Pool saga
Sadly, there are huge lessons to be learnt from the unfinished Lautoka swimming pool. I believe we cannot let that space get wasted and left idle for long periods of time. As the discussions around the kava bowl circulated, a few senior citizens got really furious saying that “authorities had advised that Lautoka swimming pool is expected to be completed before the end of the 2025-2026 financial year”. Well from the other side, someone poked, “we just keep our fingers crossed or else they might leave it like that for a few more months”. Passing by, a friend, Nisu said: “Words are very cheap in the mouth!” Taki! NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Education Commission!
I commend the Ministry of Education for appointing the Education Commission that will carry out a comprehensive review of the education system, including curriculum, teacher quality, school leadership, and institutional frameworks. There would have been no better person than Professor Vijay Naidu, a distinguished academic and former University of the South Pacific lecturer. I read that the commission’s objectives are to strengthen national unity and identity by promoting diversity, respect, and belonging, to align development demands with economic and future labour market, to make education more inclusive and accessible to all Fijians and to position Fiji globally as a centre of learning, innovation and excellence. Alongside Professor Naidu, the team is highly qualified and experienced with the likes of Filipe Jitoko, Kelera Taloga, Dr Lavenia Tiko, Dr Priscilla Puamau, Dr Kesaia Seniloli, Arvind Maharaj and Ana Raivoce. I’m confident that the commission will help guide the education system through an era of transformation, one that will be shaped by rapid technological change, shifting labour markets, and the increasing importance of lifelong and inclusive learning. I’m grateful to the Education Minister, Aseri Masivou Radrodro, for assuring that the process would be a consultative, evidence-based, and forward-looking process, capturing the voices of students, educators, parents, employers, and communities. I sincerely request the team to focus on the declining state of literacy and numeracy among students! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Power of arrest
There’s public outcry in the way police arrested a youth who was drinking in the vicinity of Suva City. Well, to my understanding police had to apply reasonable force to overcome the offender if he resisted arrest. People should also understand the difficulties and the surroundings police had to face when trying to maintain law and order. They deal with all kinds of people where their lives and safety are also at risk. So for us members of the public, let us not jump to conclusions and let the enforcement officers do their job. When we do not know anything and the fact of the matter, that’s how we react when we see anything posted on social media. Our elders always say “silima na gau ni dali”, if not, “ciqo baca”. I stand with my brothers in blue. Pita Soroaqali
Rakiraki Rule of law
The Sunday Times report ‘Abuse of power claims’ (ST 22/6) reminds me of this relevant conceptualisation: The “rule of law” is preferred over the “rule of man” because it establishes a system where everyone, including those in power, is subject to and accountable under the law, preventing arbitrary actions and protecting individual freedoms. The “rule of man”, on the other hand, implies that decisions are made based on the whims of preferences of individuals in authority, potentially leading to injustice and inequality. (See AI Overview for more detailed explanation). The case The Sunday Times reports on contains all the characteristics of the “rule of man”. We must guard vigilantly against this tendency on the part of those in power and positions of authority. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Road safety
Tahir Ali is absolutely correct quoting LTA CEO’s advice, “poor steering control can be fatal” (LTE 30/06). Many of my friends, including me, who are 60 plus in age have now stopped driving at night fearing drivers who didn’t ‘dip’ their vehicle lights when passing or new vehicles having very bright distracting lights (meant for two or more vehicle lanes on overseas motorways during winter months possibly). I am also concerned about very lightly or not visible at all the road markings on Nadi’s Back Rd and town end towards Sigatoka Highway (Navo, Malolo) stretch. At some places, there are no road markings (even middle road divider, double line, etc) One of my visiting family members from Australia had a frightening experience driving down Teidamu hills when a driver was overtaking a vehicle uphill. She remarked that it was too dangerous to drive on Fiji’s roads now. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Banned fish
Are the Ministry of Fisheries officers aware that the banned Grouper (Kawakawa) and Coral Trout (Donu) are still being sold at the Lautoka Fisheries Wharf? Saw two bundles of Kawakawa and Donu being sold and the kusima in me was faintly whispering to buy it. Not today Satan. Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
People’s budget
The DPM Professor Biman Prasad speaking post Budget (FT 1/7), it seems to be a way forward for a better Fiji tomorrow. I believe it’s a people’s budget for all Fijians, poor, needy and rich in these trying times. It is assumed that we all will have saved some money for a happy and healthy retirement with a secured future. Let’s prioritise our health with happiness with updated medical facilities as we are also covered. A prospective budget with some “bachat” for our rainy days. God bless Fiji and all Fijians. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Coalition leadership
I believe a coalition leadership is not an objective and ultimate way democratic governance should be, yet, it can keep the three wheeler Coalition leadership on its toes. Any way, it’s not surprising the wayward attitudes this island nation is facing at the moment, when the water is murky from the top with too many wannabes trolling within. AREKI DAWAI Suva
Aussie comments
It would be such a joy if the self satisfied Mr Nissar could send you just one clever letter that is neither snide nor belittling nor sarcastic. Michael Scott Morris St, Lautoka
NFP issue
Rakesh Chand stated not everyone’s a blind supporter of NFP (FT 1/25). FYI, the NFP has proven itself over the past 60 years, whether in government or not. NFP is still aiming for prosperity for the people of this country and will keep fighting for them no matter what, whether you agree or not. Just face the truth and take your bitter pills. NFP is gonna come back strong after the 2026 elections.
