Light and darkness
I’m quite elated to read that the EFL key management personnel got a rise to the tune of $447,000 last year. A profitable company does remunerate its key people handsomely.
That was last year with the old tariffs in place, and EFL could still afford it. Now EFL has forced through a tariff increase, so this year’s bumper payout will be well funded by the extra revenue received via increased tariff. I’m glad that our electricity bills paid every month will be put to good use. The new tariff is definitely going to fatten a chosen few while the rest go thin and weary, scraping to keep the lights on.
Donald Singh Nausori
Plight of students
Recently, Education Minister Aseri Radrodro mentioned the possibility of assigning final year students to address teacher shortages in certain subjects. While this is a temporary solution, I believe it is essential for the ministry to prioritise placing qualified teachers who are already waiting for postings.
At Nakasi High School, we have a Maths/Physics graduate from USP who has expressed interest in teaching at our school. Despite our efforts, the ministry has not yet appointed this qualified individual. We are eager to provide our students with the education they deserve, and having the right teachers in place is crucial for their success.
We understand the minister’s commitment to appointing teachers in a timely manner, and we kindly urge the ministry to expedite the process so that our students can benefit from quality education without further delay.
Arun Prasad Manager, Nakasi High School
Concerns over sea travel
Veteran seafarer Raivolite Uluilakeba reminds us that in the past there were government operated medical vessels which served Fiji’s marine communities and questions why frontline medical teams are now being transported in small fibreglass boats (FT 31/7/26).
He raises a critical issue of national importance in light of the disappearance of six medical officials in Lau waters (Thankfully they were rescued).
Is the withdrawal of the government operated medical vessels strategically sited to serve the outlying marine communities another case of government service to the people going backward?
That’s a crying shame.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Thank you
I wish to acknowledge and commend everyone who contributed to the search and rescuing of the six health workers who were reported missing; particularly the crew members of Lomaiviti Princess 12.
Bravo to the LP12 crew’s effort! Oh, how I greatly applaud the crew of the Lomaiviti Princess and the selfless commitment provided. If only the Waidina River is wide enough for your Lomaiviti Princess 12, I will definitely ditch my HMS No Come Back and trustfully jump on your board.
Peceli Alistir Waitolu, Naitasiri
Staff safety
I just want to comment regarding the health workers. This must be a lesson to future governments regarding the safety of our health workers surviving in maritime areas, especially in the Lau Group.
They are taking a huge risk by serving our outer island communities. The parents and relatives were so pleased to see their sons and daughters rescued safely.
We are wasting too much money on court cases — why can’t we use the funds to buy a proper, better ship for the health workers?
Maika Tabukovu Cunningham, Suva
Health workers safely rescued!
Thank God, the six missing healthcare workers were rescued after hours adrift!
The news of six medical personnel lost for two days in the Lau waters took the nation by storm.
Worried families, emotional loved ones and relentless search made headlines. While some had given up, the faithful ones stood by God and prayed for these medical personnel who were rescued off the cost of Lakeba.
I thank the crew and staff of Goundar Shipping Services vessel Lomaiviti Princess 12 for rescuing the team who were found huddled together in a circle, floating near a small island. The commitment and expertise demonstrated by the crew deserve accolades and the presidents medal for their act of bravery. It’s a pity that these medical personnel went through so much trauma, pain, emotions and misery, while carrying out their duties.
They had to battle the rough seas for hours. This is a wake-up call. Our medical personnel serving on the outer islands deserve the best in terms of their protection medical centre facilities, quarters and transportation.
After all, they are delivering services to the best of their abilities.
I request PM Sitiveni Rabuka and the Ministry of Health Minister and Assistant Minister to see to their grievances which must be addressed.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Golden oldies
The Fiji Times (29/7) article referring to Mahendra Chaudhry, titled “Direct attack”, that he is too old to be a leader shows how some of us respect our seniors who are blessed with golden age.
Let’s not forget matured Mr Chaudhry, a lion-hearted living example, can still face the challenges to fight for our rights.
Age is no barrier.
If you don’t believe in heroes, you haven’t met Mr Chaudhry.
Old is gold.
Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Boxing gold
Please be informed that a Tongan boxer won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 1982 for Fiji. I believe he tried his best to become a Fiji citizen but failed.
Sukha Singh Labasa
Social welfare
It’s a relief to read in The Fiji Times (FT 15/7) that 130,000 Fijians will receive their social welfare assistance.
I hope the older adults who are highly vulnerable will also receive their dues as they are struggling to meet their basic needs in this ever-rising cost of living situation.
Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Trump speaks
America’s constitution states “no one can be elected President more than twice” but President Trump said at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in his typical “lengthy and disjointed speech” that he “would be running for a third term” (The Daily Telegraph, FT 27/7/26).
It reminds me of the rogue African dictators who declared themselves president for life.
It seems the self-styled emperor of America has the same Machiavellian design to cling to power regardless of the constitutional stipulation.
American people must not let the megalomaniac do that under their constitutional democracy.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Government vessels
The recent rescue of the six medical officers off the deep Lau waters brought back memories of my late Ta, Samuela Veikoso and his crew of the government vessels such as Kapaiwai, Cagi Donu and Naba Walu.
As a young child growing up in Nasova, Levuka, we were known as the gone ni bareki because our fathers were crew members of the government vessels mentioned above that serviced the maritime islands, based in Levuka.
These government vessels provided the safety and protection of government officials from the late President, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau to ministers, education and medical officers that visited the maritime islands to bring much needed services to them.
Perhaps, the Government needs to bring these types of vessels back to service the maritime islands. The lives of our civil servants who serve in these maritime islands are also worth preserving.
Let’s cut down on carbon footprints with overseas travels and use those financial resources to purchase worthy government vessels and crew to provide these essential services to our maritime islands.
Vani Veikoso Shenzhen
Safety at sea
With regard to the recent near-tragedy in the seas between Moce and Oneata, I would like to repeat a point I have made previously in these columns: that, in our headlong rush for ‘westernisation’, otherwise known as veimurimuri vakamataboko, we are ignoring the obvious solutions to problems that have been readily available for millenia.
In this case, I am referring to traditional sailing vessels, particularly the type camakau, known as camakacu or waqavoce in Lau.
These vessels are perfectly safe. I have travelled on them many times and never felt any anxiety. Up until some 40 years ago they were the usual mode of transport between islands in Lau and accidents were very rare, whereas accidents and loss of life in boats are relatively common. They also require no imported fuel.
The reason for their demise is simply that Government has failed to encourage their construction and use, instead promoting only western-style vessels.
Anyone wanting to build a house of western materials will find government departments and NGOs falling over each other rushing to offer assistance, but nobody will help if you want to build a house of traditional materials.
The same applies to sea-going vessels: lots of funding available for launches and boats that depend on imported fuel, but nobody (with the honourable exception of USA-based NGO Pacific Blue) will offer assistance if you want to construct or sail a waqavoce.
In other words, our governments past and present have been pursuing a policy of technocide, deliberately destroying local knowledge, despite rhetoric to the contrary.
Whether it is the result of sheer ignorance or siding with businesses that sell western materials is a moot question.
Paul Geraghty USP, Suva
Eileen Shines in Green and Gold
As a Fijian, I beamed with pride when I saw Eileen Cikamatana make headlines after winning her third gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Cikamatana, who has ties to the Old Capital, has brought hope and a ray of sunshine in the sport of weightlifting as her achievements will empower young Fijians to take up weightlifting.
She planted the seed of hard work, and despite the obstacles, she was able to harvest the fruit of golden success.
Cikamatana has made every Fijian proud.
She has laid the foundation for weightlifters and proved that despite all odds, struggles and challenges, one can be triumphant when one perseveres.
Congrats Eileen Cikamatana on your achievement! The nation is super proud of you!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Migration of teachers
I read with absolute fascination that over 1100 of our teachers have packed their bags for Australia and New Zealand recently, leaving us with a grand deficit of 1000 vacant positions.
Frankly, I think we are looking at this all wrong. The Ministry of Education shouldn’t be panicking; they should be applying for a national export award!
