Miss Fiji debate
The debate as to who represents Fiji to the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant continues. A directive was given by Acting Prime Minister Filimoni Vosarogo to reinstate former Miss Fiji Peggy Ravusiro, but Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalumisa instructed that Miss Ailava Samuels will remain Fiji’s representative. The new year has started with heated debates. Wonder what’s instore for us next! Earlier PM Sitiveni Rabuka had stated that the Government would not intervene in the controversy. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Pageant circus
Miss Fiji has suffered a total loss of credibility. What began as a pageant is now subject to government intervention, external influence, and apparent jurisdictional confusion, with the South Pacific Pageant somehow entering the proceedings. If a minister is still attempting to override Cabinet decision to force participation, then we are clearly witnessing an abuse of process. Okay, I had enough of this saga, Vitia. Next, please! Avenai Serutabua Nabukelevu Village, Serua
IQ issue
Children who did academically very well in the last school year made all parents justly proud. Sometimes we think that a child’s high IQ trait guarantees a successful life. We are partly correct with this assumption.
Intelligence is not a fixed thing. Smart children need to develop a broad range of skills in the long haul. In reality they will face vicissitudes of life. The likes of which are; discomfort, disappointment, failure and pain. All of which requires to be managed well. Most successful people in life did not have a high IQ. They had more than personal resources like diligence and perseverance to succeed. In fact they kept a network of supportive people about them and were humble enough to learn from others. Furthermore, they had good emotional regulation in difficult situations. In an imperfect world children will be required to struggle well beginning from school years. Sachida Nath Nadi
Unsubstantiated claims
There’s so much talk and claims regarding drug cartels, syndicates, arms and what not, that has been circulated without supporting evidence going viral on social media nowadays. If those claims are not supported by evidence, it’s hearsay which cannot be proven in a court of law. Drug cartels, syndicates, arms smuggling and what not is a worldwide problem nowadays and Fiji is no exception mind you! To leak unsubstantiated claims on social media will only be taken as a hint or lead in the course of investigation but not as a concrete evidence in a court of law. While we live in an era of digitisation, my question is why he (ex cop) never used his intelligence at that time to record videos and other correspondence to support his recent claims? Before digitisation, experienced investigators would carry small tape recorders in their pockets and record any conversation secretly to help them in gathering evidence. I appreciate the courage shown by our social media whistleblower but I believe he lacked the intelligence to make use of his small gadget where he can record conversations, videos and photos of his claims. Before digitisation, a police officer will carry a bag full of his logistics inventory to get information and evidence. Unlike today, everything can be stored in that small gadget all at once but our whistleblower failed to do that. As I’ve said in my earlier letter and will repeat today, it takes years of investigation and hands-on experience to be able to have that intelligence in the field of investigation. Otherwise, unsubstantiated claims are legally termed as hearsay or in iTaukei as vosa na cagi. Pita Soroaqali Tavua
Narco submarines
I am no mariner, naval strategist or maritime security expert, but there’s a niggling question that keeps circling my mind and, I suspect, the minds of many ordinary citizens. Narco submarines carrying vast quantities of illicit drugs do not simply materialise out of thin ocean water, right? Logic suggests they must have a ‘mother ship’ somewhere. These semi-submersible vessels are not designed for comfort or long-term independent travel, or so I would think. They’re built for transport, stealth and delivery. Which begs the question: where are they coming from, how far can they realistically travel and where do they resupply, refuel or berth? Can such submarines truly cross long stretches of the Pacific without support? Or are they being launched, guided and recovered by larger vessels operating well beyond the public radar? If so, what does that say about the scale, sophistication and reach of modern drug trafficking networks operating in our region? Fiji sits in a vast maritime zone, with thousands of kilometres of ocean that are difficult to patrol comprehensively. While we take pride in our role as a regional hub for tourism and trade, we must also acknowledge that geography can be exploited. Criminal networks are adaptive, well-funded and technologically savvy. They move faster than bureaucracy and often faster than public awareness. This isn’t about fear-mongering. It’s about asking the right questions before uncomfortable answers are forced upon us. If narco submarines are indeed entering Pacific waters, then the conversation must shift from disbelief to preparedness, cooperation and transparency. Do we have sufficient maritime surveillance capacity? Are regional intelligence-sharing arrangements robust enough? And are we, as a nation, prepared to confront uncomfortable truths about how organised crime may be using our ocean highways? Sunlight has always been the best disinfectant. A well-informed public discussion is not a weakness. It’s a strength. Colin Deoki Australia
