Starting from home FLOYD ROBINSON MICRONESIA WITH our children across the country recently heading back to school, there are many expectations at the household level in terms of their performances academically or in extracurricular activities. Whatever ones views, there is a lot of expectations on teachers but the reality is that their efforts are limited and they can only do so much within their capacities. Therefore, one hopes that parents and guardians take the effort to acquaint themselves with their children’s teachers. More importantly, parents need to find out how their children are performing and behaving at school. A combined effort by teachers and parents towards children’s ambitions is a plus but it does make a huge difference when there is good support starting from home.
Singapore 7s JAN NISSAR SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA CONGRATULATIONS to Fiji on winning the Singapore Mickey Mouse SVNS tournament. I guess the referee was not at fault this time. I think the referee is only at fault when Fiji loses — isn’t that how it works? In any case, in Australia no one knew there was a Mickey Mouse tournament in Singapore. To confirm, just ask your family and friends and the PALM workers who live in Australia. I think it is because the game is a third-rate game, which lasts 14 minutes, is full of retired, rejected, discards and third-rate players and is only good for a kaila by Mickey Mouse fans in third world countries. It’s like UB40 when you think about it.
Trump’s deal RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI THE only nuclear deal Trump can have with Iran is for Iran to open up its nuclear facilities to IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) for inspections (FT 02/02). In return, the USA should allow Iran to sell its oil freely in the world market. Also, Trump should remove all sanctions imposed on Iran for the last 40 years. Middle Eastern countries are extremely alarmed at the prospect of a wider war which would be devastating for the entire region. We will be affected by the rise in oil prices.
FICAC drama DINESH KUMAR BA THE High Court, presided over by Justice Dane Tuigeregere, has ruled that neither the President nor the Prime Minister holds the constitutional authority to remove the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FI- CAC) Commissioner, Barbara Malimali. Her earlier removal, effected by the President on the directive of the Prime Minister around June 2025, was reportedly based on the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report, which contained serious allegations of witness interference, misconduct, and conflicts of interest relating to her appointment. The court has now clarified that the matter falls squarely within the mandate of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC). In a widely circulated interview, the honourable Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka stated that he is contemplating resignation should the JSC determine that his decision was erroneous and unconstitutional. The nation is therefore, left in a familiar state of anticipation; whether the Prime Minister will indeed honour his word, or whether Ms Malimali will ultimately be shown the exit. Either way, constitutional clarity has arrived; political certainty, however, remains fashionably absent.
Perth awaits Flying Fijians RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU A TOUGH pool awaits the Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s side in Perth. Fiji is grouped in Pool A with South Africa, Argentina and Spain. Last year in Perth at the Perth Rectangular Stadium, Fiji lost to Uruguay 24- 17, but the boys beat Kenya 21-14 and the All Blacks 7s 33-5. Fiji lost to South Africa 19-0 in the Cup quarter-final and then beat France 17-5 to finish fifth. After winning in Singapore and creating history, all eyes will be on our boys. Despite the historic win, head coach Osea Kolinisau must work on three things — the team’s discipline, winning restarts and missed tackles. I salute player of the final Viwa Naduvalo for his solo efforts that pulled us out from the fire, but a team effort is needed to do well in Perth and maintain our top ranking. Our boys were a hit with the fans in Singapore. They need to be humble and put another thunderous performance in Perth. Finally, accolades to our sports reporter Rohit Deo for the grand coverage! I can imagine the valuable lessons that he would have leaned- lessons that will help The Fiji Times sports team! Thank you team The Fiji Times for giving Rohit the opportunity to travel to Singapore and be part of the fabulous 7s tournament in the epic Lion City!
Catch-up rugby EDWARD BLAKELOCK ADMIRALS CIRCLE, PACIFIC HARBOUR Here we go again, Deja vu, a la Team Serevi, Was it planned or unplanned? Playing heart-stopping catch-up rugby. Cardiac arrests and fainting spells, worsened by some feeble tackling. Good line breakers down the middle, instead of just sideways drifting. A tough pool awaits in Perth, the games just get harder, but we now top the series table, let’s continue to remain the leader.
Resign now NISHANT SINGH LAUTOKA PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he will resign if the court of appeal in the Barbara Malimali case fails. How generous. “Rambo”, the undisputed architect and enduring symbol of Fiji’s coup culture should step aside immediately. I believe his return to power has delivered nothing but regression. I believe the economy is wobbling, unemployment and poverty are deepening, violent crime and drug abuse are spiralling, and ordinary Fijians are fleeing the country in record numbers. If this is what “experience” looks like, Fiji would be better off without it. After four miserable years in power, excuses have worn thin. Blame has been passed around generously, particularly to past governments. The Prime Minister’s public fragility has also become a national farce. He clutches a walking cane for sympathy points, yet it miraculously disappears the moment a golf club is placed in his hands. One wonders whether the cane is a medical necessity or merely a political prop. Either way, Fiji deserves a leader whose strength is not situational. Let’s be honest, the next election will not be kind. The corridors of Parliament are unlikely to see “Stee” strolling through them again, cane or no cane. You are done Rambo! I suggest you resign now or be booted out by the voters in the upcoming polls. Please keep track of your imminent departure on your fancy Rolex watch.
