Divine direction
SO, who is your Issachar?
1 Chronicle 12:32 – “From the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.” (NASB)
When Almighty God gives you wisdom, discernment and direction of what to do next, follow in faith. He will guide you with the divine design, the details of how to lay the foundations, and the resources you need for the project to succeed and come to completion.
And remember this from Psalm 127: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the labourers will build in vain.”
One more thing to bear in mind. You can’t build something that the Lord wants you to build if there are outstanding issues remaining that you haven’t resolved, e.g. fix the issues regarding old age pensioners and the FNPF. Or it’ll become like a millstone around your neck. Get on to it now!
I sense there’s an urgency about this unresolved issue where there’s a possibility that you will not be reminded again.
COLIN DEOKI Australia
Absolute power
PARAGUAY’S ex-president remanded in custody (Reuters/FT 9/11/26) after being “charged with breach of trust and administration for personal gain”. Leaders turning rogue in power has become all too common. Greed seems to get the better of them when in power.
Lord Acton was right when he said power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
We’ve been witnessing that time and again in politics around the world.
RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Yes or no
THE two National Federation Party (NFP) ministers in the Coalition Government are caught between a rock and a hard place. On one side is their loyalty to their party. On the other is their allegiance as Cabinet ministers to the Prime Minister. Thus placing them under extreme duress to freely exercise their constitutional right.
The NFP general secretary has warned that they will face expulsion from the party if they defied the party directive and voted yes to Bill No 32 after its third reading on December 4, 2026 (FT 7/11). I wonder what instructions were issued to both the ministers when they were part of the Cabinet sub-committee that endorsed the draft amendments. NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad was also a member of the joint parliamentary committee hearing submissions from the public until he was recently replaced.
Sashi Kiran has publicly stated that her vote on the Constitution Amendment Bill will be guided by her conscience and whether the final Bill protects the rights and interests of all communities. Pio Tikoduadua is yet to make up his mind on how he would vote as he was still considering his options. NFP has already announced that the party would not support the Bill in its current form. However, it is not very clear as to which provisions they want changed.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has warned that NFP and SODELPA ministers who vote against the Bill at its third reading would have to step down (FT 6/11). Similar threats were also made when NFP did not support the salary increases for MPs. PM knows well that without NFP and SODELPA the two-third threshold required for passing the Bill would not be possible. Unless he has some other strategy up his sleeve.
If the duo voted against the Bill they risk losing their ministerial positions. If they voted yes at least they will retain their parliamentary seats. Either way, it’s a lose-lose situation. Meanwhile their fate hangs in the balance.
SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Aspiring candidates
WE are noticing various political parties slowly releasing their potential candidates to contest in the upcoming general election. It’s nice to see what these candidates have achieved academically and also in their past professional working life. I believe that joining politics, individually one should have:
l people’s popularity;
l will and urge to lead;
l making positive changes in the best interest of the people;
l the art of influencing; and,
l most of all always working in truth, transparency and accountability.
JUKI FONG CHEW Nadawa, Nasinu
Drowning in rubbish
YOUR picture (FT 9/11) of Nasinu Town Council workers standing knee-deep in an open drain surrounded by plastic bottles and other rubbish is an image of hopelessness, of our very life going under the sheer volume of rubbish.
This isn’t the work of a multitude, but the rotten few in each of our small communities who are simply clueless about proper rubbish disposal and keeping a clean environment. They think that whatever they toss away as rubbish will seep into the ground or evaporate into the air.
It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but the proverbial stick does wonders in getting it to change where it litters. Let’s call them out for a start.
SAMU RAILOA Nadi
Character counts
REGISTERED political parties, I am certain, have their own “screening” regarding their candidates for the next general election. By the looks of a few, with all due respect, it seems they made a mockery of Fiji’s election system, in my view. In fact, I believe they possess “unstable” life backgrounds. Even some current MPs, for that matter.
The highest offices require loyalty, administrative capacity and justice, in my opinion. Trust is of character and competence, which I am certain, includes integrity with capability. It is about transforming a nation, not restructuring or restoring, because both the latter are just “survival leadership”, in my opinion. One can have excellent qualifications, but lacks the drive to practically lead and serve, in my view.
To conquer “donkey years” underdeveloped national interests with creative thinking, not just presenting and dwelling on their issues. How long does Fiji have to learn? An additional 50 years? However, I believe it is a public service, balancing constituency and national duty. Above all, prioritising the needs of the people, over personal or party ambitions.
“I am not a smart person, but I can surely read capable colleagues” — Franklin Roosevelt.
SAMU SILATOLU Nakasil
FNPF saga
MANY pensioners must be thanking Shaista Shameem for her enlightening story (FT 9/11) concerning the disgraceful FNPF manipulations of the facts of the injury inflicted upon those who had their pensions cut in 2012 enacted by Decree 51, which added that they would be granted no right to appeal.
Ms Shameem writes: “Decree 51 also imposed restriction on the court for any future action that might be contemplated and filed by others in the same situation.”
That statement surely makes a mockery of the FNPF 60-year celebratory advertisement (FT 7/11) which clearly states: Grow your retirement savings and get rewarded. And adds: Every contribution today helps build a stronger retirement tomorrow.
The pensioners who lost out on their pensions were penalised, not rewarded. Ms Shameem makes it clear that pensions could be stolen in the future, certainly not a commitment to a stronger retirement tomorrow!
In the interests of brevity I suggest that interested parties visit fijipensioners.com to read Ms Shameem’s comment (Fiji National Provident Fund Transition Decree 2011), on Section 11 (6) of Decree 51 which is clear and concise.
Those, including my husband, who lost so much to the FNPF owe thanks to Ms Shameem for her pro bono representation which she is obviously prepared to take up once again on their behalf.
I have no doubt that in this case the truth will, eventually, prevail — hopefully before any more deprived pensioners die.
SUE CAUTY Pacific Harbour
Remember the past
IN 1792, Tipu Sultan’s army massacred over 800 Iyengar Hindus of Melukote, Karnatka State in India on Diwali morning. Since then they have spent Diwali in darkness. Adam Maharaj of NSW tells us to forget the past. “A civilisation that forgets its history is condemned to repeat it.”
RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Murder mysteries
THE Fiji Times reports Fiji stands at a critical security crossroad with 40 to 50 unresolved murder cases in the country laying bare the rampant crime crisis and challenge (FT 9/11/26 ).
I wonder did we ever have a “murder mystery” of this magnitude in colonial Fiji? What’s lacking under our own local leadership?
RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Politicised racism
LIVING amongst our Indian families all my life, I haven’t had any experience to say at least that racism exists. The only place I found racism thrive is on social media where nearly everything is politicised. In my view, racism doesn’t actually exist in our society, but in political circles. Too bad!
PITA SOROAQALI Tavua
Climate change
DURING my recent visit to the Northern Division, I have noticed first hand the dry spell affecting the division. Driving from Nabouwalu, Seaqaqa, Labasa, Coqeloa and to Wainikoro one will notice various burnt areas which are caused by fires. These fires may be caused by inconsiderate individuals, with no care attitude to the dry environment. I am just hoping, God willing, there is continuous rain in these areas so that we can witness the green environment in the Friendly North again.
JUKI FONG CHEW Nadawa, Nasinu
Cashier chairs
A LETTER writer has raised concerns regarding chairs for cashiers. I recall Honourable Rinesh Sharma’s thoughts and suggestions on this humane act. What happened?”
KIRTI PATEL Lautoka
