Bula Boys Await Vanuatu – Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
The Bula Boys put aside the disappointments from their first two matches in the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup competition to book a spot in the final. The Bula Boys were held 3-3 by the Solomon Islands. They led 3-1 but the visitors scored two late goals to snatch a draw. In their second match, the Bula Boys lost 1-0 to Vanuatu but bounced back to beat PNG and New Caledonia 2-0 and 2-1, respectively. They have found their mojo and momentum, and I am confident that they will maintain their fighting spirit and character against Vanuatu. It’s time for revenge against the defending champions who will look up to the likes of Bill Kaltack, John Alick, Tony Kaltak, Kaltfer Kaltak, Andrew Malakai, Jayson Bule, Joe Moses, Edward Roqara and the evergreen Azariah Soromon who has been one of their standout players. The Bula Boys have a good chance of beating Vanuatu. I’m hopeful that a huge crowd will turn up to support the boys. For the Bula Boys, the likes of Ryan Naresh, Sonny Logaivau, the inspirational Roy Krishna, veteran Tevita Waranivalu, Thomas Dunn, Scott Wara, Sterling Vasconcellos and young upcoming star Maikah Dau must lead by example and bind the boys to win the cup. It’s now or never for the Bula Boys. Tovolea mada!
Literacy and libraries – Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Sarita Lal writing in The Fiji Times on “Library books” (FT 17/9) reminds us about the importance of reading and writing when our parents used to guide us home in our mother tongue.
Now parents and teachers are urged to take care of this, not by mobile phones.
It’s encouraging to see some school libraries flooded with books for children and the community but at times it’s not used as expected. It looks like books are reading the children!
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only once”.
Flour, exhibits and rats – Peceli Alistir Waitolu, Naitasiri
I used to fancy reading the cartoon character, Mr T. How he appeared and beats up drug dealers. But recently, Mr T pointed at the judiciary for not keeping an eye on all the drugs held in the Exhibit Room of the High Court in Suva. Fifty-three kilograms of cocaine, gone! Mr T is out chasing 6 individuals while asking 37 people on the way.
I applaud the statement that “discussions were underway on security arrangements” regarding this issue. But by the way, how clean is the Exhibit Room and how free is it from rodents?
I amused myself reading this news, thank you The Fiji Times for updating the public. At one point, I blamed the rats crawling under our feet in the cities, who are fed up with consuming flour, and are using the Exhibit Room of the High Court as their storage facility. Otherwise, it’s just pure miracle, cocaine turned into flour. How are the cocaine and methamphetamine in the Exhibits strangely turned to flour when brought up to the judge, is a miracle; to solve the mystery.
And meanwhile; someone from the Maximum Prison complex blew the trumpet of drugs and funds disappearance from the Lautoka Registry too (FT 02/10). What’s going on in the cities?
Mr T, you stick to the chase, I’ll keep an eye for the rats.
Child safety – Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
The Fiji Times editor-in-chief’s empowering message for drivers, pedestrians, parents and authorities requests for safety of children as they travel.
Accidents do happen but it shouldn’t happen if all of us take responsibility with extreme care. Let’s not repent afterwards. Pray for safety and safe return as we travel. We all look forward to safe festive seasons with extreme care.
Go safe-move safe-leave safe-home safe.
What happened – Ben Hazelman Statham St, Suva Point
Here is how it all unfolded. What a couple of weeks journey it has been, two weeks ago, felt dizzy, two Saturday’s ago, thought it was the flu, but as the week went by just felt weak, by Sunday, Father’s day after breakfast, when I stood up, had a kinda blackout feeling, so headed straight for the medical centre, where all the vitals were taken, and was put on the ECG machine, after the print out, came out, the doctor said I had to go get blood tests.
Shot straight to the Oceania, and had this done, then on Monday, was advised to go get chest X-rays.
Feeling very uncomfortable, I returned to the medical centre, for a review, now although the nurse doing my ECG, did not say much, the expression on her face said it all, so it was back to the lady doctor, who by now was on the phone, feeling very uncomfortable, in not knowing what was going on, I asked her, what’s wrong, here she revealed that the normal heart beat was minimum 60, but mine was down to 30.
So she asked how I came, and I should arrange for my car to be picked up as I have to be transferred to CWMH by ambulance, where I actually experienced deaths and resuscitation, it was a long wait in the wheel chair, but it made me appreciate the roles of the doctors, nurses, the cleaners, the security, I salute you all for your patience, and dedication, under limited circumstances.
