Third World Cup JAN NISSAR LAUTOKA WITH the FIFA World Cup on now, I believe that all those countries that did not qualify must be feeling left out. I know many in Fiji feel left out and keep asking why Fiji cannot qualify when other smaller countries have made it through. To alleviate such disappointment, I suggest that FIFA hold a World Cup for the bottom 48 countries that did not qualify. They can call this tournament the Third World Cup – for third world countries. I gather that Fiji will easily qualify for such a tournament, but I doubt they will ever be in the running to come anywhere near the. I only say this because when I see the players, the spectators and the commentators on Fiji TV, I can only conclude that Fiji will never come out from the bottom. It is like they all are talking about something very important when they discuss the local football competition.
White elephants RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI WHILE it’s understood that FSC and Fiji Airways employ hundreds of people and support two important industries, we cannot continue to throw millions of taxpayer dollars to keep them afloat. I believe that board members, very senior staff and associated organisations such as SCGC, Tourism and Sugar Ministry officials are all comfortable with the fact that the Government will as always come to their rescue. It appears that decision makers in these two organisations are comfortable with their attitudes. The rest are described by this casual Hindi expression; “choole meh jao” — you can go anywhere you like with your opinions.
Safety of workers RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU THE death of Suva City Council (SCC) garbage collector, Ritnesh Chand, has raised serious safety concerns of workers who moved around in municipal trucks collecting rubbish. It was disappointing to read that Chand was not wearing proper protective gear while on duty. The family went through so much as they lost their eldest son, Ekavir Chand, just over two months. Ekavir was a student at Rishikul Primary School, and it is a double blow for the family that’s still mourning. Writers have written letters previously on the safety of municipal workers who collect rubbish as they have been seen without proper gear and standing at the rear of the truck, holding on to it. I pity Chand’s wife, Sinal Goundar, who has lost two close family members and a breadwinner. News is around that Chand was chased by a dog while collecting rubbish in Nasese area. It is alleged he tried to hold onto a moving SCC garbage truck but slipped and fell before being run over by the vehicle. Chand’s death is an eye opener to city and town councils and garbage collectors, whose safety must not be compromised. It’s high time to draw up strategies to protect them!
Vilifying Israel SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI, NAUSORI RESPONDING to Fergus Garret and Rajend Naidu letters (FT 3/7/26). Why is it that only when Israel defends itself, that it has to be accused of almost everything, including war crimes? Collateral damages during any war are inevitable, especially, how Hamas had been organising theirs, in my view. Where did the 65,000 number spring out from? Even the 27 per cent and 40 per cent regarding children and women respectively? How many were killed during the recent Syrian civil war? What about Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, Oman and Russia, to mention a few? Just recently, Iran massacred 40,000-plus of its own people. And surprisingly, I am certain, no one wants to talk about it. Even the UN and almost all the mainstream world media, I believe, have absolutely double standards, just to criticise Israel. What is it about such a very tiny nation, surrounded by very powerful Islamic states, that people always vilify publicly? Is it not right for Israel to defend its sovereignty, like any other? Or is it that every time it does, Israel always ends victorious? There is nothing good, in my opinion, to learn information that is erroneous and believed to be true. And some people exercise it very well and become experts, in my opinion. In fact, the most dangerous are those with zealous error and I am certain, most issues of our past, are results of erroneous zealous people. However, I believe, one needs to study the history of Gaza, the so-called Palestinians and Israel, to understand the entire narrative. God bless Israel.
Save energy NAVNEET RAM (TD) LAUTOKA SAVE power to save money. Turn off unnecessary lights the minute we’ve finished with them. Try to save energy with every opportunity we get. Do your part to save energy. Don’t be selfish, don’t be foolish. Don’t be fuelish!
No immunity SUKHA SINGH LABASA SO, if the immunity clause is removed, will the two successful coup makers be charged or is the immunity clause removal meant for future coup makers?
Cabo Verde bows out RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU ARGENTINA survived a World Cup scare as Cabo Verde took the defending champions to the wire. Despite being eliminated 3-2 in extra time after coming back twice, Cabo Verde won hearts. The Cinderella team of this year’s WC pushed the reigning champions to their absolute limit. Avoiding what would have been the greatest, most shocking upset in WC history, Argentina earned a hectic, uninspiring win. Cabo Verde had earned accolades after qualifying from their pool unbeaten and faced a mammoth task facing the star-studded Argentina side. However, they played their hearts out and scored two glorious goals through Deroy Duarte and Sidny Lopes Cabral. Cabral’s goal was a class, a real beauty. Cabo Verde has taught many nations valuable lessons, one being that the size of a nation does not matter, but it’s the hunger and desire to play in the WC. Leadership, vision and strategic planning matter a lot. What say, FFA.