We have successfully turned Fiji’s education system into a premier, world-class training academy for international markets. We recruit local talent, give them years of grueling classroom experience dealing with lack of resources, pay them modest local wages, and then happily hand them over to Australian recruiters offering $F90,000 packages with free housing, electricity, and water. It is an incredibly generous philanthropic strategy on our part to subsidize the workforce of our wealthier neighbors.
The Ministry’s brilliant tactical masterstroke to fix this is to fast-track final-year tertiary students straight into high-demand classrooms. Nothing says “high-quality education” quite like putting a 21-year-old student — who hasn’t even finished their own exams — in charge of preparing 30 17-year-olds for theirs! It’s the blind leading the blind, but hey, at least someone is standing near the whiteboard. Of course, the big mystery is: why are some teachers actually choosing to stay? As far as I can tell, the ones sticking around fall into the category of:
The Hopeless Romantics: Teachers who genuinely believe that local “bula spirit” can pay for their grocery bills at the supermarket checkout.
If the Ministry ever gets tired of winning awards for “Most Generous Donor of Skilled Labor,” they might actually want to try retaining these poor souls.
First, they could try a radical, untested experiment called paying teachers a livable salary so they don’t look at an Australian job ad like it’s a winning lottery ticket. Second, instead of drowning our remaining educators in mountains of unnecessary, soul-crushing bureaucratic paperwork, let them do what they were actually trained to do: teach. Finally, maybe we could upgrade the actual infrastructure of our rural and maritime schools. If a classroom has working electricity, a roof that doesn’t leak when it drizzles, and basic internet, a teacher might just mistake it for a modern workplace and decide to stay.
Suman Lata Lautoka
West Papua land fight
I am not surprised by the reports of political repression, dispossession and economic exploitation highlighted by RNZ Pacific journalist Kaya Selby in his article ‘West Papua land fight: Human Rights Watch report says Indonesia is silencing environmental activists’ (FT 31/7/26).
The documentary Pig Feast captures this very comprehensively.
I was fortunate to watch a Sydney University screening of it and acquire an insight into the predicament of this neo-colonial Indonesia plunder.
I wrote a letter to editor to share insights on the plight of the West Papuans but the letter was not published. It was, however, published in PNG newspaper The National on June 1, 2026.
I am glad Kaya Selby’s article on the same subject has been published in The Fiji Times.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Title decider!
The premier league clash between Labasa and Ba at Subrail Park this afternoon could decide the winner of this year’s Extra Premier League.
Ba leads the pack with 33 points, one above Labasa and four above Rewa. It’s a three-way race between the Men in Black, the Babasiga Lions and the Tigers.
Ba beat Labasa 1-0 at Subrail Park in the BiC Fiji Fact tournament through Etonia Dogalau’s screamer that broke the hearts of thousands of Labasa fans. Labasa will miss head coach Alvin Chand and Melvin Mani who scored a sizzler against Navua and rescued the Lions. This is Labasa’s golden moment. The boys need to play for their fans and make them proud.
I’m making a plea with all Labasa fans to pack Subrail Park and make some noise for the Lions. I must commend Ba president Praneel Dayal and his executive for their inputs in making Ba a force to reckon with.
Today’s clash will ignite the traditional rivalry between the sides. I’m expecting exciting football with high hopes that the Lions will outclass Ba and take top spot on the table!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Drua W Celebrate Stellar Season
Hats off to the McDonald’s Fiji Fijian Drua Women for a stellar season. The Drua won four matches, beating the Reds twice 50-17 and 31-5 in the semi-final, the Brumbies 42-25, the Western Force 29-24 and lost two- both to the New South Wales Waratahs, 42-21 in round one and 34-17 in the final. The girls gave all, but things did not go their way in the final at home in an agonizing loss. However, that’s not the end of the journey and I’m glad that a grand awards night was held in their honour. The awards night united the players, coaching staff, team management, sponsors and well-wishers. Apart from reaching four finals, the Drua have bagged two titles- 2022 against the NSW Waratahs 32-26 and 2023 against the Queensland Reds 38-30.