After about an hour’s wait in a wheelchair, I was allocated a bed, to which I took a nice nap, and despite the business of ED, the nurses were very pleasant, and obliging to take that extra mile.
Come Wednesday, morning the doctors rounds, still no improvement in heart beat, then was visited by head of cardiology, who assured me that currently there was a team from New Zealand, here on their annual visit, and they would try to squeeze me in. In saying that, after a couple of hours was visited by one member of the NZ team, who briefed me of them putting a pace maker into me. So, it was into the theatre around 3pm, another briefing, then onto the table, with a team of jovial surgeons, this took around 15 minutes, and all was done, then up to CCU for recovery. And after morning review, doctors will determine status. Now I have a pacemaker, which visiting doctors will review on their 6-monthly visit.
I write this short experience, which has been a life saving one, mainly, because some of us tend to look down on our public health, but when you consider, from being diognosed, on Sunday, to having a pacemaker put on, on Wednesday, and being discharged on Thursday, our health system is second to none.
In conclusion, thank you one and all who made this life saving experience possible.
Missing drugs – Jan Nissar Sydney, NSW, Australia
I suspect that the illicit drugs recently reported missing from the High Court facility may have disappeared some time ago. I also suspect that senior officials may have known about the matter for a while before it became public.
Of course, in Fiji, whenever a scandal erupts, responsibility is invariably shifted elsewhere.
Those found responsible should now be held accountable and dismissed.
Then again, this being Fiji, they may simply be reappointed in the new year. Problem solved.
Electricity supply – Noleen Billings Savusavu
Residents along Nukubalavu Road in Savusavu, particularly beyond Rava Estate towards Nukubalavu Village, are facing a serious electricity problem.
People have built new homes but are unable to connect to the grid because the existing supply is reportedly inadequate to meet the growing demand.
Residents understand that additional infrastructure, including a transformer around Rava, is urgently needed to strengthen supply further along Nukubalavu Road. If that assessment is incorrect, then EFL should inspect the area and explain what infrastructure is actually required. The problem is not limited to new connections.
Residents monitoring their electricity supply report that voltage frequently fails to reach 240 volts and, at times, has dropped to levels as low as 170 volts. This is extremely concerning.
Residents are also reporting damage to electrical appliances and equipment, raising serious questions about the quality and stability of the electricity being supplied to existing customers.
If EFL disputes these readings, then it should conduct proper voltage monitoring along the affected section of Nukubalavu Road and make the results known.
The timing makes the situation even more concerning. Nukubalavu Road is being sealed and upgraded as we write. Improved access will inevitably encourage further residential development and investment in the area. Yet the electricity infrastructure is already struggling to support the people who live there now.
There is little sense in upgrading roads and encouraging development if an essential service such as electricity cannot keep pace.
What is also unreasonable is the suggestion that residents should write to EFL requesting a transformer. Ordinary householders are not electrical engineers.
They cannot be expected to determine whether the problem requires a transformer, additional phases, upgraded lines or some other technical solution.
That is EFL’s responsibility. EFL has the expertise, the network information and the responsibility to monitor demand, maintain acceptable supply and upgrade its infrastructure as communities grow.
Residents should apply for electricity connections to their individual homes. But they should not have to diagnose deficiencies in EFL’s network before EFL acts.
Savusavu is growing. Nukubalavu Road is developing. New homes are being built, and the road upgrade is likely to accelerate that growth.
The electricity network must grow with it.
EFL should urgently assess the network from Rava Estate towards Nukubalavu Village, investigate the reported voltage fluctuations, determine what infrastructure upgrades are required and provide residents with a clear timeframe for action.
Government, as EFL’s majority shareholder, and its other shareholders should also be concerned that while one form of development is progressing, a fundamental service needed to support that development is falling behind.
EFL should not wait for residents to tell it what infrastructure it needs. EFL should already know.
Element of surprise – Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Will the Fiji Bati demonstrate a strong outing in the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup? For now, injuries to some key players have affected the team’s preparations, but this is a chance for some new players to rise to the occasion. All the best to our Fiji Bati side as they prepare for World Cup duties and may they use the element of surprise to their advantage.
Give it to CWMH – Kiran Khatri Samabula, Suva
If you have $20,000 lying around to donate to a political party, please donate to CWMH instead. Save a life. Don’t pay for advertising.
