Does sorry pay?
Sunday afternoon seemed to be panning out well after a blockbuster lotu in the morning. The usual sifting through those discounts at Prouds, then a cup of coffee followed by some shopping at Extra. This red colour taxi had parked beside me, waiting for its passengers to return from shopping. Preparing to drive away, this young bloke comes and flings open the rear door of his waiting taxi, the door slamming into the side of my vehicle. I confronted him about it, and he said “sorry”. I told him his sorry meant nothing as he had caused damage already which couldn’t be fixed with a sorry. His partner in the front seat defended him, telling me that he had said sorry and that the matter was closed. Both started yelling at me. I drove away and still carry the damage since the sorry did not fix the damage. But they got away with it by apologising. I was advised by my wife not to engage in argument. I reluctantly took the advice but cannot fathom the sorry part. DONALD SINGH Suva
Lackadaisical attitude
Could someone please tell me why it is so difficult to meet our elected members of parliament? Our phone calls and emails elicit no response; not even an acknowledgement! Why in this digital age is communication with elected members so difficult? Or are they really busy organising the next salary raise, next overseas trip to collect per diem or whatever: I’m at a loss to figure out. In the democratic form of government we often hear such high sounding words: accountability, transparency, honesty, fairplay, justice, efficiency, duty of care, rule of law etc …my God it is mind boggling. Do they really mean it or is it simply to impress or the coat and tie has become so heavy in this Fiji heat that the mind has stopped functioning! As a former principal and secondary school administrator I have never seen such decadence in administration. We want to have faith in our elected members but it is too much to digest the lackadaisical attitude being displayed. Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
A blessing and a risk
The latest BBC Media Action research brings both encouraging and worrying news for Fiji. It is certainly positive that nine out of 10 people are now online daily, and that about three-quarters of our population actively use social media. This level of digital access places Fiji among the most connected nations in the Pacific. However, the same research highlights troubling trends that we can no longer ignore. are now shared within many households, with young people often relying on devices owned by parents or guardians. While this may seem practical, it raises concerns about unsupervised access, online safety, and children being exposed to inappropriate content or cyberbullying. Another challenge is the cost of connectivity. Around a third of Fijians spend more than $30 a month on mobile data, a significant amount for many families already under financial pressure. Dependence on mobile internet, rather than cheaper fixed broadband, further widens the digital gap between urban and rural communities. Smartphones have undoubtedly opened doors to global information, education, and communication. Students can research instantly, families stay connected across islands, and businesses reach new markets. But the disadvantages are equally real: reduced face-to-face interaction, rising screen addiction among youth, privacy risks, and the spread of misinformation on social media. We need a national conversation about responsible smartphone use. Parents should supervise children’s online habits, schools must teach digital literacy, and telecommunications companies should explore more affordable data options. At the same time, government agencies and NGOs can strengthen awareness campaigns on cyber-safety and balanced technology use. Smartphones connect Fiji to the world, but it is our responsibility to ensure this connection empowers our people rather than exposes them to harm. Indar Deo Bisun Sakoca Heights, Tamavua, Suva
Bank inaction
Vijay P Madhavan’s letter (FT 29/11) concerning his attempt to open accounts at the ‘busy’ ANZ Bank in Suva reflects my own experience. On July 2, I used the Westpac ATM at Kundan Singh on Princes Road to withdraw $500 from my ANZ Suva account. When the money was being dispensed, however, the notes got caught in the ‘gate’ of the machine and before I could extract them, the gate’s door slammed shut, leaving me with $300 but a payment slip stating that I had withdrawn $500. A couple of days later at the ANZ Bank, the attendant took my story (in writing), photocopied the payment slip and informed me that the missing $200 would be put back into my account.Five months, five visits, and three writings of my statement at the ANZ Bank later, the $200 credit remains elusive. While the front-line staff are helpful there appears to be a ‘manager blockage’. Hmmm, would the crediting be faster if the ‘lost’ money had been in the thousands instead of a mere $200? And will it come before Christmas, do you think? P. Kailola Suva
ANZ Bank new accounts
Thank you ANZ Bank and Lusia Qaqanilawa Vere | Branch Manager – Lami & Relieving Customer Experience Manager, for your prompt action. All sorted. Vijay P. Madhavan Borron Rd., Suva
Not all is lost
All the Mickey Mouse grog dopey fans must be commiserating around their grog bowls at the loss in Dubai. However, not all is lost. Fiji has the fastest rate of HIV infection in the world and I suspect the highest rate of diabetes as well. So there is something to celebrate as a proud world leader. Jan Nissar Khajuraho, India
Portable cameras
Whilst the portable cameras are introduced to detect and identify speeding cars and drivers. I hope another type of portable camera is introduced to identify potholes and notify drivers accordingly to avoid possible wear and tear to vehicles. What do you think? Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
Voreqe and Aiyaz
I believe the people of Fiji can only be thankful they lacked the wisdom to remain in power. Dan Urai Lautoka
Harassment contacts
All schools in Fiji should have them. Training can be provided. Like we have the prefects. Asish Vinay Prasad Park Rd, Raiwasa, Suva
Rabuka appearance
We read in The Fiji Times alongside Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s photo supplied by Fiji Government that “Questions have been asked about his appearance before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission” (FT 1/12). I wonder what the people who were jumping with joy after Mr Rabuka got installed in power with his coalition partners in NFP make of Mr Rabuka’s version of the truth regarding his 1987 coup. Have they asked any questions on his distorted narrative? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Wrong enemy!
