Duty of care DINESH KUMAR BA THIS past week witnessed two tragic incidents involving secondary school students. One teenager became the second road fatality of the year, while another drowned. The hopes and dreams their families held for them are now reduced to painful memories that will never fade. Parents must exercise greater vigilance in supervising their children. While we are quick to criticise teachers over their duty of care during school hours, we appear far less diligent when it comes to our own responsibilities at home. Supervision is a shared responsibility, not a selective one.
Solving problems JAN NISSAR SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA PRESIDENT Donald Trump has claimed that he has solved the problem of Greenland and that they have come to an agreement with NATO. Apparently, the government and people of Greenland know nothing about this deal. It is great to see that the President is solving problems of his own making in the first place which he probably does not realise. He is not alone. I believe we have the Government of Fiji spending millions not just in money but in wasted time and effort at the expense of all Fijians in solving problems of their own making.
No crocodiles RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA THE one thing the ODPP decision not to pursue in court any charges against any of the persons the COI findings had identified purportedly because of “insufficient evidence” is that there are no crocodiles in Fiji, contrary to PM Rabuka’s belief and his reason for setting up the COI. In Fiji we only have bigtime crooked people who often get away scot-free with their crooked doing and dealing. Nobody can deny that, I am pretty sure. We have such people here in Australia as well. Under the Australia justice system, they tend to get thrown in jail under the due process of the law.
Be careful of new friends DENNIS FITZGERALD MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA THE Iranian protesters are to be congratulated on their bravery but should be warned to be cautious about planning to rely too much on President Trump. President Trump has claimed to have stopped eight wars already although many are doubtful about these claims. As is evident, even in just this region, solving wars by negotiation or attack is very difficult. There is also the commitment he can make apart from sending in troops to take over as he is also involved with Venezuela, Ukraine, Israel and their wars but with little real success. Much of his activity including inside his country seems to be a means of distracting coverage from the Epstein files. Not always is the enemy of my enemy my friend.
Tourism upbeat RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI FIJI Bureau of Statistics’ findings and DPM and Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka’s positive observations should be welcomed for the increasing number of tourists visiting Fiji. With increasing instability in Europe, Middle East and USA, we need to take ample advantage of the circumstances and work to maintain the tourism numbers in future. It is expected that this instability will continue till 2029/30. Let us hope that our police force will double their effort to combat crime and drug issues.
Spotlight on appointments RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA AS I said in an earlier letter, the plot or indeed the rot thickens regarding what has been going on at the Fiji National University. The whistleblower made it clear this was not about personalities, it was about institutional integrity (“Spotlight on FNU appointments” FT 24/1 ). And, from what he/she presented, there can be no doubt whatsoever that institutional integrity was seriously compromised at Fiji’s national university. That’s a crying shame. What caused the departures from established university norms? The whistleblower wonders if political affiliation influenced the aberrant decisions that were made at the university. As a keen Fiji politics watcher — since the first military coup of 1987 and the rise of the ugly head of ethnonationalism in the country — I have no doubt political affiliations and political patronage played a pivotal part in the shenanigans at FNU.
Noisy people RONNIE CHANG MARTINTAR, NADI THE peaceful neighbourhood silence was annoyingly shattered early on Saturday morning, January 24, 2026 by a group of noisy and inconsiderate guests who occupied an Air BnB place. Some citizens just do not know or care how to behave in a residential area. They party, yell, scream and shout as if they are on an isolated island. This world can be a better place when all of us learn to be considerate. People who needlessly cause disturbance of the peace early in the morning do not know how to handle themselves with respect and decency in a peaceful neighbourhood setting. This is so sad, in my view. Grow up please. (Sa sere na dali).
Thank you, Police Blue! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU IT’S rare to see 7s clubs assisting organisations that look after the needy. At the outset, I salute the Police Blue team for donating $5000 from their $7000 prizemoney, that they won after scooping the Labasa 7s tournament, to the Fiji Cancer Society! Police Blue is one of Fiji’s most successful 7s teams, having produced stars who have gone on to don the national jumper and make the side and nation proud. I salute the vision of the Police Blue side in giving back to the community. The donation will be used by the Fiji Cancer Society to raise awareness and for their community outreach programs, as well as screening services for preventive measures. Job well done, Police Blue! Vinaka vakalevu!
