Boxing inquiry
At the Haider (Nathan Singh) boxing inquiry, could the referee and Haider’s seconds be asked if they at anytime of the fight had advised Haider to stop fighting as he was taking a lot of punishment.
I would also like to know if boxing referees and seconds have to undergo some kind of training in Fiji.
SUKHA SINGH, Labasa.
Classroom resources
As an educator, I was heartbroken to find that valuable resources from my classroom were recently stolen.
These materials, purchased through personal funds and my own students’ support are essential for creating a dynamic learning environment for my students.
The theft not only affects me but also the children who rely on these tools to learn and grow. Classrooms should be safe spaces where education thrives, not targets by theft.
I urge the community to support teachers and educators by promoting security in schools and valuing the resources dedicated to our children’s future.
Together, we can ensure a safe and enriching environment for every student.
EMELE TABUCALA, Lagio Rd, Davuilevu Housing
Making the law
I believe that tourists who come to Fiji should get permission from the Minister for Police and the Assistant Commissioner of Police to have sex while in Fiji as part of their visa stamping when they arrive at Nadi Airport.
That way there should be no issues in consenting foreign adults having sex while in Fiji.
It is ridiculous that ministers and others make the law as they go depending on who it suits at the time. It is a sad characteristic of this government.
JAN NISSAR, Sydney, Australia
Hotel room prices
Talking to some friends about the price of hotel rooms in Fiji, the common denominator we see is that prices are sky high and ever-increasing.
I sincerely hope that we don’t price ourselves out of the global market.
Even “Love Our Locals” prices are crazy high and makes one think, “Maybe these are overseas locals”.
CONAN HATCH, Nadi Airport.
Rehab centres
The Fiji Times editorial comment on the urgent need for rehabilitation centres FT 17/11.
This will also address the rising drug crisis. We all should support this program financially with businesses donations. I think there is a lot of work to be done on youth as they are tempted to be involved in drug and substance abuse when idle. There is a need to prioritise finance for Save the Children Fund. They are needed to educate them more to improve to be job marketable.
This could be used through the centres.
They play a major role to reduce crime.
Prevention is better than cure. It pays dividends.
TAHIR ALI, Hamilton, New Zealand
Fiji v All Whites
All Whites will host Fiji in the second semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania Qualifiers match in Wellington in March, 2025. Is the result of the game a foregone conclusion? I may sound pessimistic, but the record speaks for itself. But who knows, David could tame Goliath this time.
SELWA NANDAN, Lautoka
Beer, poverty and priorities
While it has publicly been made known a certain percentage of the population lives in poverty, in a “hot spot” area and adjacent squatter settlement in Lami, close to where I reside there are regular drunken parties on an almost weekly basis through the day and night. Perhaps poverty is then a choice if people are not making the right decisions a priority.
Sanya Catherine Gain, Lami
British porn star deported!
I commend the actions of the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration honourable Pio Tikoduadua for acting fast and signing the deportation orders for British porn star Tia Emma Billinger aka as Bonnie Blue.
In collaboration, police and immigration officers removed the Nottingham adult star and sex worker, after honourable Tikoduadua declared her as a prohibited immigrant alongside colleague Annie Knight and a camera operator.
I read reports on social media that the duo was allegedly banned from entering Australia because of earlier claims that they planned to offer free sex to 18-year-old boys on “schoolies” break in Australia for free. Emma entered our shores on November 17, slipping in quietly.
Her deportation is a valuable lesson for those manning our borders and check points to be alert 24/7.
Hats off honourable Tikoduadua for being prompt.
This decision reflects the Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding Fiji’s border and maintaining the integrity of our immigration system.
Good job, honourable!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu
Heartbreaking moment
To the person/s who lit fire/s last weekend, and allowed it to burn unsupervised, please be advised, your carelessness and irresponsibility, caused much damage to our boundary pine posts and chain link fencing. This is heartbreaking for us.
Who meets the cost of fire damage?
One generous donor paid for all costs to properly secure our smallest section in the burial grounds some years ago.
As law-abiding and hardworking community members this damage has caused us much grief, sadness and anger.
Open fires must never be left unsupervised. Such irresponsibility is hard to tolerate, let alone understand.
Sa visau na gauna.
Sa oti na veidokai.
The respect for burial grounds is missing.
Some chose to do their drinking in our cemetery and nearby. What does the future hold?
RONNIE CHANG , Martintar, Nadi.
