EFL tariff rejection
I write this open letter to fully support the Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu, on his firm stand to reject the EFL tariff. He has hit the nail on the head and the consumers are 100 per cent with him. The country is going through gruelling times when the prices of basic items are skyrocketing. Unemployment, crime and drug peddling are all-time high. How can EFL think of increasing the tariff? They have clearly lost touch with reality. Poverty level is nerve-racking. People face crisis after crisis and yet the fat cats are going ahead to punish the downtrodden and vulnerable people. Go to the slums and see the pain on the faces of people living there. EFL, this may be your way of celebrating New Year, the nation is shocked beyond belief. Listen to Inia Seruiratu or face the street protests! Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
Old tradition
The end of the year signals the start of an age-old tradition; setting a New Year’s resolution that will likely prove unattainable. Many will be welcoming the new year with familiar resolutions such as living healthier, saving more and in general improving one’s life. As we all vow to do a whole host of things most of us will not follow through. Some will fail to attain their New Year’s resolution while others will be giving up before the end of January. You should start with an enthusiastic commitment, but that “can do” attitude is quickly followed by waning interest. Eventually you give up your goal and end up on a big fat guilt trip. Try looking at resolutions in a new light. Instead of thinking about what’s wrong with you, imagine what it would like to be exactly the way you want and have exactly what you want. But be careful because some New Year’s resolution tend to fizzle out faster than an old bottle of champagne. My better half, Aralai, has decided to start power walking come the new year. Noqu marama tau, a few laps around the bed won’t count. Dou bula! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
True leadership
Messages from various political parties and their leaders on Christmas focused on loving, sharing amidst the rising cost of living, peace, safety, redemption, and a renewed hope heading into 2026. Now that the much-awaited Christmas and Boxing Day are over, attention turns towards welcoming the new year with much vigour and enthusiasm. The focus should be a united and peaceful Fiji as alluded to by the head of the Catholic Church in Fiji Archbishop Peter Loy Chong who shared his sentiments on the gentleman’s handshake by current PM Sitiveni Rabuka and the former PM Voreqe Bainimarama who have also served as Fiji’s military commander. I agree with Archbishop Chong (FT 25/12) that such acts should remind every leader that they too were the “beloved of God”. He added that humility and brokenness were characters of a true leader. I quote Archbishop Chong (FT 25/12), “Our leaders need to humble themselves, need to embrace their vulnerability, embrace their brokenness then they can experience the love of God. Good leaders who are guided by God must crush their egos, embrace their vulnerability, believe in God’s unconditional love. They can then love the people they serve.” Thank you Archbishop Chong, for this timely reminder as we head into the new year. To my fellow Fijians, life is unpredictable. It has its fair shares of joys and sorrows. Let’s celebrate the joys and embrace the sorrows by spending valuable time with our loved ones and taking good care of them. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Know the difference
Can someone from the Fiji police or LTA define what’s illegal parking or what is the component of illegal parking? Well, some of our enforcement officers are confused on the difference between illegal parking and incorrect parking. They should know the difference before issuing tickets I suppose. Otherwise they will be issuing tickets with defective charges to innocent citizens. More refresher courses are needed so as to familiarise them with the Act they want to enforce. Illegal and incorrect are poles apart mind you! Pita Soroaqali Tavua
Copyright breach
When we were young in the ’80s, pictures of Paula Abdul, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Susanna Hoffs, Michael Jackson, Milli Vanilli, Hulk Hogan, Arnold Schwarzenegger etc will be precisely paper cut out from magazines and posted on the wall. Visiting friends and visitors would recognise and compliment this superstar. Today, I wonder if I’ll be charged for copyright breaches if I post a cover picture of a local superstar beside our bottle of deep skin improvement oil in our bathroom? AREKI DAWAI Suva
Car accident
A serious car accident happened in the North. The car in front was bumped by a car from the back. But the police charged the driver of the back car because he bumped the driver of the front car from the back before the accident! Happy new year readers! Luke Kulanikoro Savusavu
Power of prayer
I was watching a very prominent senior pastor on TV who seemed to put on a performance. In his sermon, he said he was returning from Brisbane the day before when he saw reports of a tropical depression forming over Vanuatu and heading towards Fiji. He prayed and the tropical depression dissipated through the power of his prayer. There was cheering from the young crowd. The tropical depression did not get to develop into a tropical cyclone. We all must thank him for saving Fiji from this potential tropical cyclone. I suggest he should now make the HIV and drugs problems dissipate in the youth of Fiji through the power of his prayers. He can then tackle the problem of homelessness and poverty and the budget deficit.
Like I have always said, the people of Fiji are truly blessed. Jan Nissar Lautoka
Milestone, pari and heroes
Fifer hits a century
I congratulate Errol Fifer, one of the founding fathers of Fiji’s backpacking industry, for hitting a century, celebrating his 100th birthday. Reaching 100 has become a dream for many, but Fifer has achieved this feat. One of Australia’s top amateur golfers in the 1940s and ’50s, Fifer arrived in Fiji in 1970 and rose to stardom getting involved in the tourism industry and making tremendous contributions to Fiji’s economy. He achieved a lot in the backpacking sector and was rendered with awards for these contributions. Known as a tourism industry pioneer, Fifer is a family man. He is known for his humour as well. He loves golf and is humble and has a pleasant personality. Wishing Fifer longevity and a happy and healthy life. He has set the benchmark to reach excellence and success. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Pari questions
Karavaki Tuinasau’s pirate or pari business is covered by your paper (Pg 53, Motoring) in such a way that one would be led to think that illegal taxi business is alright. So, to the LTA, is pari business somehow acceptable? Seems like all that noise about pari some months ago has died down, and in fact the pari business is thriving now better than ever before. Everyone knows where to find pari taxis. Where the licensed taxis refuse to go for safety reasons or road condition reasons, the illegal taxis go. The article only promotes pari business and does not suggest the illegality of the business. Donald Singh Suva
Unsung heroes
I would like to commend few unsung heroes in our community who selflessly go out of their own way to help underprivileged and the needy in our societies. They make proper use of social media to reach out to those in need without benefitting or gaining anything in return. They sacrifice their time, energy and what not just to assist those in need. To Mr Bis Moce, Lesi Vanuavou and the Tabuasei family, I bet everyone will agree with me that you are our unsung heroes of 2025. You have earned our respect and your selfless act deserves a corner in this column. And to the many unknown donors, without your support these three gentlemen won’t achieve their cause. A very big thank you to everyone who always support them and may God bless you all. Pita Soroaqali Tavua