Kava quality – Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Agriculture Minister, Tomasi Tunabuna’s positive move towards the yaqona industry with stronger regulation and quality control should be welcomed. Today, when you pound dried ‘waka’ at home, it doesn’t give the same aroma like it did in the 1980s and 1990s. Also, you get a wet smell as if it is a “kasa mix”. Even the famous Savusavu waka has lost its prestige. Many evenings end up in disappointment because of poor quality ‘grog’. My cousin, after having a bilo, would look up to me with a sullen face and say, “we have to manage!”.
Cocaine mystery – Sukha Singh Labasa
First mystery is how was the cocaine brought in without detection? Now let us see how and who all are allowed to enter the exhibit room. Who is in charge of the security cameras? How many times is the security footage viewed? Whoever stole the cocaine packets must have taken it packet by packet. He or she would have brought one kg flour at a time and taken one packet per entry. The main mystery is where are the drugs now?
Dying young – Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
I believe it is not only police officers dying at a younger age due to NCD. It is the population as a whole where we have been witnessing people dying young. We cannot blame the food, lack of exercise or other issues, I believe it is the mindset of each individual to look after one self and we continue to seek spiritual guidance at all times.
Where the buck stops? – Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
On the issue of the disappearance of cocaine from State custody which has even made it in international news (SBS News 1/10), where does the buck stop?
The Brave Plumber – Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
The world applauded the courageous act of plumber Yaniv Hayun who helped subdue a flight attacker and pull the FlyDubai Flight 1073 out of dive.
I saw the video of the Tel Aviv flight passengers who recounted the harrowing moments during mid-air attack, and it was scary. Hayun shared his side of the story. I salute him for gaining courage during the ordeal to prevent a nasty outcome. Hayun shared (ABC News) that he and the other passengers knew there was an attack occurring because a woman screamed ‘stabbing’ and the plane shook hard.
Reports surfaced that Hayun and a group of other passengers aboard the flight were able to get into the cockpit after an unidentified pilot stabbed the co-pilot, Capt. Smit Machchhar and took control of the plane.
The suspect allegedly plummeted the plane, attempting to crash it and kill everyone aboard.
The picture of Hayun, who had blood on his shirt from the encounter, has gone viral as the world applauds his bravery at a time when others would not have reacted that way!
Drugs exhibit – Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
In recent days, we have noted a lot of unexpected happenings were highlighted in the media.
Various commentators had their opinions/ideas and views on why it happened, who are the suspects, where was the security and the blame game continues.
Moving forward, let the investigation take its course and let’s wait for the outcome.
Leadership style – Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Good leadership puts people first (Vanuatu Daily Post 1/10/26). So what does bad leadership do? Leaders put themselves first.
We are familiar with the latter in post coup Fiji.
The best example of this is parliamentarians giving themselves a 138 per cent pay rise and additional perks when half the population is languishing in grinding poverty.
Shade before the bell – Swaansh Mahat Kathmandu, Nepal
Students can spend more time waiting outside school than adults realise. They arrive before gates open, wait for buses after class, stand around during pickup and gather outside for activities.
Schools should look at those waiting spaces as part of student wellbeing.
Is there enough shade? Is drinking water available before students leave? Is there somewhere safe to wait when heavy rain starts suddenly?
These questions sound basic because they are basic. That is why they are easy to overlook.
Fiji’s schools already deal with strong sun, rain and changing weather as part of ordinary life. A classroom can be comfortable while the place just outside it is not.
A simple walk around the school at arrival and dismissal time can reveal problems that are invisible during a normal inspection.
Student safety should not begin when the bell rings and end when it rings again. The waiting time counts too.
Those questions – Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Former PM and FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry wants an “independent inquiry” and regular The Fiji Times LTE writer Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam wants a “thorough investigation” into how a vast quantity of cocaine disappeared from High Court custody and got replaced by flour?
Good luck with that.
What happened with the thorough, independent inquiry carried out by the recent Commission of Inquiry?
Holding public office holders responsible and accountable for their actions or failure to act is an intrinsic undertaking in a true democracy.
Post coup Fiji is no longer that kind of democracy. I believe in today’s Fiji things tend to get swept under the carpet where big shots are implicated. The ordinary Fijian people know this all too well.
Missing drugs – Kirti Patel Lautoka
The disappearance and tampering of cocaine exhibits from the High Court in Suva is a very embarrassing situation for the country. What makes it more embarrassing is the type of statements coming out. “This is not the first time this has happened”, “we are trying our best”, “the judiciary is to be shouldering the blame”.