Avenai Serutabua Nabukelevu Village, Serua
Streetlight issue
I believe 60 per cent of streetlights are not working around Lautoka. The hospital road is dark at night but Lautoka City Council and Fiji Roads Authority can’t see that. Maybe soon kerosene lamps will be lit beside footpaths at night. Geoffrey Chand Lautoka
Leaked report, police
Public interest or public instinct?
The ongoing fiasco surrounding the Commission of Inquiry has taken yet another turn, following a press conference held by former attorney-general Graham Leung, during which he reportedly described the commission’s findings as a “travesty of justice”. Much has already been said on the matter, so I will refrain from commenting further on the substance of the report. However, I wish to reflect on a particular point made by Mr Leung, as reported in The Fiji Times on July 2, 2025. Mr Leung referred to the leak of the report as “a dangerous assault on due process” and noted that its circulation online has “poisoned” public trust in Fiji’s legal institutions. On this point, I find myself in agreement. While I firmly support the principles of open data and the public’s right to access information, I also believe that, particularly in Fiji’s context, certain information must be treated with confidentiality, at least temporarily. Far too often, segments of our society are quick to draw conclusions or engage in fear-mongering that is shaped by racial or political narratives, rather than careful analysis of facts. A pertinent example is the COI report into the appointment of Barbara Malimali as Commissioner of FICAC. From the outset of the hearings through to the publication of the report, and continuing even now, social media platforms, notably groups like the Fiji Exposed Forum, have featured numerous posts with inflammatory captions and hostile commentary. The tone of these posts has typically been dismissive of any genuine engagement, and the discussions they spark tend to be shallow and uncivil. This raises a broader question: how is it that official government information frequently appears on platforms such as Facebook before any formal announcement is made by the relevant authorities? That said, any withholding of information must be a temporary and measured response. After 16 years during which information was tightly controlled by two individuals, it is entirely reasonable for the public to now call for greater transparency. However, we must distinguish transparency from irresponsibility. The release of official information should follow a deliberate and structured process, one that ensures accuracy, permits necessary redactions, and provides appropriate context. Without such safeguards, there is a real risk that the public discourse will be distorted by misinformation and politicized outrage, ultimately weakening, rather than strengthening, our democratic institutions. The objective should not be to indefinitely restrict access to information, but to foster an environment in which the dissemination of information is trusted, because the institutions disseminating it have earned the public’s confidence. Building this trust will take time. It depends on consistent institutional conduct, public education, and the cultivation of a mature civic culture, none of which can thrive when leaks are weaponised and online commentary is dominated by the most extreme and least informed voices. In the current Fijian landscape, where social media often assumes the role of judge and jury, it is essential that premature disclosures do not compromise the integrity of legal or administrative proceedings. Transparency remains a vital goal, but achieving it in a way that upholds public trust and institutional credibility requires discipline, structure, and, above all, civic responsibility. Ratu Manoa Rokotavaga Raiwai, Suva
COMPOL Tudravu
There’s a dire need for a Police Post in Nasoso, Nadi. Every weekend there’s a drinking party by the roadside, accompanied by shouting and loud swearing. Guaranteed, and they only disperse when residents call our local Namaka Police Station, a fair distance away. The residents are terrified! Ben Kush Nadi
