Congrats and answers please! NISHANT SINGH LAUTOKA CONGRATULATIONS to McDonald’s Fiji on operating in the country for over 30 years. That said, despite my earlier queries going unanswered, I remain puzzled as to why this global fast-food giant chooses not to include pork and bacon on its local menu, items that are standard offerings in many of its outlets worldwide, while continuing to serve beef products without hesitation. Clarity on this inconsistency would be appreciated. I trust that this time, the management of McDonald’s Fiji will take the courtesy to respond to my “porky” query.
Kicking away possession EDWARD BLAKELOCK PACIFIC HARBOUR LET’S keep and usefully use possession. Let’s not kick away vital and hard earned possession. When box kicks and clearance kicks go awry, we usually suffer. Let’s do better in Ba this week and successfully defend that fortress !
Waste to energy NARAYAN REDDY LAUTOKA I WAS part of the group that participated in the EIA discussion that was held in Lautoka. I am not impressed by the sweet talk nor the promise of cheap electricity or a rubbish free Fiji. Anybody can make promises but can they live up to those promises, is another question? Looking around Viti Levu alone, how many projects had ground breaking but never left the ground, the new court house complex, Shirley Park development, One Hundred Sands development, Waila City development, Lautoka foreshore development and I can keep naming more projects. Australia didn’t allow the same company to build the same in Australia because the government of Australia must have seen and found out something that our current Fiji Government is unaware of. Why can’t the Government ask help from Australia and find out more about this project then Fiji will better understand the situation. After all Australia is always there to help Pacific brothers. For me personally, I would say no to this project.
An eye for an eye SELWA NANDAN LAUTOKA A POLICEMAN on duty was brutally murdered and another one is in a critical condition after being recklessly hit by a car at a check point. While I do not condone such violent criminal acts nor do I wish to trivialise the seriousness of the crimes committed by the perpetrators, one must not forget that we are dealing with human lives. Whether a person is guilty or innocent should be left to the courts to decide. In other words, the rule of the law must be followed and maintained. We must refrain from being a judge, jury and executioner. Otherwise there will be no difference between the criminals and the law keepers. This could lead to perpetuating a culture of lawlessness. There is always the possibility of an innocent person losing his life if excessive force is applied during interrogation.
Ungrammatical PAUL GERAGHTY USP, SUVA ONCE again, I am obliged to point out a mistake in the printing of my Letter to the Editor (25/4/26). Under the heading “Discrimination by language”, I wrote, inter alia, “every constitution we have had bans discrimination by language.” This was somehow changed on publication to “every constitution we have had ban discrimination.” (underlining mine) which is, of course, ungrammatical. It may seem a minor matter, but I do prefer to write standard English, and it irks me when what I write is changed, and may give the impression that I am unable to write grammatically. Let me explain. English nouns and noun phrases beginning with “every”, including “everyone”, “everything” etc, take a singular verb. Somehow this grammatical rule has not made its way into our educational system, and I can provide hundreds of examples from local reporters and letter-writers, such as “everyone are happy”, rather than the correct “everyone is happy”. The solution, Turaga Edita, is to simply print what I write, and I hope you will do so in the future.
Healthy food AMINISITAI TORA NADERA, NASINU WE always seem to be reading and listening on eating healthy. But one wonders about the prices of healthy food. Even some of the fresh vegetable prices are unbelievably high, let alone meat and fish. Could be the reason why junk food is more popular.
Pay cut SUKHA SINGH LABASA THANK you Inia Seruiratu for asking for a 50 per cent pay cut. They could have all asked for a 100 per cent pay cut because they had their pay increased by 130 per cent. If they get elected again, they can increase their pay again. You are the blessed lot because only you decide what you should be paid.
Bid defeated WISE MUAVONO BALAWA, LAUTOKA THE Leader of the Opposition’s amendment motion for a 50 per cent pay cut was defeated. So much for sharing the burden and leading by example. What a government with a bunch of hypocritical clowns!
Coke Games RONALD PRATAP VATULAULAU, BA IN my opinion, these types of games should be sponsored by companies who manufacture or distribute healthy products instead of a company which manufacturers and distributes “fizzy” drinks which contains high sugar. On a daily basis our media houses are promoting Fijian people to stay away from “sugary” products, keeping in mind the rise of “diabetes” related issues in Fiji and on the other hand, our kids are openly pushed to take part in such sponsored events where “fizzy” drinks are the only option to drink. Hope the above makes sense.