The Drua’s rise in the Super W competition is positive news. At the awards night, Josivini Naihamu stood tall as she claimed the Encore Players’ Player of the Year Award, Fiji Airways Try of the Year Award and McDonald’s Fiji Player of the Year Award. Presenting players with awards boosts their morale and motivates them to perform better the following rugby season.
Wishing our women the best!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Internal battle storms
The other day a friend of mine from Fiji sent me a video clip. After watching it, the message “spoke” clearly to me. It was something I’d done with my own family many years ago.
And I’ll get to it in a moment.
When the Second World War finally ended, Britain faced the enormous task of rebuilding shattered cities. Germany had to reconstruct not only its buildings but its conscience. Japan rose from the ashes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to become one of the world’s great economic powers. Across Europe and Asia, nations slowly rebuilt lives, institutions and hope.
Reconstruction took decades.
It demanded sacrifice, vision, humility and a commitment to future generations rather than immediate political victories.
Fiji has never endured the devastation of a world war on its own soil. Our towns were not bombed. Our bridges weren’t destroyed. Yet in another sense, we’ve lived through our own internal battle storms.
The four coups have left scars that can’t be measured simply in dollars, economic statistics or government reports. Their deepest wounds are found in broken hearts and broken people, tarnished trust, fractured relationships, political suspicion, lost opportunities, divided communities and a generation that grew up believing instability was somehow part of our national identity.
Buildings can be rebuilt.
Roads can be resurfaced and reconstructed.
Businesses can reopen.
But rebuilding trust and removing barriers between people is infinitely harder.
Every administration since the first coup has inherited part of that burden. Governments have come and gone, each promising to restore confidence, strengthen democracy and repair the nation’s finances. Some have made meaningful progress. Others have stumbled. All have discovered the same uncomfortable truth.
It’s impossible to undo nearly forty years of accumulated political, economic and social turmoil in just one parliamentary term.
The expectation itself is unrealistic.
Too often, coup makers imagine that removing a government will instantly solve the nation’s problems. History repeatedly tells a different story.
A coup may overthrow a government overnight.
But it can’t rebuild a nation overnight.
Instead, it often creates fresh uncertainty. Investors hesitate. Skilled people leave in droves. Institutions weaken. Families become divided. The very problems a coup claims to solve frequently become even more entrenched with soul destroying heartbreak.
History teaches a simple lesson.
Destroying is always faster than rebuilding. Let that sink in to your soul.
Constructing a home may take a year.
Destroying it can take minutes.
Building broken trust takes decades.
Losing it takes a single reckless decision.
There’s also a deeper question that extends beyond politics.
And it’s a spiritual question.
Throughout the Bible, rebellion is portrayed as carrying profound consequences. The first rebellion was Lucifer’s revolt against God. Scripture consistently warns that rebellion against rightful authority carries a heavy moral responsibility, even while recognising that governments themselves are accountable for justice and righteousness.
For Christians, this raises uncomfortable questions.
If rebellion against lawful authority has spiritual consequences, what does that mean for those who participated in, supported or celebrated the overthrow of a constitutional government?
These aren’t easy questions. And there aren’t easy answers.
Because they demand honest self-examination rather than political spin and political slogans.
However, none of us is beyond redemption. The tenets of the Christian faith is founded upon repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation. No mistake is too great for God’s mercy when there’s genuine humility and a willingness to seek forgiveness.
That’s true for individuals.
It’s equally true for a nation.
Perhaps Fiji’s greatest need today isn’t another political slogan, another constitutional debate or another promise of economic reform.
Perhaps what we need most is national repentance.
Repentance doesn’t mean endlessly living in the past.
It means honestly acknowledging it.
It means admitting where we were wrong, seeking forgiveness where forgiveness is needed, extending grace where grace is possible, and resolving never to repeat the mistakes that wounded our people and wounded our nation.
Healing begins with truth.
Reconciliation begins with humility and humbleness.
A stable democracy begins when citizens and leaders alike understand that no political objective is worth sacrificing the rule of law, public trust and national unity.
The future of Fiji will not ultimately be secured by stronger personalities or more persuasive politicians with rash promises that tickle the ears of the electorate.
It’ll be secured when we become a people who value constitutional government above personal ambition, principle above power and reconciliation above revenge.
