero, scoring the decisive goal. Tears flowed openly as Tabia College celebrated the historic win. Congrats to both schools! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Poverty in Fiji
The Fiji Bureau of Statistics claimed 36 per cent of indigenous Fijians are living under poverty rate (FT 21/8/25). Is this figure correct? Or was it “massaged” accordingly? This is about 314,000 indigenous people, which is over 1/3 of the population, in my view. In fact, most of these populous are in the rural communities. What does such information tell us? Has it been constant, fallen or has it risen? Even our youths, mostly indigenous, who are not in education, employment and training, rate 26 per cent. That is over 200,000 youths. Has the “development benefits” trickled down to those that really are in need? Is the government’s claim on our economy genuine? Not all change is progress. Since independence, in my opinion, nearly all governments have “crumbled” to the pressure of foreign “policy”, in regards to the indigenous land and resource development. Instead of reinforcing the indigenous prerogative, they governed to compromise accordingly. I am certain that statistics have continuously revealed “failure” and “foreign enrichment” will always continue to profit the most. Samu Silatolu Nakasi, Nausori
Honouring the people’s will
I write in support of Nilesh Lal’s opinion piece “Fiji’s Parliament – Does it still reflect the will of the people?” (The Fiji Times, August 23, 2025). As a concerned citizen, I share Mr Lal’s apprehension that our Parliament may be diverging from the mandate given by voters in 2022 and in the previous two elections. Members of Parliament (MPs) bear a solemn responsibility to uphold the platform and principles on which they were elected. When MPs significantly deviate from the agenda they promised their voters, they risk betraying the public’s trust and undermining the integrity of our democracy. A fundamental democratic principle is that voter intent should always be reflected in the legislature’s composition and actions. If our representatives do not honour the commitments that earned them the votes, then Parliament indeed ceases to reflect the will of the people. Mr Lal rightly points out that any major change in allegiance or policy by elected MPs can subvert the electorate’s intent. For instance, if MPs elected under one party’s banner switch sides or support policies contrary to their party’s platform, it produces an outcome directly opposed to what voters endorsed. In the extreme, imagine MPs from an Opposition party using their seats to bolster a government whose ideology voters had rejected — such an outcome would be a “travesty for democracy” and a disenfranchisement of those voters. The votes cast for one platform would end up empowering its very opposite, which clearly violates the mandate given by the people. This kind of significant deviation weakens democratic integrity by rendering election results meaningless. Our MPs must remember that they owe their positions to the people’s support of specific policies and values; they are duty-bound to be the voice of those who voted them in. Any course of action that substantially departs from their electoral promises should prompt serious reflection — if not resignation — because it erodes public confidence in the Parliamentary system. I presume the most critical issue raised by Mr Lal is the process of amending the 2013 Constitution. I wholeheartedly agree that any amendments to the nation’s supreme law must be handled with the utmost care and explicit public consent. Rushing through constitutional changes, or doing so without a clear popular mandate or consultation, does not reflect the will of the people. Many citizens have placed their hope and sense of security in the 2013 Constitution. Any significant alteration to this document should therefore ensure the interests of all Fijians are considered and that the changes genuinely carry the people’s endorsement. To that end, I strongly propose that any amendment to the 2013 Constitution be put to a national referendum for approval by the citizens of Fiji. Such a dedicated referendum — separate from any general election would give the public a direct voice on constitutional changes and bolster the legitimacy of the outcome. By adhering to a national referendum on any constitutional amendment, we ensure that “the will of the people” remains paramount in shaping Fiji’s future laws. I would respectfully underscore the role of the judiciary in safeguarding these democratic principles consistent with international norms. As guardians of our Constitution, the courts can help ensure that political leaders do not sidestep the people’s mandate. I note that the Government has even sought the Supreme Court’s guidance on the proper process for amending the 2013 Constitution. In any such deliberations, I trust that our judiciary will affirm the core idea that sovereignty resides in the people. It would be fitting for the courts to consider, for example, that any fundamental constitutional changes shall involve the direct approval of the voters — reinforcing the notion that the Constitution’s legitimacy flows from the citizenry itself. If the judiciary highlights the necessity of genuine public participation (such as via a referendum) before altering the Constitution, it would send a strong message that no government can override the people’s will with temporary parliamentary arithmetic alone. This judicial stance would further strengthen our democratic integrity, ensuring that major changes reflect consent of the governed and not mere expedience of those in power. In conclusion, I applaud Nilesh Lal for his contribution on whether the current Parliament still mirrors the people’s will. Our MPs must remain faithful to the platforms that voters endorsed — any betrayal of that mandate weakens the bond between the people and their government. Additionally, when it comes to rewriting rules as fundamental as the Constitution, the people must have the final say. Let us strengthen our democracy by insisting that elected representatives honour their promises and what they had voted for. Dr Sunil Kumar Flagstaff, Suva