Selective moral outrage! COLIN DEOKI AUSTRALIA AN interesting question dropped into my mind the other day: “What’s selective moral outrage?” It was a moment to reflect and ponder on what appeared to be one of those D&M’s. We live in an age of instant outrage. With a swipe, a post, or a hashtag, indignation can circle the globe in minutes. Yet beneath this flood of moral commentary lies an uncomfortable truth: not all suffering is treated equally. Some injustices ignite fury and mobilisation, while others are met with silence, hesitation or even awkward deflection. Selective moral outrage occurs when we condemn certain wrongs passionately but excuse, minimise or ignore others of equal gravity, often depending on who the victims are, who the perpetrators are, or how safe it feels to speak out. It’s not simply about caring more for one issue than another. It’s about inconsistency driven by allegiance, ideology, identity or convenience rather than principle. We see it when abuses committed by “our side” are described as complex or contextual, while identical actions by an opposing group are labelled barbaric. We see it when empathy flows freely to some victims but is rationed to others. We see it when outrage is loud where it costs nothing and muted where it might cost friendships, reputation or social standing. This inconsistency matters because moral credibility is fragile. When outrage is conditional, justice becomes selective. Human rights become negotiable. Suffering becomes ranked. People notice and when they do, trust erodes. Cynicism grows. The moral voice that once claimed authority begins to sound hollow, blinded by bias and bigotry. Perhaps the most revealing test of moral integrity is a simple one: would we still speak out if the victims were different, or if the perpetrators were those we sympathise with? If our answer changes, then what we’re practising isn’t moral clarity but moral convenience and moral cowardice. None of this is to suggest that people must speak on every issue or carry the weight of every global injustice. Silence can be understandable. What’s harder to defend is selective silence paired with selective fury, especially when it’s wrapped in the language of universal justice. True moral consistency is quieter and less fashionable. It doesn’t follow trends or tribes. It holds the same line regardless of who benefits or who’s exposed. It recognises that suffering doesn’t become less real because it’s inconvenient, unfashionable or politically awkward. If we’re serious about justice, our compassion must not choose sides. Injustice is wrong no matter who commits it. Human dignity matters no matter who possesses it. Anything less reduces morality to performance, and the world deserves better than that. You and I deserve better than that!
Say no to drugs WISE MUAVONO BALAWA, LAUTOKA ANOTHER school year have begun. Parents and guardians, please keep reminding your children to say “No” to drugs.
Drug seizure TAHIR ALI HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND THE beautiful picture of Vatia Wharf as appeared in The Fiji Times (26/1) speaks well on promoting Fiji tourism but destructive with drug seizure picture. The frequent news on drug issues makes one think twice if Fiji is still a safe place for holidays. All Fijians are responsible to promote Fiji tourism for progress of our beloved country. Bula smile welcome only experienced in Fiji. Control drug first.
Rabuka resignation RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA WE read in The Fiji Times (3/2) ‘Rabuka weighs resignation’ and in the Fiji Sun ‘PM Rabuka considers resigning’ if his appeal of the High Court ruling — that the advice he gave to the President to remove FICAC commissioner Barbara Malimali was without proper lawful authority — fails. I believe Mr Rabuka would be doing the country a favour if he does resign. His leadership has been a disaster for the country. There are too many decisions he took that were disastrous for good governance. He has left good governance in bad shape despite his election promise to the people to bring change for the better. But Mr Rabuka was not alone responsible for the bad shape of things in the country. There were his enablers and manipulators. So will Mr Rabuka’s resignation bring qualitative change in political leadership? That’s a big question. Time will tell.
Tavualevu Village JAHEED BUKSH KOROLEVU, SIGATOKA THIS is the second time I see Tavualevu Village is flooded and it’s shown live on social media. Can the minster responsible really look into this matter?
Trump’s tariffs RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI PRESIDENT Trump has reduced US tariffs on India to 18% and announced that the Trade Agreement has been finalised between the two countries (BBC News). I believe, President Trump, feeling isolated, made a u-turn seeing India EU FTA and Arab League foreign ministers from Middle East countries meeting the Modi government officials in Delhi two days ago. Averting a Middle East war was on the agenda.
God is good JAN NISSAR SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA NO doubt those involved in the long running CoI saga are a gift from God to Fiji and Fijians. There is no question that the Prime Minister has been a gift from God to the people of Fiji. Just imagine where Fiji would have been today without him for the last 40 years. And what will happen to Fiji and Fijians if the Prime Minister were to resign or be called by God. I have always maintained, the people of Fiji are truly blessed.