Budget well TAHIR ALI HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND WE should always be mindful of budgeting, with less travels, car pooling and more homegrown vegetables and less luxuries. This is the way to survive in this global fuel crisis. Go for affordable living for your wellbeing and healthy life.
Waste challenges PECELI ALISTIR WAITOLU, NAITASIRI I WRITE to express my deep concern — and indeed, outrage — at the proposed $US1.4billion wastetoenergy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda (FT 26/03/26). While it is being marketed under the appealing label of “green energy”, a closer look reveals a far more troubling reality. Fiji produces approximately 200,000 tonnes of waste annually. Yet this proposed facility requires close to 900,000 tonnes each year to operate at capacity. This glaring mismatch raises an unavoidable question: where will the remaining 700,000 tonnes come from? The likely answer is overseas. If so, Fiji risks transforming itself from a nation striving for sustainability into a destination for imported waste. This is not partnership — it borders on environmental exploitation. Fiji, a country already on the frontlines of climate change, should not be positioned as a disposal site for the excess waste of larger, wealthier nations. Countries with the resources and infrastructure to manage their own waste must be held to that responsibility, rather than exporting the problem to smaller island states. Furthermore, waste-to-energy incineration creates a long-term dependency on a continuous stream of waste. Instead of encouraging reduction, recycling, and sustainable practices, it locks a country into feeding a system that requires waste to survive. This runs counter to global efforts toward circular economies and zero-waste strategies. There are also serious environmental and health considerations. Even the most advanced incinerators produce emissions and generate hazardous by-products such as fly ash. In this case, reports indicate tens of thousands of tonnes of toxic ash annually. The question must be asked: where will this waste be stored, and at what longterm cost to our land, water, and communities? Equally concerning is the proposed location. The Vuda area, with its mangroves and coastal ecosystems, plays a vital role in food security, biodiversity, and natural coastal protection. To compromise such an environment for an industrial-scale incinerator raises fundamental questions about priorities and stewardship. Fiji’s global identity as a clean, pristine destination is not just a matter of pride — it underpins our tourism sector and economic wellbeing. Any development that risks that reputation, whether in reality or perception, must be carefully scrutinised. Finally, major projects of this scale demand transparency, strong governance, and alignment with a clear national waste management strategy. Without these, the risks — environmental, economic, and social — are simply too great. We all agree that Fiji must address its waste challenges. But the solution should not create new and potentially irreversible problems. We must pursue approaches that reduce waste at its source, strengthen recycling systems, and protect the natural environment that sustains us. Fiji is not an ashtray for the developed world. We are a nation to be respected, protected, and preserved for future generations.
45-year-old unbeaten jump RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU LOATA Delana Turagavuli, 60, who set a golden long jump record in 1981 as a stu- dent at Suva Grammar School, had a time- ly advice for young athletes, especially girls, “Remain disciplined, listen to your coaches and stay committed. If you want to be a winner, you must train to become a winner.” Words of wisdom from a former ath- lete whose 5.30m long jump record has not been shattered for 45 years! I must thank Alifereti Sakiasi and The Fiji Times (01/05) for enlighten- ing readers on the life of Loata who shared her success story and how she juggled sports and school- based activities to achieve fame and honour. It’s a delight to read that Sakiasi via the People Column, shared the inspirational journey of a former athlete who is recognised for holding the oldest standing record of the annual school’s competition. Loata’s commitment resulted in her success, but that commitment extended beyond the track as she shared how she strictly followed her diet and trained from as early as 4am. She also paid tribute to her upbringing — a lesson parents of every athlete must take count of if they want their child to succeed as an athlete. Isa, I wish you all the best madam Loata! Keep striving!
Health centre AJAI KUMAR NADI WHEN the Namaka Health Centre was closed late last year for renovations, patients were advised to go either to the Blackrock Health Centre or Nadi Hospital for consultations and clinics. Now that the Blackrock facility has been closed for security reasons, can the Ministry of Health hurry up and complete renovations of the Namaka Health Centre? Switching from Blackrock Votualevu to a new venue at Sharada Centre in town is never a good option as it costs more in time and money to travel to the downtown venue. It’s an additional burden on the poor in the society. From the time Namaka was closed to now, renovation works are hardly visible and it appears that completing renovations quickly is no one’s business. By the way, who owns the Namaka Health Centre buildings, is it Ministry of Health or Airports Fiji Ltd? And in whose interest is it to get the facility upgraded promptly, Ministry of Health or Airports Fiji Ltd? Whoever it is, my request is for the Namaka Health Centre renovations to be completed soon and not burden our people with additional travel costs.