Our people know all this. They know this is not the first time and where the blame lies. When it becomes an ugly situation, the curiosity increases to another level. The questions become more intense as the lack of security for both the stolen drugs and the people becomes evident. It is not a toy missing from someone’s house, it is cocaine worth millions missing from the place supposedly considered the safest. Sadly, that place is not safe anymore.
People are understandably going to ask and raise concerns as they have started to panic. Security is the most important factor which has shown to be lacking big time, can they be blamed? Imagine them getting the assurance that “this is not the first time?”
How about stating “this will be the last time”.
What is being stated to the disturbed, curious and frustrated citizens helps towards solutions as calmness flows.
We know our law enforcers are trying their best yet such actions are being repeated. Maybe they are not trying hard enough or simply need a major change of approach. If not, the questions remain, how did it happen?
The problem in Fiji is we wait for something to happen followed by actions. On the first incident of missing drugs, security should have been arranged at the court house. Now the Totogo police have started guarding the area after the damage is done. Well, that’s a positive step but something that should have been done on the spot.
Will that really make a difference taking into consideration the type of place being provided with the security?
What about those six people of interest? It’s not just the investigation in this matter, rather the severity of it reveals a lot. We are discussing a serious drugs escalation and missing exhibits here, from which the security of our nation can be determined.
Let’s take it seriously. Let’s do it right.
Shaping Young Lives
“Education begins long before a child enters a primary school classroom. It begins with creating a place where children feel they belong.”
These inspirational and powerful words were shared by Etina Havea Kindergarten head teacher Vaseva Nailaba whose story was shared by Alifereti Sakiasi (FT: 02/10) via the People column.
Via her motivational story, Nailaba shared her vision which was to create a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment where every child felt loved and excited to learn.
I commend Nailaba for the love and affection that she has been showering to the kids who go through her doors.
She was inspired by her family, experience and the belief that the earliest years of a child’s life lay the foundation for everything that followed.
I believe that the journey she took as an educator made her the woman, she is today, offering a kind, loving and caring environment.
Despite the challenges that she faces, she has not lost her focus for every child to feel safe, loved, included, and excited about learning.
As Nailaba plants the seeds of learning, I wish her all the best in her quest to provide the best for the kids under her care.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Customer services
In Fiji, customer services,
seems like a misunderstood notion,
for some businesses,
in our small island nation.
However, the customers
are indirectly paying the wages,
of those workers,
in these “high and mighty” places.
Maybe, they don’t understand that,
or just choose to brush it aside
and acting with a superiority complex,
while the customer’s line goes right outside!
Edward Blakelock Admirals Circle, Pacific Harbour
Pre-Conference of Parties
The 31st Pre-Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) ministerial meeting and Leaders’ meetings in Nadi will bring hundreds of delegates from across the Pacific and beyond, in the coming week.
Multiple discussions and deliberations around climate will take place at Wailoaloa and Denarau. One can only imagine the level of traffic jam.
At the end of it, let us hope that the outcomes solidify the Pacific regions’ ambitions and positions prior to the main Conference of Parties Meeting in November in Turkey.
For Pacific communities, what does mean for men for men, women and children who have to deal with the adverse impact of climate change.
Only time will tell built for now there is hope to successful meetings leading to meaningful actions.
Floyd Robinson Micronesia
United party
The NFP is not only the oldest party in the country, but they are the most united party as well. Even though the leader of the party is going through the courts with charges hanging over his head, the membership is right behind the leader. Now that is unity.
The NFP is united in supporting the PM and the Coalition Government, come what may. That is a test of its strength and endurance in the face of adversity. They are not in denial and have full confidence that they are serving the people who elected them well. In a now free country, I am sure its members in parliament will be free to vote as they wish in respect of the changes to the Constitution.
It is obvious from where I am that the members of NFP who are serving in parliament are not there for self-serving or self-preservation purposes, they are there for the greater good of the country. And they will confirm the country has done very well in the last four years with them being part of the coalition – just ask them.
That says a lot about the true character of the people who are serving in the NFP and I believe they deserve another chance to complete their unfinished business.
Jan Nissar Sydney, NSW, Australia
Free sterile syringes!
So, free sterile syringes for drug use, in the intention to reduce HIV infection! “Seriously!”. I fully recognise that Fiji is facing a serious HIV crisis and that sharing contaminated needles and syringes can contribute to the transmission of HIV. However, I struggle to understand why the answer to an escalating illegal drug problem should include the Government providing sterile needles and syringes to people who inject drugs, according to the recent bills passed in parliament.