School sandals
Why are school sandals so costly? Does expensive mean a better quality? Or is it just an opportunistic means to earn a quick buck? Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Drug trade
The nation’s wellbeing is at risk. Now I read that another type of drug is here. I do believe that in Fiji we now have drugs that weren’t here some 50 years ago. But I could be wrong. Will it get worse? We usually say: “man the problem has gone from bad to worse”. What do we say? NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Desire to serve
Minister Charan Jeath Singh seeks another term and has, therefore, declared his intention to run in the 2026 election saying “four years is not enough to make a real change” (FT 22/1). The people of Fiji are blessed to have such a dedicated politician who is so desirous of serving them and bringing about “real change”. I believe the Fijian people have been waiting for a long time for that and have lost their faith in the Rabuka gang in government to deliver it. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Good service
I would like to thank Ms Namita of Lautoka Hospital (Eye Department) front desk staff. I must say you have good customer service skills. The efficiency of your work speaks for itself. That’s exactly what is needed at a hospital where people want to feel at ease and be disseminated with correct information. Keep up the good work. Kirti Patel Mohan Singh Pl, Lautoka
FNU saga
I think the FNU saga is an election gift for the rest of us. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
No water
In the last two weeks, I greeted Fiji and the world with ‘Happy no water New Year’. On Wednesday, (21/1) we got water along Airport Rd, Savusavu, from our Water Supply Department. Some say it’s creek water. Glad to say creek water or treated water, something is better than nothing — all the same. Up North, “we just sit down ga, da drink!” Luke Kulanikoro Savusavu
Drugs, traffic, littering
Littering concern
First and foremost, I do commend the hard work of the Suva City Council worker Marshall Narayan for cleaning the park every day (FT 22/01). As highlighted by Narayan, despite the presence of rubbish bins in Suva, littering is still a major concern. He blames the decline of civic responsibility, which is true. This is a regurgitated daily matter in Fiji, and many are getting sick of it! Nearly every day you will see the common slogan on social media posts, “Fiji: the way the world should be!” Yet, people seem to have no civic pride in keeping their country free of rubbish. Rubbish here, rubbish there, rubbish everywhere! The Litter Act 2008, section 20, states that a public authority may offer rewards for the giving of information that leads to the conviction of any person or corporate body for an offence. Public authority under the Litter Act means the Department of Environment, municipal councils, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), or any other bodies declared by the Minister of Environment to be public authorities. Furthermore, in section 4, litter prevention officers can include police officers, officers appointed under Public Health, the port master of any State port, forest officers or guards, or any authorised officer under Environment or LTA. The key is monitoring, surveillance, and enforcement. The Litter Act is to provide for enforcement purposes. Relevant authorities should stop with the complaints of no manpower or money and do something about it! Slap the slumbering spirit out of the tiger and make use of its teeth. If there are no teeth, put on its dentures for crying out loud! Impose spot fines, put up cameras in public areas to spot offenders, and make use of community watch programs to assist with enforcement. It is about time the Department of Environment, relevant public authorities including the municipal councils, step out of their fancy taxpayer-funded government vehicles and take action. Put the horse in front of the cart. Litiana M-Rakire Nabua, Suva
Alert mode!
Now that drug peddlers are targeting Fiji waters, it’s high time our Navy takes a concerted approach and starts monitoring activities happening in our waters and yachts and boats entering our waters. We need to come down hard on those who are planning to ruin the peace in our beloved nation by bringing drugs. We need to tighten laws and those dealing with drugs must face the full brunt. Dear lawmakers, please do not be lenient. Lives have been lost and mental hospitals are filling up with locals. To our law enforcers, let’s think and act smart as these culprits are targeting areas outside Suva. Who would have thought that the Vatia Wharf located in Tavua would be a target! Finally, like many others, I call upon the Fiji Military Forces to join police in eradicating drugs. Things are getting worse from bad. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Honourable suggestions
Colin Deoki’s suggestions and recommendations on how to solve the traffic problems in Fiji is excellent (FT 20/01). He is obviously a person of wisdom in his twilight years having experienced life in full. However, while his suggestions are honourable, none of them, I believe, will work in Fiji and his thoughts are a “pie in the sky”. Given his wisdom, Colin should tell us how to solve the HIV and drug problem which is running rampant in the youths of Fiji. Do not forget to quote the relevant verses please. Jan Nissar Sydney, NSW, Australia