Christian state KIRAN KHATRI SAMABULA NORTH, SUVA BEFORE starting any discussion on a Christian state, the churches should work on Christian values. There is rampant non-Christian actions in the country with no solution in sight. Drug issues, pregnancies before marriage, domestic violence, alcohol and kava abuse, HIV and many more issues exist in our society without reins. No point calling a Christian state when Christian values are not even practised.
Just constitution RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA IN his letter “Just constitution” (FT 1/5) Rev James Shri Bhagwan presents a perspective that transcends parochial thinking. It gives concrete shape to the concept of our country being composed of many different people but one nation where everyone belongs regardless of race and religion. That’s the kind of thinking Fiji needs to be a modern multiracial democracy, and not the ethnonationalist claptrap.
Police don’t mess around DONALD SINGH NAUSORI HAVING driven past the Coke Games venue multiple times since Thursday morning, I have actually shouted, sometimes to myself, “too good”. Police presence in and around the Cokes venue, cops on bikes waiting, watching and ready to burn rubber if anyone puts a foot wrong or tries anything out of the ordinary. Those officers on foot at the carpark, the entrance and inside the arena means business. High school students from around the country, athletes, their parents, friends and teachers, everyone, else headed to or away from the venue are showing exemplary character in terms of behaviour. What an assuring sight to see our people behaving properly and in a civilised manner, unlike past years and decades when the Cokes presented us with some of the most disorderly behaviours. This year’s Cokes may well be the safest yet. The Fiji Police Force is enough to maintain law and order, sometimes using a little aggression. The drug pushers must be swearing, maybe changing strategies. Run, can’t hide. I see light at the end of the tunnel, and the tunnel is not long. If the cops run short of manpower, there are a few of us out there who are also up for it, with batons or bare knuckle. I like what I’m seeing. Safe games. Winning may not matter if people don’t reach home safely. Too good.
Juvenile delinquency SUE CAUTY PACIFIC HARBOUR THE Fiji Teachers Association is correct. Juvenile delinquency is now rife – not just in Fiji but in many other countries. And they are also correct that this problem stems from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which resulted in an agreement amongst nations to give children “rights” without any consideration or mention of parental rights: you can read the Bill online. The decision to make known to children the Rights of the Child was taken in 1989 – that is almost two generations ago – and look at the result. Today’s society is all too quick to accept authority’s decisions to take the easy way out, without question. When a problem is noted they treat the problem as a whole – not its particular original part. Normal counts for nothing – if a few people do the bad thing punish everybody. Why? Because punishing everybody is quicker and easier than taking the normal into consideration. Once upon a time there were normal families. They had naughty children and problem teenagers: perfect children are rare! But normal parents had tacit parental rights to back them up – and so they punished their kids – not severely, not abusively – they made the punishment fit the crime. Then along came the UN in 1989 and made what was tacit, illegal. There are always a few abnormal parents who either ignore or attack their children mercilessly – they break bones, hearts and spirits – and the authorities, knowing it has to stop, decide to punish all parents. Rather than go to the trouble of singling out the bad from the good they decided to punish everyone – to the detriment of the parents, to the detriment of society as a whole, but most of all to the detriment of the children. Children want and need boundaries. They want and need security. Anybody who knows anything about crime knows that the worst offenders had problem childhoods – suffering either abuse of some kind, or neglect, or both. They come from broken homes – not the good, caring broken homes where the children get to enjoy both parents – but the broken homes caused by domestic violence and neglect and drugs and crime. Children want and need boundaries – but in one thoughtless moment the UN took that away from them – and now we are left wondering how the UN could have been so thick-headed – were not some or most of those delegates parents? Or were most of them too cowardly to stand up to the advocates of mass punishment and demand fairminded assessments. Perhaps we might excuse those UN delegates on the grounds of Political Correctness – but it was PC that started the rot in the first place. “We must not discriminate” was quickly interpreted to mean – “we must not discriminate, at all, ever, under any circumstances”. Humanity is being relegated from its rational, logical majority down to its lowest common denominator – and its young people are paying the price, as they will continue to do for the rest of their ruined lives, lacking self-respect, selfcontrol, and all the other positive self-hyphens you will find in the thesaurus. Surely we can all agree that those who manage society on our behalf make mistakes – sometimes we elect the wrong people – we humans do get things wrong. However, it