French fries Paraguay ARUN PRASAD DILKUSHA, NAUSORI ONE again, who else but Kylian Mbappe, was the toast of the flamboyant France outfit against Paraguay. His majestic spot kick was the difference between the two teams. France continues with its swan song into the quarter finals of FIFA 26 and Mbappe continues to add to his goals tally. Let’s see who will have the last bite of the French fries!!
US treatment RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA IRAN urges FIFA to stand up to “really terrible” World Cup treatment by US (Reuters 27/6/26 ). Hands up if anybody thinks FIFA president Infantino — the guy who bestowed a “Peace” award on Trump — is likely to do that? It won’t happen. That’s FIFA’s shame.
Budgets are political by design DR SUSHIL K SHARMA LAUTOKA I REFER to the article “Fiji’s economy is too important to be politicised — Dialogue Fiji executive director” (FV, 5 July 2026). The assertion that Fiji’s economy is “too important to be politicised” reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of how parliamentary democracy operates. National budgets are, by their very nature, political documents. Every dollar allocated, every tax imposed or reduced, every borrowing decision, every expenditure priority and every development program reflects the policies and manifesto commitments of the government elected by the people. These are political choices made through democratic mandate. Equally, the Opposition has an equally legitimate democratic responsibility to scrutinise those choices, present alternative economic policies and hold the Government accountable. That is not “politicising” the economy. It is the very essence of parliamentary democracy. Unless Fiji has a Government of National Unity — which it does not — governments and oppositions will inevitably hold different economic philosophies, priorities and policy prescriptions. That diversity of views is not a weakness to be discouraged but a strength to be respected. It allows the public to evaluate competing visions for the country’s future. The role of independent policy organisations is not to discourage political debate but to enrich it through objective, evidence-based analysis. Their responsibility is to ask the difficult questions, challenge assumptions regardless of who occupies the treasury benches, and examine whether policies are delivering measurable outcomes. The commentary reported on July 5 2026 largely endorsed the Finance Minister’s own assessment of the budget while avoiding many of the critical issues that deserve closer examination. It was literally a “rubber stamp” of approval and did not ask any question and neither did any independent factual analysis. Why has government expenditure continued to expand so rapidly? Why has the public service grown so significantly? Has productivity improved accordingly? Is the increasing level of public borrowing financing productive investment or simply sustaining recurrent expenditure? What structural reforms are necessary to restore stronger long-term fiscal sustainability? Why has the Coalition given itself a 138 per cent pay rise and left the citizens fend on $5 per hour minimum pay, if they even have a job. Why was the tourism sector lumbered with a 5 per cent levy for Fiji Airways, and the millions given by them be audited by the government auditorgeneral? This is not politics, but are the hard basket questions Dialogue Fiji should be asking if it wants to be relevant in our society. Why, despite $45million of aid money given by the Australian government for fuel relief, the Government did not use that overseas help, to subsidise at least the price of Kerosene to help the rural, remote, regional and maritime Fijians who do not have power and wood and need it for cooking. These are the questions that independent analysts like Dialogue Fiji executive director should be asking. Having bark and no bite is not the way Dialogue Fiji can help Fiji, as all Fijians get is talanoa from Dialogue Fiji, nothing more. Fijians need tangible results not talanoa that goes for years without any result. If current projections materialise, Fiji’s national debt will approach $13billion, representing around 85 per cent of GDP by the conclusion of this parliamentary term. Whether one supports or opposes the Government, this is a matter requiring rigorous public examination rather than reassuring commentary. Independent scrutiny should never be mistaken for political conflict. Asking hard questions is not an attack on the government; it is a service to good governance. Democracies are strengthened when policies are tested against evidence, assumptions are challenged and governments are held accountable for their decisions. Fiji deserves independent institutions prepared to examine both the strengths and the weaknesses of every budget with intellectual honesty, analytical rigour and complete independence. That is how public confidence is built, and that is how better economic policy is ultimately achieved.