Noleen Billing’s letter (FT 29/11) hits the nail on the head: the police have been fighting the wrong enemy for years. Uprooting cannabis in villages made for good PR but blindsided the trade in far more serious drugs. And having an army officer Commissioner of Police probably did not help. Smoking a joint may be a social habit, rather like drinking kava, but it is not necessarily addictive. Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia
Rightful rep?
Do you think the Pacific Community Cup winner should be the rightful representative from Oceania to the FIFA Club World Cup? Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Remittances and rugby
A lifeline or danger signs
Every month, over $80–100 million in remittances floods our shores — a lifeline for thousands of families, no doubt. Our nurses in Australia, soldiers in the Middle East, and caregivers in New Zealand and the USA sacrifice greatly, and we salute them. But let us ask the hard question no one wants to voice at the village and our August bodies talanoa sessions. Is this river of overseas money slowly drowning Fiji’s future? The truth is uncomfortable. Remittances now exceed 10 percent of GDP and rival tourism earnings. They drive up demand for imported goods, land and housing, pushing inflation higher than wages can chase. The World Bank and ADB have both noted that heavy remittance reliance in the Pacific fuels price pressures, raises the cost of living, and makes local production uncompetitive. We import more rice, corned beef and second-hand Japanese cars while our farms lie idle and our youth dream only of overseas contracts. This is not prosperity, it is dependency dressed in new roofs and SUVs. No real jobs of worth are created out of remittance dependency. We might as well give up our sovereignty and become vassal states of the big neighbours. Real, lasting wealth has never come from handouts or overseas earnings. It comes from a thriving private sector creating jobs here at home. Yet our private sector remains stunted crowded out by high public-sector wages, excessive regulation and a government that still believes it must do everything itself. Even China, the last major “communist” giant, learned this lesson the hard way. After decades of rigid state control, Deng Xiaoping unleashed private enterprise. Today, private firms generate over 60 percent of China’s GDP, 70 percent of innovation and 80 percent of urban employment. The Chinese Communist Party is still in power, but the economy runs on capitalist energy, more dynamic and more robust than many Western nations capitalist economies bogged down by bureaucracy. Communist believes in big government and big bureaucracy and that it does everything. Reconsolidation of state control which China and the fallen USSR has found out, does not work. Thus the rollback of state control of every area of the country economy in the last 40 years in China. Now China is regaining its pre-eminence standing in the world which it lost more than 200 years ago with the unleashing of its private sector. The Government should only ensure that the legal, health, public security and safety and the environmental wellbeing of citizens are maintained and promoted. Fiji must choose, continue the bloating government and begging for remittances, or unleash our entrepreneurs, cut red tape, lower taxes on businesses and let the private sector lead, with government as partner, not master. Our children deserve better than a future measured in Western Union queues. Let us build an economy that keeps our talent home and makes Fiji truly prosperous. Meli Matanatoto Nadi
Focus on Cape Town!
After battling heavyweights Argentina, South Africa and France in Dubai, Osea Kolinisau and the national 7s side must be ready for another tough pool outing as we face Dubai 7s champions the All Blacks 7s, Cape Town 7s champions South Africa and team Great Britain. The boys face three gigantic teams who are eyeing an upset win over Fiji. In Dubai, our poor discipline (two red cards), missed tackles and the inability to make critical decisions when the pressure mounted, stood out. Our greatest asset — the ability to off-load impressed many. We were our own enemies as mistakes made against the All Blacks 7s gave them a spot in the final. Some players are beyond their peak and head coach Kolinisau must ensure that selection is done on merit and not past reputation. It is important that the boys settle well in Cape Town. There will be no quarterfinals, and every match should be treated like a final. We have talent and skills, but if we can’t have seven players on the field then it doesn’t count. Let’s put a zero-tolerance for ill-discipline and reckless hits and focus on smart tackles, strong defensive patterns, solid combination and ruck protection and firepower in attack. We will regret it if we make the same mistakes that we made in Dubai. Toso Viti! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