is we, the people, who are ultimately to blame because we do not, or dare not, speak truth to power. All too often those we elect get to taste a little power and it goes to their heads: it encourages them to feel entitled – better than the rest of us. They forget who elected them and care more for their pay cheque and perks than for the well-being of those who elected them and they opt for the easy life: and the easiest way to an easy life is to dumb down to the lowest common denominator and solve problems the unproblematic, undemanding way. Fiji is an autonomous country – a republic which is of the people, by the people, and for the people – the best definition of democracy yet. Fiji is owned by its citizens who elect representatives to serve the interests of everybody. It will take just one country – one government – one nation – to talk truth to power and denounce this thoughtless declaration. The United Nations is wrong – clear and simple – the UN delegates are wrong; and it is urgent that they are made to understand this: and the only way in which we, the people, the electors of our countries can make them understand that, is by defiance. Why should Fiji not be the first to talk truth to power? We have knuckled under and obeyed those who comprise the United Nations who have no idea about and care even less about the culture of a little country like Fiji. They have no idea of the damage they are doing; to say nothing of the fact that we are already battling a drug problem which, if they thought about it, they have helped to cause. Much of the world has been coerced into throwing out the baby with the bath water and few have stopped to think that it is two generations of children who are suffering and will suffer in future because there is worse to come if we, the normal parents, are not given the right to punish our children as we see fit. We the parents must not be expected to hand over our parental rights to teachers. Yes, parents and teachers should be on the same page but the ultimate responsibility for a child’s behaviour lies with the parents – and if the UN does away with that responsibility, weakening it to the point that it no longer exists; teachers should not be made to feel that they are obligated to assume that responsibility. Everybody would agree that abuse is not punishment. So – why is punishment equated with abuse? They are not the same. The normal family should be left alone to raise their offspring as they see fit – and the abnormal family should be dealt with, however problematic and demanding that may be, without punishing the rest of us.
Tired and ageing CWMH RONNIE CHANG MARTINTAR, NADI FIRSTLY, please allow me to publicly thank Colin Deoki, Australia and Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia – FT May 1, 2026. Thank you Judy Compain for all your honesty, sincere and accuracy in your highlights. They cannot be denied. Opened in December 1923 by Governor Sir Cecil Rodwell at a cost of about £320,000.00, respectfully it cannot be denied the Colonial War Memorial Hospital has “over served” its truly liveable purpose and practical endurance for over 100 faithful and endearing years. Glossy words and eloquent speeches serve no real purpose, especially for all patients, doctors, nurses and support staff. Enough is enough. Sa rauta. E sa oca qai wawale dina na Vale ni Bula levu oqo. Serious planning by true unquestionable professionals are to begin to plan, design and build a brand new 1500-bed hospital, in stages, over the next 12 to 15 years, to take us through to the next century. You cannot keep flogging this century-old medical facility. She is tired and worn out. Let us be respectable adults in the room. Move forward, professionally. Please take a cue from the prestigious Sai facility in Laucala Bay. They have grown and improved remarkably, so soon. They have their Cath Lab. Actions speak louder than words. They serve the poor with huge and remarkable pride and dignity … new leases of life. The new CWMH needs to match and emulate the Sai Foundation. This is my challenge from Nadi. Heartiest congrats Sai Foundation for your awesome and remarkable achievements. Only the rich, powerful and famous can afford the luxuries of our private hospitals. 90 per cent of our population cannot afford such medical luxuries. We must post-humously honour all who served at the CWMH over the past 100 years. A new chapter must unfold in their pride, distinction and honour.
Joint operation to fight drugs, crime SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI, NAUSORI HOW long does Fiji have to wait for the escalation of drug issues, before acting? The Fiji police-military joint operation should have been in force long before, in my view. The Government’s long-standing issue, in my opinion, is always reactive. And I am certain, the root problem is that most leaders who are at the top of the “command chain”, have very minimal idea of the ground realities. However, what bothers me is the human rights’ focus on the wellbeing of the perpetrators, rather than the victims. Fiji is confronting a national threat and has boiled over to a national emergency. The great Lee Kuan Yew said about drugs, “Some believe if we are kind to drug dealers, we will become a better society. One death is too kind. The return is so enormous that it is worth risking. If no one is afraid of me, then I am meaningless”. Is Singapore a failure? If Fiji needs to reach its goal, it can’t achieve it without discipline.
