A man who touched lives
THE late Agni Deo Singh, the former general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union, former national treasurer of the Fiji Trades Union Congress and the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, will be dearly missed by his loved ones as he is cremated this afternoon. His loving and caring nature, his humility and down-to-earth demeanour, touched the professional and personal lives of many Fijians. Singh’s journey is an inspiration, especially his dedication and unwavering commitment to becoming the voice of the voiceless. Before becoming FTU’s general secretary, he rose through the ranks as a teacher and administrator and then became the voice of teachers in national discussions. He challenged policies when he believed teachers were treated unfairly. He did not fear defending the professional status of educators and remained committed to elevating the status of education in Fiji. When he entered Parliament and became a minister, he carried with him a load of responsibilities, but his decades of trade union experience helped him. He addressed matters affecting workers, such as employment relations, their working conditions, productivity, labour standards and the broader relationship between workers, employers and Government. He dedicated his life to the service of others. He was a true son of Fiji, and the nation has lost a dedicated leader and public servant. His contribution to the Coalition Government and the trade union sector will not be forgotten. As his assistant at FTU, I thank him for nurturing me and molding me into a bold unionist. I learned so much from him. Thank you for your service to FTU, FTUC and our beloved nation! Until that glorious morning, rest high dear Mama Ji! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
War crimes
WE read in “UN Fact-Finding Mission Finds Evidence US Committed War Crimes in Iran” in two attacks that killed at least 177 civilians — many of them children (Democracy Now! 18/9/26). Experts commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council cited US strikes on a school in Minaj and a sports complex in Lamerd, noting “… the mission found reasonable grounds to believe the US committed the war crime of launching indiscriminate attacks resulting in the loss of life or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects”. Such collateral damage has always been a part of US military campaigns. Historical accounts of the My Lai Massacre which took place on March 16, 1968 records that between 374 and 504 civilians were killed. Nothing is likely to come out of this latest UN finding on American war atrocities. But at least the truth regarding them has been exposed. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Vehicles and accidents
RELIABLE information readily available reveals that Western Viti Levu has as many as 95,000 registered vehicles. Similar information states that we have some 120,000 registered drivers. Recent revelation by police says there are only 8 designated police traffic officers for West Viti Levu. Did I hear wrong? If so, I apologise, publicly. Will the minister responsible and the Commissioner for Police shed some light into these disturbing numbers? Something is not right, if the stats are correct. The West is almost always blamed for poor roads and fatal accidents. A major overhaul of road traffic enforcement, with more officers available, is warranted with the utmost urgency. Why should the Central Division enjoy superior oversight of road traffic management? Why? Can such “bias” be easily fixed? Christmas 2026 slowly beckons. The West already has far too many vehicles on its limited road network. There is no foreseeable cap for the number of registered vehicles. There is little or no control. Am I wrong? If so, I stand to be corrected. West Viti Levu also deserves far better. It is a major contributor to Fiji’s economy. My views are shared out of genuine concern, and with the utmost respect. RONNIE CHANG Nadi
Great minds, big growth
RAKESH Chand Sharma, the self-appointed unofficial spokesman for the Modi government in India, said in his letter “Great minds, big growth” (FT 4/9/26) that “India’s real GDP grew by 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27 beating expectations”. I was awestruck by India’s phenomenal growth. That is, until, by chance, I came across “GDP numbers say India is thriving, is it? Let Me Explain 160/Pooja Prasanna” on You Tube. Pooja Prasanna, The News Minute Editorial Head for reporting, with special focus on politics and social justice, provides a critical analysis to explain the GDP “manipulated numbers” as “complete work of fiction”. Citing experts, she contends “the government’s data itself is dubious and holds low credibility”. After listening to her empirical explanation, I am left wondering if RCS had swallowed the Modi Government’s spin — hook, line and sinker! RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Rest high! Qase
