Pardons and mercies
Rather tough topic, but worth talking on anyway.
George Speight says he never actually received a presidential pardon when he was released in 2024.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment and served 24 years before his release following the Mercy Commission’s recommendation. Now we find out that the remainder of his sentence has been postponed, which means it did not have to be served at that time.
Two things. One, Speight already received his pardon when his death sentence for treason was commuted to life imprisonment.
He couldn’t possibly be pardoned twice.
So, the law has been applied fairly. The wordings of the 2024 release may have been fumbled a bit or vague, but the application of mercy seems to be quite clear.
Two. The remainder of his sentence is postponed, or suspended, which could possibly be reinstated upon him reoffending. The law again, seems to have been applied justly.
And three. Fiji will hopefully never see another treasonous act. If we do face up with such a situation, life sentence without pardon or mercy should be the minimum punishment.
Donald Singh Nausori
Outstanding Ba
Through dedicated effort and unwavering commitment from both the management and the players, Ba has achieved a remarkable feat by claiming all the major trophies this season.
This milestone accomplishment deserves recognition and admiration.
Among those deserving credit, one name shines above the rest: Pranil Dayal, the club’s president.
He doesn’t just make promises — he ensures they are fulfilled. There may be valuable lessons others can take from his leadership.
Onward, Ba continues to cement its legacy in the history of soccer. As a devoted supporter of Ba, I want to express my heartfelt congratulations on your success.
Suresh Chand Nadi
Public bus service
Imagine finishing a gruelling shift at 7pm, exhausted, only to realise your real nightmare is just beginning.
This is the daily reality for hundreds of workers stranded on Denarau Island every night.
Many must travel as far as Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, and Sigatoka, but they are completely abandoned because I believe the Land Transport Authority (LTA) refuses to license willing bus operators for after-hours service. As a business owner, it breaks my heart to watch our female employees endure this.
They finish work late, fight for non-existent transport, and finally arrive home only to start a second shift of cooking, cleaning, and caring for their children.
They get just a few hours of sleep before waking up in the dark to prepare for the next day. They are running on pure exhaustion.
How can our own LTA be so blind to this suffering?
By hiding behind outdated regulations and blocking even metered taxis from operating in Denarau, they are stripping these women of their safety and dignity.
Our tourism industry thrives on their hard work, yet we treat them like ghosts the moment the sun goes down.
The LTA needs to find its heart and fix this broken system before tragedy strikes.
Bobby Raniga Nadi
iTaukei or Fijians?
Mr Seruiratu commented, “Fiji isn’t the property of one race” (FT 11/10/26). Did the iTaukei declare it? If they did, I believe, it actually refers to “The founding people of Fiji”. That was the reason iTaukei has been documented and recorded, as “Fijians”, since the 1800s, in my opinion. Not iTaukei, that has just been politically created and being addressed, today, in my view. In fact, it will and always be the politicians, I believe, that manipulate and exaggerate any freedom of expression or speech, to their political advantage. And I believe, when any politician who has foreseen his political exit, any public comment or statement as such, will be weaponised, in every which way possible. Just as fleas are interested in dogs, in my view.
Samu Silatolu Nakasi
FNPF saga
The Fiji National Provident Fund is hereby, respectfully and politely, reminded they are the custodians of every members contributions – past, present and in the years to come.
No member;
No contribution;
No FNPF;
No job.
Period!
Last year, 2025, you sat and collected a historical $1.1billion in members’ contributions. The monies come to you. You do not need to search. Too easy.
Betrayed pensioners are not “bad boys and girls” as you make us out to be.
We seek justice. Look after our retirement interests – your primary duty. We deserve some respect in our twilight years as elderly seniors now well into our 70s and 80s. Have a heart.
You are all employed to look after our monies, our interests and our irrevocable pensions.
Pensions payable are by your rules – No more – No less. A third party, the then FijiFirst government’s collusion, changed our binding contracts through unproven insolvency, at the time. This was a blow well below the belt. It hurts still in our twilight years… 14 painful years later.
Ronnie Chang Nadi
Voter list controversy
I REFER to The Fiji Times world news (10/10) in which India’s Opposition is demanding Gyanesh Kumar, chief election commissioner, to resign over manipulation of voter list. When Indian journalists ask for evidence, protesters say: ‘It’s written in Indian Express’.
Over the years, Indian Express, now controlled by ‘Leftists’, has seen its reader base dwindling down like BBC.
The ‘Cockroach’ movement leaders are now in Delhi Police custody.
Indian political analysts are saying that Yogi Baba’s Uttar Pradesh State’s “Romeo Police” made up of “Martial Arts” trained women commandos should’ve been sent into the October 10 protest.
Usually, the Romeo Police is present at the gates of universities, colleges, markets, night bazaars etc. They would pick up boys and young men ‘teasing’ girls and women.
RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Thank you
IT has been over two years that I have been giving a lift to students of three schools based along Mead Rd every morning, whenever I see them waiting to catch a bus or walking to their respective schools. No one asks me to but parental responsibility shifts in after dropping off my two boys at ISS and our matron at SPC in Nabua. It is truly an esteemed and pleasing when voices inside your twincab are heard saying “yadra saka”, “vinaka saka” or “have a blessed day”. Parents, guardians and teachers of Nabua Secondary School, Nabua Primary School and Suva Muslim College, thank you for the good upbringing!
AREKI DAWAI Suva
Trust factor
Correct me if I’m wrong but this current Government is the first ever Fijian government to face so many controversies with issues like corruption, political infighting, explicit videos etc. Can they still maintain public trust? No. Sobo!
Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Alcohol, driving
The Fiji Times news on alcohol-related fatal accidents is heart breaking. Drivers are responsible and must respect road rules for their own safety and the safety of others. It should be a shared responsibility to save lives. Alcohol and driving do not mix, unlike grog. Ban alcohol behind the wheel to zero tolerance. If you have to drink and drive, drink Fiji fresh spring water and stay alive.
Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Memory lane
I believe Rajend Naidu has poor memory. A year ago, he was writing in The Fiji Times and praising China for its economic growth and raising millions of people out of poverty. Rajend, “denying facts leads to personal health risks, to the breakdown of democratic trust and social cohesion”.
I believe this cannot be b@llsh!t!
Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
USP question
Why after more than a year is USP still without a V-C?
Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia
Common language
Edward Kumar’s empowering message on “unique language” (FT 15/9) is for all who communicate with each other in Fiji’s multiracial plural society.
While it is important to understand international common language like English, we can’t do away with our mother tongue, lest we forget our identity. Fijians can easily communicate in our traditional Fiji bhasha (language) used everywhere in Fiji.
Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Nobel Peace Prize winner
Navi Pillay, 85, a former ICC judge won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize “for her efforts to promote peace and international law” (Reuters/ST 11/10/26).
There can be no dispute whatsoever that she is a most deserving winner of the award.
I applaud the Nobel Committee for the excellent selection it made.
Rajend Naidu Calgary, Canada