History has already taught us the price of rebellion.
The question now is whether we have the wisdom and the courage to learn from it before another generation is asked to pay the same price.
And perhaps what’s needed now more than ever before is a time of renewal and a time of restoration and a time of humility.
Before Jesus Christ went to the Cross to reconcile humanity’s past that had been captured in the grip of rebellion, He did something that touched me deeply. He knelt like a servant before His Disciples and washed their feet.
Therein lies, not only, one of the greatest examples of humility and humble leadership but a remarkable example of spiritual breakthrough.
Colin Deoki Australia
Children’s welfare
Is the elimination rounds of the 2026 Deans rugby competition witnessing a change which will pay long term dividends in raising the standard of competition as well as quality of players selected for national duties? The decision by authorities to allow qualifying teams to recruit up to six players from other teams within their divisions (which have been eliminated) is drawing mixed reactions including exchanges of strong and opposing views around the grog basin. I am wondering if we, as rugby fans, are overlooking the welfare of players who are still students, not fully professional players. What happens if a school team gets eliminated from the final rounds and recruited players are blamed for the loss? How do we, as adults and parents, ensure good sportsmanship and avoid intimation or victimisation of our children? Will the training schedules of qualifying schools affect schoolwork of players recruited from other schools, which may have different classroom schedules? Who pays for medical bills should a recruited player fall victim to serious injury? Is the school which recruits these new players willing to foot medical bills? If so, who pays? All in all, we love our rugby and want the best for our children but lets not forget that they our human beings. Therefore, the quest for glory should not override their welfare and welling being, especially in a sport like rugby, which is quite physical and includes high chances of injury.
May the best teams progress to the final stage and I look forward to exciting matches in the coming weeks. Can other teams dethrone QVS and RKS? Only time will tell.
Floyd Robinson Micronesia
When Children Need our Support
I salute our editor-in-chief, Fred Wesley for penning a heart-touching editorial (FT: 31/07) titled ‘Fighting for every child’.
I read the editorial with a heavy heart, knowing that it is difficult having to live with cancer. Life is tough when a loved one is suffering from cancer.
Wesley, via his editorial, reminded us about how fragile life is and the importance of family support.
He reminded us about the importance of early detection.
I respect the work done by organisations like the Fiji Cancer Society and Walk On Walk Strong (WOWS) Kids Fiji, as they are the light that aids and supports families, and Wesley shed light on this, “We say acknowledgement is due to WOWS Kids Fiji. They work tirelessly behind the scenes”.
I also extend my sincere appreciation to companies and individuals who render their support to children battling cancer. Their financial support has been a blessing and has touched lives.
The Fiji Times continues to be the mouthpiece and voice for ordinary Fijians and those suffering from cancer.
Wesley pointed out that families need support and reassurance. They need to be motivated to be there for their loved ones.
As individuals, let’s respect their resilience. I’m glad my school (Nabua Secondary), family and Mandali (Balgovind Road Nadawa Satsang Ramayan Mandali) are part of WOWS Kids Fiji and the Fiji Cancer Society.
To The Fiji Times, Fiji’s iconic, oldest and most powerful brand and the people’s newspaper, hats off for the awareness that you create for children battling cancer!
I conclude with the words of hope shared by Wesley, “Together, we can work to ensure that every child battling cancer lives with hope, dignity and the belief that there are brighter days”.
Let’s be beacons of hope for someone in need of hope and life!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
There you go!
At one point, the public is silently struggling to cater family desires for sugar on the dining table, while a pay rise of one particular minister is loud enough to shut her up.
How can a government-on-the-run, silently covering the sugar issues for almost a month now, if I’m correct.
The problem is right there, “$85/tonne” will not balance the scale with farmer’s expenses.
How is that hard to understand, dear Ms honourable Minister for Forestry?
Last week, as my simple brain recalls, Esrom Emmanuel was saying that importing sugar will finally solve the problem of sugar issues in our supermarket, (FT 21/07).
And now, “The Reserve Bank of Fiji has kept its Overnight Policy Rate at 0.25 percent, saying the economy is slowing while inflation remains elevated due to rising import costs”, clearly said by the Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor, Ariff Ali (FT 31/07).