I was heartbroken when I learnt that I had lost a sports colleague and a person whom I called Qase. Jerry Tuwai’s father, Poasa Vunisa, was a proud person who celebrated the achievements of Tuwai. He never hesitated to talk about Tuwai to those who visited him at his place. He was loved and adored by residents of Balgovind Rd in Nadawa. I remember visiting the family home when Tuwai won the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games gold medal and the Melrose Cup from South Africa in 2022. What a moment it was as we shared tears of joy! The late Vunisa had so much respect for his son who taught them so many life lessons. Isa Qase, we will never meet again but your memories will linger in my heart forever. Rest high, Qase! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Rotten apples
CHIEF Justice Salesi Temo warns of “rotten apples” in the judiciary. He says “in any organisation there’s always the rotten apples”. True. In post coup Fiji society, the supply of rotten apples has risen quite dramatically. We got a snapshot of that from the recent Commission of Inquiry findings. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
A leaf out of SA rugby
AS our boys battled Japan’s Brave Blossoms in the final of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, the Fiji Water Flying Fijians team management must take a leaf out of South African rugby. Heading to the last round of the Nations Championship and the 2027 RWC 15s, they must make use of set piece play and develop a robust set of forwards who can lay the platform for the backline to strike. This is an area that South African head coach Rassie Erasmus has utilised and it is paying dividends. He used that to outplay the All Blacks and win the “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” tour, beating the All Blacks three-in-a-row, 33-26, 29-24 and 43-28. Erasmus is a genius — his “bomb squad” concept made South Africa a powerhouse. The Flying Fijians have capable forwards who can take on this task. The ability of the Springboks to win the battle in set pieces and turn pressure into points is tactical and class, and this approach must be utilised by Fiji. South Africa’s physical approach and powerful maul are vital in their attacking arsenal and have made them dominate 15s rugby, and if the Flying Fijians management can get that finetuned, we’d be smiling. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Effective leadership
Fiji’s national challenges require effective leadership, sound policy and sustained action — not constitutional reform alone. We are apparently expected to believe that the proposed new Constitution is the cure for every problem confronting Fiji. Once it is promulgated by Christmas, are HIV, drug abuse, domestic violence, crime and poverty all supposed to disappear overnight — as though a legal document alone can erase deep-rooted social and economic failures? Yet this seems to be the prevailing fantasy among those occupying the nation’s highest offices — across government, the GCC and even among ordinary people: that constitutional change can substitute for serious leadership, sound policy and sustained action. As I keep saying, the people of Fiji must be truly blessed — if only the country’s gravest problems could be solved so effortlessly. JAN NISSAR Sydney, Australia
Rag tag deal
IT is ironical that Trump’s USA makes a deal with Houthis “rag tag” army but threatens to impose a 100 per cent tariff on India and China for buying Russian oil. US buys Russian uranium. Even contradictions have limits. Russia has cut off oil and gas to Europe making Europeans go through a very cold winter this year. Europeans supply weapons to Ukraine. They “cannot keep their cake and eat it as well”. Every time people hear someone visiting Phuket, they burst out in laughter. RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Crown without a realm
IT has now been over 55 years of Fiji’s democratic rule as an “independent” state. Is Fiji sovereign? What exactly is sovereignty? One major hurdle for Fiji’s leadership, I believe, has been the people’s trust. In fact, Fiji hasn’t experienced meaningful and true sovereignty as it is supposed to. It has been led to become more “dependent” on its foreign partners and, in my view, has become compliant, predictable and manageable. Just like a “slave” — ruled by fear, easily broken, easily bought and easily ruled. One who chooses safety and buries his capable instincts beneath polite compliance. Nods along to things he despises and swallows his truth to keep his seat at a comfortable table. Even mistakes surrender for virtue and cowardice for kindness. Above all, lives on permanent probation, asking permission for his own existence. Safe, predictable and completely disarmed. And I am certain Fiji’s sovereignty is only decoration, a “crown” without a realm. Until Fiji secures its “ownership”, it is still a refugee within. True leadership, I believe, is not possession, not rule, but sovereignty. The great Lee Kuan Yew declared and demonstrated as much. To be or not to be? SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi, Nausori
