Scarred hillside
CAN the honourable Minister for Local Government and the iTaukei Land Trust Board inform Delainavesi and Lami residents, and the people of Fiji, about the current state of this scarred hillside development in Delainavesi, Lami. Many months ago, when this issue was raised, they didn’t bother responding at all. However, the issue has remained unresolved, and I believe will obviously be included in the list of cases to be handed over to the next government like so many similar issues out there.
SAVERIO BALEIKANACEA
Delainavesi, Lami
CAN the honourable Minister for Local Government and the iTaukei Land Trust Board inform Delainavesi and Lami residents, and the people of Fiji, about the current state of this scarred hillside development in Delainavesi, Lami. Many months ago, when this issue was raised, they didn’t bother responding at all. However, the issue has remained unresolved, and I believe will obviously be included in the list of cases to be handed over to the next government like so many similar issues out there.
SAVERIO BALEIKANACEA
Delainavesi, Lami
Ra awaits Nadroga!
HISTORY beckons for Ra as they await Nadroga this Saturday at the Narauyaba Sports Ground. The Fiji Times posted a picture of the hard surface which looked dried. No offence to the hosts but a match of such prestige deserved Ba’s Govind Park. The prolonged dry conditions in the West have made the ground hard. Ra created history on Saturday as they defeated defending INKK Farebrother Sullivan Trophy holders Naitasiri 32-27. The dramatic match went right to the death as Niumai Rokociri scored the match-winning try in the 85th minute. Both teams dazzled the crowd with exciting, fast-paced rugby and brutal hits. The match was locked 20-all at half-time. Navitalai Rabura, Livai Koro, Rusiate Ramotiqa, Alipate Naura, Peni Matawalu and substitute Rokociri stood out for the Sireli Bobo-coached Ra outfit who played like men possessed with fire and hunger in their bellies. Ra’s discipline, hunger to win, teamwork, determination and playing for their province gave them the edge over the Highlanders. Saturday’s cracker is going to be a massive game for both sides. Nadroga, after winning the Skipper Cup, will want the coveted silverware in their trophy cabinet but they’ll face a resilient and determined Ra side on a hard surface. Hakwa Nadro!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Nadawa, Nasinu
Nadawa, Nasinu
Rebranding police
SPEAKING in support of the Fiji Police Act 2026 in Parliament, the former A-G Siromi Turaga said the new legislation was necessary to assist police officers to perform their duties effectively (FT9/11). Citing rising incidence of home invasions, phone hacking, ATM fraud and unresolved murder cases, he stressed the need for stronger investigation powers to tackle sophisticated crimes. But what about the crimes committed by the police officers? I believe strengthening the laws is one thing. Its efficient enforcement is quite another. How can the public be assured that the new powers will not be abused or weaponized to justify excessive or unreasonable force? In order to regain public trust, the Fiji Police Force needs to first clean its house. There are rogue elements whose conduct will continue to bring disrepute to the organization. Because of their ill doings the whole Force gets tarred with the same brush. Therefore, a damage control exercise is necessary to negate the adverse public perception of its image. The legislative reform presents an ideal opportunity to transform the Force into a service oriented organisation by rebranding its name to Fiji Police Service. A more appealing uniform will blend well with the rein vented look. The change in service culture must be characterized in the way the police officers carry out their duties and responsibilities. People seeking their assistance must feel welcome when they walk into a police station. Otherwise, it will be just putting old wine into a new bottle.
SELWA NANDAN
Lautoka
SPEAKING in support of the Fiji Police Act 2026 in Parliament, the former A-G Siromi Turaga said the new legislation was necessary to assist police officers to perform their duties effectively (FT9/11). Citing rising incidence of home invasions, phone hacking, ATM fraud and unresolved murder cases, he stressed the need for stronger investigation powers to tackle sophisticated crimes. But what about the crimes committed by the police officers? I believe strengthening the laws is one thing. Its efficient enforcement is quite another. How can the public be assured that the new powers will not be abused or weaponized to justify excessive or unreasonable force? In order to regain public trust, the Fiji Police Force needs to first clean its house. There are rogue elements whose conduct will continue to bring disrepute to the organization. Because of their ill doings the whole Force gets tarred with the same brush. Therefore, a damage control exercise is necessary to negate the adverse public perception of its image. The legislative reform presents an ideal opportunity to transform the Force into a service oriented organisation by rebranding its name to Fiji Police Service. A more appealing uniform will blend well with the rein vented look. The change in service culture must be characterized in the way the police officers carry out their duties and responsibilities. People seeking their assistance must feel welcome when they walk into a police station. Otherwise, it will be just putting old wine into a new bottle.
SELWA NANDAN
Lautoka
Justice
delayed
THE wheels of justice in Fiji are turning far too slowly when it comes to high-profile deaths in custody. While the public acknowledges that charges have finally been laid against suspended officers in the tragic case of PC Peniasi Racagi, they remain unproven in court as we await a trial. Justice must not only be done, but it must also be done swiftly. Meanwhile, the investigation into the death of Jone Vakarisi remains painfully stalled with no charges laid, despite institutional admissions of fault. Why are these critical processes moving at a snail’s pace? When investigations lag and trials are drawn out; it chips away at public trust. Where is the transparency and accountability? The Fiji Police Force and the justice system must speed up their work. Fiji cannot move forward if the public is left feeling that certain units or individuals receive favourable delays. We deserve answers and swift action.