How much would this imported sugar cost, Lord have mercy!
Being the improvising sort of fellow that I am, I found myself sweetening my hot brew with Tang.
Perhaps that is what we shall have to do while we wait for the imported sugar to arrive. Shall we?
Peceli Alistir Waitolu, Naitasiri
Fire safety
With the reference to the recent statement by CEO of the National Fire Authority that the process is underway for mandatory installation of smoke detectors in every home, this concept may face challenges.
While I acknowledge the importance of smoke detectors in safeguarding lives and property, I wish to highlight a troubling inconsistency in the enforcement of fire safety standards.
It has come to my attention that while households are being compelled to install smoke detectors, many businesses are being granted operating licences without evidence of annual checks on other critical fire safety equipment.
Fire extinguishers, hydrants, alarms, and sprinkler systems are often not inspected or certified on a yearly basis, yet these businesses continue to operate under valid licenses issued by the Authority. .
This disparity raises serious questions about the fairness and effectiveness of current fire safety enforcement. If the objective is to ensure public safety, then equal emphasis must be placed on both residential and commercial compliance.
Businesses, which often host large numbers of employees and customers, pose a greater risk in the event of fire, and unchecked equipment could lead to catastrophic consequences.
I respectfully request that the National Fire Authority to review its licensing procedures to ensure annual physical inspections of all fire safety equipment in businesses and not merely issuing certificates on the payment of the fees only.
I trust that the Authority will treat this matter with urgency and take corrective measures to ensure that fire safety standards are applied .
Satish Nakched Suva
Cyber bullying
In today’s world, shaped by the advancement of technology and the pervasive influence of the internet, we find that communication, learning, and self-expression have been transformed in unprecedented ways.
As technology rapidly evolves and our dependency on the internet grows, a significant portion of our lives is now spent online.
Although these technological advancements have largely made life more convenient, they have introduced new challenges as well. Among these challenges is the issue of cyberbullying.
To clarify, cyberbullying involves bullying someone through internet or digital platforms. It encompasses a range of harmful activities, such as harassment, flaming, internet stalking, doxxing, impersonation, fraud, and the dissemination of false information.
Individuals can use the internet with malicious intent to harm or dismantle another person’s life while remaining anonymous behind devices like computers, tablets, or mobile phones.
Statistics from UNICEF indicate that over one in three young people across 30 countries have encountered online bullying, highlighting cyberbullying as an escalating global concern.
Therefore, as the internet becomes increasingly integral to daily life, it is crucial to implement stronger measures to protect its users and ensure their safety.
Suresh Chand Nadi
Japan’s secret
After having visited Japan many times over the years, I think I may have worked out the secret for their success as a country and as a people.
It is simple, straightforward and has been staring me in the face all along.
The biggest asset of Japan is its people. The rest follows naturally. The Japanese are the most honest, full of integrity and professionalism and set the highest standards in everything they do.
Should I mention hard work and a passionate work ethic to get things done.
They are not the type who do things half-heartedly or leave things half finished.
They also have a passion for innovation and improvement. They are not self-serving and do things for the greater good.
The Japanese are not very religious or superstitious either – things which hold many other countries and their people back. Certainly prayers and fasting are the last thing on their mind.
All these characteristics come from within. These things cannot be taught. These characteristics are part of the culture and tradition and form the natural fabric of the country. In a country such as this, people are simply born smart.
My thoughts are with the people of southern Japan which has been hit by an earthquake. They certainly will not be waiting for aid to arrive from around the world as if it is their entitlement.
Jan Nissar Osaka, Japan
Australian military might
When I read ‘Australia joins Pacific nations flexing military muscle’ (AAP 31/7/26) to “curb the threat of further Chinese militarisation in the region” I wonder if we were meant to say wow at Australia’s military prowess?
Or, should we lament the tragedy enveloping humanity and planet earth precisely on account of such military activities as the RIM PAC as investigative journalist Abby Martin so insightfully and illuminatingly captures in her documentary Earth’s Biggest Enemy? I think clear thinking Australians and others in the region and beyond would have a clear answer to that.
Rajend Naidu Australia