Taveuni electrification
Can the DO in Taveuni and minister concerned and our PM check on the issue with the electrification project in Taveuni and why it is taking over a year for electricity to be connected to many homes? Why is it that the people are always at the suffering end of very disorganised and fishy business? Noleen Billings Savusavu
Constitution changes
As one of the drafters of the 2013 Constitution, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum should have appeared before the Supreme Court and explained the reasons why such stringent measures for amendments were included in the 2013 Constitution. BHARAT MORRIS Gold Coast, Australia
Poverty rate
Refer to Saturday’s FT 23/08, where DPM and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad clarifies that Fiji’s poverty rate stands at 24.1 per cent and not 29.9 per cent as claimed by FCEF CEO Edward Bernard. Reading through the long explanation by the DPM, I felt that the learned FCEF CEO was trying to make “Indian puri”. He had perfectly mixed all the ingredients, but failed to heat the oil to its correct temperature. As a result, the piece of flattened round dough, when put into the oil, turned into a lump. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Fiji’s Parliament
Fiji’s Parliament: Does it still reflect the will of the people? (A critical analysis by Nilesh Lal, executive director, Dialogue Fiji in FT 23/8). Mr Lal contents it does not. This is a good question for a public survey. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Credibility shortage
Recently, Ghislaine Maxwell has supported Trump say that he was “never inappropriate with anybody”, and that the Prince Andrew photo was fake. Case solved, all OK, except perhaps that the defence has come from a convicted sex offender including as a child sex trafficker. Given her history, it is probably best to completely ignore her and her vain attempt to get a pardon from the President. Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia
Rugby and books
RKS buries 7-year-old ghost
Ratu Kadavulevu buried a seven-year-old ghost of not winning the prestigious Vodafone Super Deans U18 Trophy after thrashing Nasinu Secondary School 53-15 to reclaim the title in an emphatic and thrilling fashion. RKS put up a dominant performance. I was impressed with RKS’s work rate, discipline and team bonding as they shrugged aside the fiery challenge from Nasinu in the opening minutes, taking a 5-0 lead. Both teams thrilled and brought excitement, intensity and pace to the match, and the dominance of RKS brought fans to their feet. The warriors from Delainakaikai put up a swarming defence, one that took Nasinu by shock and they struggled to find their rhythm and way to the try-line. RKS dominated the set-piece and found their mojo resulting in a packed HFC Bank Stadium erupting with cheers. The electric atmosphere throughout the game was a delight for the spectators. As pressure mounted, Nasinu faltered and allowed RKS to take control and become relentless, piling on points. RKS was clinical. They created history, recording the biggest margin in the final of the Deans competition. RKS confidently executed their game plan, and emotions ran high as the dust settled, and the curtains were drawn. The boys from Lodoni got into a huddle to celebrate their long-awaited victory, finally lifting the coveted Vodafone Super Deans Trophy after seven years of heartache. While RKS celebrated, there was agony and pain in the Nasinu camp as they went another year without the trophy. Watching the match live, I give credit to RKS. Their dream team reigned. The dream team went unbeaten in the nationals but lost the Eastern Zone final to arch rivals Queen Victoria School 25-22. That loss made them stronger and hungrier to win a title that had evaded them for seven years and reclaim glory since that 20-0 win over Cuvu College in 2018. Go, go RKS! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Read about freedom before it is extinct
Like many outsiders, I am fascinated by US politics but don’t fully understand it, so I decided to read a few books, specifically “Fear: Trump in the White House” by Bob Woodward and “The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir” by John Bolton. I expected a range of opinions but found similar outlooks. Both books described the workings of the Trump Presidency although not in a flattering way. So far there hasn’t been a successful attempt to sue either author, although Trump has tried. Given that the President doesn’t seem to appreciate any criticism, the raid on John Bolton’s house and office by the Trump Department of Justice could be seen as an act of retaliation for his book although so far the situation is unclear. If you don’t want to be criticised for your work performance, then do the job properly, fairly and without bias or favour. Both books are excellent reads. Dennis Fitzgerald Melbourne, Australia