PAULA KALOUKOCEI
Levuka, Ovalau
delayed
THE wheels of justice in Fiji are turning far too slowly when it comes to high-profile deaths in custody. While the public acknowledges that charges have finally been laid against suspended officers in the tragic case of PC Peniasi Racagi, they remain unproven in court as we await a trial. Justice must not only be done, but it must also be done swiftly. Meanwhile, the investigation into the death of Jone Vakarisi remains painfully stalled with no charges laid, despite institutional admissions of fault. Why are these critical processes moving at a snail’s pace? When investigations lag and trials are drawn out; it chips away at public trust. Where is the transparency and accountability? The Fiji Police Force and the justice system must speed up their work. Fiji cannot move forward if the public is left feeling that certain units or individuals receive favourable delays. We deserve answers and swift action.
PAULA KALOUKOCEI
Levuka, Ovalau
Shopping choice
SMOKERS asking for “cancer”, or “unborn”, and the shopkeeper or cashier obliges. You watch in shock. How did we reach here? The surprising thing is that this is no longer surprising.
DONALD SINGH
Nausori
SMOKERS asking for “cancer”, or “unborn”, and the shopkeeper or cashier obliges. You watch in shock. How did we reach here? The surprising thing is that this is no longer surprising.
DONALD SINGH
Nausori
Proactive, reactive
WARNINGS and reports about the development of the 2026 Super El Nino began taking shape back in June. The World Meteorological Organization also formally declared the onset of the event. I would like to ask a question to the Prime Minister and all the members of Government. In the past five months, what practical steps has the Fiji Government taken to prepare for the severe side effects of this Super El Nino? Ieagerly await your response(s). Sobo!
WISE MUAVONO
Balawa, Lautoka
WARNINGS and reports about the development of the 2026 Super El Nino began taking shape back in June. The World Meteorological Organization also formally declared the onset of the event. I would like to ask a question to the Prime Minister and all the members of Government. In the past five months, what practical steps has the Fiji Government taken to prepare for the severe side effects of this Super El Nino? Ieagerly await your response(s). Sobo!
WISE MUAVONO
Balawa, Lautoka
Immunity clause
IF Fiji chooses not to erase the immunity clause from the proposed Constitution, I believe it will continue to violate the fundamental principles of equality and placing certain individuals and political actors above the law.
AREKI DAWAI
Suva
IF Fiji chooses not to erase the immunity clause from the proposed Constitution, I believe it will continue to violate the fundamental principles of equality and placing certain individuals and political actors above the law.
AREKI DAWAI
Suva
Final equalizer
ALL our final destiny is the cemetery whereby it is described as the final resting place. Here you will see the final equaliser. The powerful and the powerless, all under the same soil. Only two things remain, the memory you left behind, and the regrets you carried with you.
JUKI FONG CHEW
Nadawa, Nasinu
ALL our final destiny is the cemetery whereby it is described as the final resting place. Here you will see the final equaliser. The powerful and the powerless, all under the same soil. Only two things remain, the memory you left behind, and the regrets you carried with you.
JUKI FONG CHEW
Nadawa, Nasinu
Israel ties
PIF defends Israel ties amid criticism (RNZ / FT 10/11/26). I believe it’s a case of defending the indefensible. See imminent Pacific media academic Professor David Robbie’s solid condemnation of the ties as reported in The Fiji Times.
RAJEND NAIDU
Sydney, Australia
PIF defends Israel ties amid criticism (RNZ / FT 10/11/26). I believe it’s a case of defending the indefensible. See imminent Pacific media academic Professor David Robbie’s solid condemnation of the ties as reported in The Fiji Times.
RAJEND NAIDU
Sydney, Australia
Rugby status
THE deficit of 37 points after France demolished Fiji seemed unreal, in my view. When over 90 per cent of the players have been engaged with professional rugby clubs overseas, I still could not believe the scoreline. What was the downfall? Fitness, quality, complacency or coaching? Why has Fiji’s rugby always had inconsistent results? In one match, it could be on par with any top world rugby team and then, unbelievably, deteriorated in the next. Even the Drua had similar trends. The inconsistency has been so predictable that most of its victories, I am certain, have been classified as “flukes”. Is there a hidden handicap within the FRU? Lasting transformation rarely happens all at once and repeating the same habits, routines or choices, will be resulting in exactly the same. And I believe that nothing will ever change, if nothing changes.
