Integrity and justice
I praise you rising star Jake Wise for your bold reporting at page 1 of last Saturday, June 7 issue of The Fiji Times. You reported clearly therein the emphatic statement of Chief Justice Salesi Temo. May I quote the particular printed Statement of The Chief Justice: “I’ve scrapped all the cases for this particular one. I’m putting this case as top priority.” Alleluia! My dear fellow citizens of the Republic of The Fiji Islands, last Thursday, June 5, 2025, The Fiji Times honoured me by recalling my Swearing In Parliament on Monday, June 5, 2006 as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. With respect, and for the record, Section 80(6) of the 1997 Constitution which I believe is still in force, exhaustively sets out the circumstances in which the Office of Speaker of the House becomes vacant. I believe my position as the Speaker of the House of Representatives is still intact under the 1997 Fiji Constitution which is still prevailing to date. Finally, with respect, now that the substantive President and Vice President of the Republic of Fiji had gone to the Lord, should I be the Acting President of Fiji under Section 88 (3) of the 1997 Fiji Constitution? If that is so Chief Justice Salesi Temo, may I proceed and govern the implementation of the Decision of the Court of Appeal on the Qarase and others versus Bainimarama and others, Civil Appeal No. ABU 0077 of 2008, made public on Thursday, April 9, 2009, a day before Good Friday? With God as our witness, give us this (1997) constitution. Pita K. Nacuva, Griffith Place, Namadi Height, Suva
COI head under fire!
It was disappointing to read how Justice David Ashton-Lewis, the Commissioner of Inquiry acted in what I believe was an unprofessional way by publicly discussing the Commission of Inquiry report in an interview with Radio Australia. His comments have brought disrepute to his position as he comes under intense criticism and scrutiny for allegations of defamation and bias, and a possible breach of his terms and appointment in the Barbara Malimali saga. His statements show his disregard and disrespect for President Ratu Naiqama Labalavu and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. It is important to follow the channel of communication when dealing with matters of national interest and those that are sensitive and could cause chaos and instability. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
COI for what?
Pita Soroaqali says he bets most people don’t even know why the COI was set up (FT 10/6). I bet most do. The Fijian people of today have a high level of political consciousness. Pita says further we should “sit still and let the Government do what is supposed to be done”. That’s precisely what we must not do. It is only public activism regarding the controversial and rushed appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC commissioner that led the Government to get a COI going. Now there is public pressure for the Government to act on the COI’s recommendations so that “institutional integrity” (FT editorial pronouncement) and good governance can be restored in the country. That public pressure must be maintained. And with it the public must maintain the rage against corrupt public office holders. Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