The stars
Surely they must have got many excited and sent browsers into overdrive here. The stars were in Fiji to bonk and create stars. Potentially for the AVN awards. Oscars of Porn they call it. Did their script also include weed?
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF, Natabua, Lautoka
Porn stars
No room for porn stars in Fiji (FT 20/11). Why has a British porn star come all the way to Fiji to produce porn? Is there a market for that in Fiji given Fiji’s world record on porn viewing? How much of the porn production goes under the radar of the authorities in Fiji?
RAJEND NAIDU, Sydney, Australia
Job description
Is there a job description for the GCC? If so can Government publish it so we all can see what they are permitted to do, or not do as the case may be.
ALLAN LOOSLEY, Tavua
Cost of living
The cost of living keeps rising unless our dollar strengthen against the US dollar, rising cost will not come down. Due to the current food prices the 9 seconds rule has been extended to 15 seconds. “Thumbs up” Wise Muavono, sad eh!
NAVNEET RAM (TD), Lautoka
Fiji cowboys
Someone mentioned on Facebook that Chaudhry and Narube will lead after the 2026 election, but I can’t help but wonder if they truly understand what they’re prophesying or if they’re just followers who lack insight into Fiji’s politics and history. Chaudhry has a broken record, and Narube needs to step up his game instead of playing hide and seek. Episode 1 “Fiji Cowboys”.
AVENAI SERUTABUA, Nabukelevu Village, Serua
Men’s day
Any other celebration for children, women, Ratu Sukuna
day, Diwali are all done with a lot of festivities with a budget set aside by Government. But on International Men’s Day, there is hardly any advert out to celebrate the contribution Fijian men have made for the development and progress of our nation. Wow!
TUKAI LAGONILAKEBA, Nadi
Drug war
Recent drug cases and the discovery of syringes and needles on the shore have raised concerns. It is crucial to understand the actions the Government and relevant authorities plan to take to address this. Can law enforcement conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the root cause of this issue?
JAHEED BUKSH, Sigatoka.
Porn stars
“No room for porn stars in Fiji”. (FT 20/11). How about our “local porn stars”? Are wah.
ANTHONY SAHAI, Levuka, Ovalau
No progress
The Great Council of Chiefs chairperson, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, has firmly maintained that the chiefly institution is not open to members of the public and is a sacred space for “men” only (fbc.com).
With such misogynistic and discriminatory judgements from an ancient organisation such as the BLV, no wonder the essential progress and advancement of the iTaukei populous has remained overtly inert in the last century, while Fiji’s economic prowess continues to be dominated by the vulagi, as they have fruitfully forged ahead with the establishment of various learning institutions (including a university), medical institutes and numerous commercial entities.
I believe the archaic GCC has been a major hindrance to the indigenous socio-economic expansion in the last 100 years and has no relevance in modern Fiji. Abolish it!
NISHANT SINGH, Lautoka
Role of government
If the GCC are charged with looking after the welfare and fixing issues facing the iTaukei, who make up more than 70 per cent of the population, whose welfare is the Government going to look after then?
I think we all know the answer to that. They have been looking after themselves very well lately. The people of Fiji are truly blessed.
JAN NISSAR, Sydney, Australia
Ferry service
Inter-island ferry services are a major link between Vanua Levu and Viti Levu via Nabouwalu, Natovi and Ellington ports.
This can become one of the major transportation modes for people of these two major islands. The ferry services are operating day and night as if there is a race in the sea.
Considering these, there are some risks and threats associated with such operations if they are not well monitored and censored.
Recently this month, I travelled to Vanua Levu and returned via Natovi and Nabouwalu ports. What is more sickening is that reporting time to board a bus is at times one to two hours prior to, and many times buses do not arrive on time.
Secondly, the reporting time to board a boat is one hour prior and boats do not arrive on time and as such passengers under go a lot of challenges and in frustrating situations, in particular, the sick, physically challenging and senior and older passengers.
Many a times when boats are about to berth at ports, there is another boat anchored, and despite berthing boat ‘horning’ more than three or more times, the boat at anchor never takes heed or moves, thus the berthing boat floats around.
This can end up with boats either hitting the anchors, reefs or are grounded.
Moreover, long hours of travelling become even worse when the passengers float around in the sea, thus wastage of time and affects drop-off times where passengers relatives are waiting for them.
It is humbly requested if marine masters are more proactive, Marine Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) and relevant government bodies be more vigilant and take necessary action to address the matter. The scheduled time for departure and arrival must be properly adhered to.
INDAR DEO BISUN, Sakoca Heights, Tamavua.