SAMU SILATOLU
Nakasi
THE deficit of 37 points after France demolished Fiji seemed unreal, in my view. When over 90 per cent of the players have been engaged with professional rugby clubs overseas, I still could not believe the scoreline. What was the downfall? Fitness, quality, complacency or coaching? Why has Fiji’s rugby always had inconsistent results? In one match, it could be on par with any top world rugby team and then, unbelievably, deteriorated in the next. Even the Drua had similar trends. The inconsistency has been so predictable that most of its victories, I am certain, have been classified as “flukes”. Is there a hidden handicap within the FRU? Lasting transformation rarely happens all at once and repeating the same habits, routines or choices, will be resulting in exactly the same. And I believe that nothing will ever change, if nothing changes.
SAMU SILATOLU
Nakasi
Devil’s number and us
THE number 666 has reportedly been banned from the candidates list for the next general elections. A long time ago, I asked one American talatala in an underground church abroad about what he understood by the number 666. He couldn’t string a proper sentence on that apart from talking about the Book of Revelations. I have asked a few talatala here as well, but all they can tell is what they have heard, without much detail. There’s still plenty to learn for me as a Christian. The talatala don’t have a proper explanation apart from general references to the Book of Revelation. Google too can’t put it together properly and AI results are too general, algorithms probably working against upsetting belief systems. The source of the belief around the number 666 is biblical, I believe: however, some searches also suggest 616 as the devil’s number. I am loudly wondering what other numbers could potentially face the axe! Our country is currently up against many disasters, both natural and otherwise. Drugs are running rampant on the streets and in schools I heard. HIV is at the highest ever. Moral decay in society is just too visible to see around us. Respect for elders and teachers is a thing of the past already. Cyber crime is at unprecedented levels and so is human trafficking I read. Crime is rising unabated. We seem to be obsessed with the devil’s number 666 while those many devils roam freely wreaking havoc on almost every aspect of our lives. We have allowed the devil to unleash his devilish ways on our nation, but it is our own people who have been the vessels and agents of the devil. We are here by choice though, and not because the devil overpowered us. We gave way. Banning numbers from official documents makes it all look like a charade. LTA registers 666 on number plates. Phone numbers have 666. We must ban the devilish ways first. The devil himself does not transport drugs, inject people with drugs and disease, break into homes, steal, riot and do everything else that we read in the news. Our people do. We are refusing to ban immorality and everything harmful. Let’s ban a number and that shall keep the devil at bay, eh! The devil is right here amongst us. Writing further might attract the scorn of many.
DONALD SINGH
Nausori
THE number 666 has reportedly been banned from the candidates list for the next general elections. A long time ago, I asked one American talatala in an underground church abroad about what he understood by the number 666. He couldn’t string a proper sentence on that apart from talking about the Book of Revelations. I have asked a few talatala here as well, but all they can tell is what they have heard, without much detail. There’s still plenty to learn for me as a Christian. The talatala don’t have a proper explanation apart from general references to the Book of Revelation. Google too can’t put it together properly and AI results are too general, algorithms probably working against upsetting belief systems. The source of the belief around the number 666 is biblical, I believe: however, some searches also suggest 616 as the devil’s number. I am loudly wondering what other numbers could potentially face the axe! Our country is currently up against many disasters, both natural and otherwise. Drugs are running rampant on the streets and in schools I heard. HIV is at the highest ever. Moral decay in society is just too visible to see around us. Respect for elders and teachers is a thing of the past already. Cyber crime is at unprecedented levels and so is human trafficking I read. Crime is rising unabated. We seem to be obsessed with the devil’s number 666 while those many devils roam freely wreaking havoc on almost every aspect of our lives. We have allowed the devil to unleash his devilish ways on our nation, but it is our own people who have been the vessels and agents of the devil. We are here by choice though, and not because the devil overpowered us. We gave way. Banning numbers from official documents makes it all look like a charade. LTA registers 666 on number plates. Phone numbers have 666. We must ban the devilish ways first. The devil himself does not transport drugs, inject people with drugs and disease, break into homes, steal, riot and do everything else that we read in the news. Our people do. We are refusing to ban immorality and everything harmful. Let’s ban a number and that shall keep the devil at bay, eh! The devil is right here amongst us. Writing further might attract the scorn of many.
DONALD SINGH
Nausori
Four
‘P’s
PERSON, parliamentarians, politics and prison. As a world widenorm, we have witnessed this happening and I hope with all the hue and cry from all angles of social media and other media platforms. Aspiring new candidates wishing to join politics should always be mindful of the last P. Before becoming a parliamentarian, one is classified as an ordinary person, then you win a seat and become a parliamentarian and now involved with politics. Politics can lead you either in the positive direction or negative direction and if not careful, one may end up in prison. Good luck to all new and old aspiring candidates.
JUKI FONG CHEW
Nadawa, Nasinu
‘P’s
PERSON, parliamentarians, politics and prison. As a world widenorm, we have witnessed this happening and I hope with all the hue and cry from all angles of social media and other media platforms. Aspiring new candidates wishing to join politics should always be mindful of the last P. Before becoming a parliamentarian, one is classified as an ordinary person, then you win a seat and become a parliamentarian and now involved with politics. Politics can lead you either in the positive direction or negative direction and if not careful, one may end up in prison. Good luck to all new and old aspiring candidates.
JUKI FONG CHEW
Nadawa, Nasinu