The United States has operated syringe-services programs for many years. Yet some jurisdictions with serious drug problems also have very high overdose mortality. In 2023, West Virginia recorded the highest drug-overdose death rate among US states, at 81.9 deaths per 100,000 people, while the District of Columbia recorded 60.7 per 100,000.
The syringe itself is not the drug, and I acknowledge the Government’s position that the program is intended to reduce HIV transmission rather than legalise drug use. But we should also be honest about what the syringe is being provided for: injecting drugs. This raises a difficult question for our nation — are we reducing the consequences of drug use, or are we at risk of making continued drug use safer and easier?
Government has said that the program will include counselling, HIV prevention, safe disposal and referrals to treatment and rehabilitation. I welcome those components. But rehabilitation and recovery should remain at the centre of Fiji’s response to drug addiction.
How many people receiving sterile syringes will subsequently enter rehabilitation? How many will successfully complete treatment? How many will stop injecting drugs? How many syringes will be safely returned? And, most importantly, will the number of people injecting drugs actually decrease?
Fiji has a responsibility to protect people from HIV, but it also has a responsibility to protect our children and communities from the devastating effects of drug addiction. We should therefore be careful that a policy intended to reduce the health consequences of drug use does not become, in practice, a mechanism that accommodates continued drug injection. While we are planning to tackle one problem, we are equipping the other indirectly and strongly.
My concern is not about denying healthcare to anyone. Every person affected by HIV or drug addiction deserves dignity, medical care and an opportunity to recover. My concern is about the direction of public policy.
If the Government is going to distribute sterile injecting equipment, then I believe there must be equally strong — if not stronger — investment in preventing drug use, stopping traffickers and suppliers, treating addiction, providing rehabilitation and keeping young people away from drugs in the first place, while ensuring that these efforts are carried out with respect for the rights, boundaries, privacy and personal space of others, without overstepping or disrespecting the lawful space of individuals and communities.
The Government should be careful while “they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
Thus sayeth The Lord.
Peceli Alistir Waitolu, Naitasiri
Hero captain
It is a fact, in both Daily Telegraph reports (FT 02/10), Sub Captain Smit Machchhar’s name is only once mentioned when passengers thank heroes who subdued the rogue co-pilot who had attacked Captain Machchhar.
I believe that if the flight had crashed, the Western media would have splashed the news that the Captain was an Indian (Hindu). Today, in the US, where the Indians are being vilified speak about the bravery of Captain Smit Machchhar.
The scenario reminds me of Sub-Inspector Tukaram Omble, who was killed during the 2008 Mumbai Terrorist attacks. Omble was shot 32 times at point blank range, but kept on holding Mohammed Ajmal Kasab until his police team arrived and captured him. Kasab was the sole surviving terrorist.
All terrorists had come from Pakistan and were wearing Hindu “kalava”, (a sacred red and yellow cotton thread tied around the wrist). The then Congress Government tried to portray the terrorist attack as “Hindu Terror”. Prof. R Vaidyanathan, a senior Home Affairs Officer in 2008 relates how the Home Minister then delayed the deployment of Indian Security Forces when the attack was underway in Mumbai. 166 people were killed.
It was God’s will that Captain Machchhar survived to tell his story. If not, there would have been far reaching geopolitical consequences arising out of this incident.
Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
An African proverb
Here’s sharing an African proverb which goes something like this: “People visit the rich bearing gifts; But they visit the poor with advice.”
How true!
The poorer betrayed senior FNPF pensioners are subjected to long drawn out interpretations of “the law” hatched by the former Fiji First government headed their extremely heavy-handed, ruthlessly cruel leaders in FB and ASK. They clearly lacked empathy and compassion towards the poorer elderly in their twilight years.
They denied us our daily bread, comfort and monthly medical prescriptions, 14 painful years and counting. FNPF insolvency has never been proven. Have I inadvertently erred? A nice fictitious, uncaring and heartless script.
(Do unto others as you would have them do unto you – Golden Rule – Matthew 7:12 & Luke 6:31).
Please take heed. Justice has long arms. It will reach you some sweet day, when you least expect it….. in this life or the next. This is guaranteed. Victory will be ours in the very end.
This is all about betraying humanity. Divine Justice is Supreme.
Ronnie Chang Nadi
