A father’s anguish
I feel the pain that honourable Pio Tikoduadua, a father is going through. Hon Tikoduadua’s daughter, who is a police officer, has been in a critical condition after a violent, drug-related pursuit in Laqere, Nasinu. I feel the weight of duty and a father’s anguish that Hon Tikoduadua carries as he shared his ordeal with Anish Chand via The Fiji Times online portal The Lens@177. It’s a pity that his daughter may never walk again, following her third surgery in Australia. Hon Tikoduadua shared his daughter’s experiences and the extent of her injuries. I am a father of a 11-year-old daughter who is so close to me. Hence, I share my prayers, and I hope that God heals the brave lady from her pain and blesses Hon Tikoduadua and his beautiful family. Hats off, Fred Wesley, for that bold editorial titled ‘Standing with those who serve’ (FT: 11/06)! I agree with Wesley that as a nation, we must continue to support the many officers who faithfully carry out their duties, often under difficult and dangerous circumstances. Their job is risky! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
State of the economy
It will be an interesting revelation to learn how much did it really cost attendees to partake in the State of the Economy event. Talk in the community says some “fancy” amounts are involved. I will, however, stand corrected should the opportunity present itself. I must thank Tavai Bale’s piece – LTE: (FT 11/6). Well written. Vina du va levu. Some attendees’ “grand-standing and pontificating” is beyond me. The current Coalition Govt “inherited” much, rather unfairly. It will take much more than one term in authority to right “yesterday’s wrongs” inclusive of the serious betrayal of senior FNPF pensioners from 2012. We are counting. And waiting, impatiently. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Defer Fiji FACT
Could the Fiji Football Association defer the Fiji FACT soccer event while the FIFA World Cup Soccer is in progress, the reason being, let the players and coaches and officials learn why Fiji soccer is not making any progress. Sukha Singh Labasa
Economic crisis
The Government is already reducing expenses as revenue drops and borrowing increases. It is not easy to run a country or any organisation for that matter when expenses are higher than income. It is about time that everyone, Government, local government and private companies try their best to reduce expenses somewhere since the fuel crisis might continue for some time. Let’s be proactive with the current situation as the last thing anyone will need is reduced hours and less pay or even job losses. Narayan Reddy Lautoka
PM’s challenge
I believe the Prime Minister is really tired. The PM has been involved with politics from the last century while members of the current parliament entered politics afterwards. Leading a group of politicians of the new age I guess has become a hurdle for him to maintain especially dealing with their unnecessary personality and wants. AREKI DAWAI Suva
Seaqaqa farmer
Mohammed Aroof Khan leaving his unharvested cane behind in this fuel crisis (FT 3/6 Picture: Nacanieli Tuilevuka), looks like the sugar industry is no longer sweet as he is now opting for a kava business at Labasa’s Damodar City. Our girmitiya dreamed for all Fijians, for interdependent farming, for decent living, for future generations. Time for a change? Grow other crops like rice, dalo and other mix farming, with the assistance of the Agriculture Ministry, keeping Fiji ever green for self sufficiency. Family food first. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand
Election numb
After watching a bit of healthy conversation live on fijivillage’s online page, it seems like we may see some real political game in the upcoming elections. Good governance, transparency and accountability will be eluding our nation if such people find themselves in the corridors of power. Poor quality politicians generate negative externalities and basically sow the seeds for poor quality governance. The road to be a politician is riddled with lots of “potholes, road humps and name calling”. It’s a tough road. But who said life was easy? NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
Sugar not sweet anymore
I read with interest, with every dot and comma, Sugar Minister Tomasi Tunabuna’s rejection of National Farmers Union leader Mahendra Chaudhry’s claims regarding ill-treatment of cane farmers. Mr Tunabuna, my former colleague from Sigatoka Research Station, told Mr Chaudhry “to stop hoodwinking cane growers to win votes in the next general election”. Quite interesting. But I will not seriously look at the content from both sides. I will take Mr Tunabuna’s side. That’s because I have worked with him at the same station and I know him as a friend, not minister. But then, I look forward to Mr Chaudhry’s hit back. Then I will see whether to go with presented facts or stick with ‘who you know’. Sounds like elections. Donald Singh Nausori
Self assessment
Agriculture, Waterways, and Sugar Minister, Tomasi Tunabuna should spend time assessing his own as well as the Coalition’s performance. Fiji is basically an agricultural country. There are thousands of acres of arable land lying idle with landowners and we are importing rice, lentils, tomatoes, capsicum etc. Please take Israeli assistance in creating huge ‘Greenhouses’ like the ones we see in Australia and New Zealand. We cannot live with this delusion that Fiji is the hub of the Pacific with industries and tourism flourishing all the time. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Local option
It has been too cold for our liking. In comparison with our overseas neighbours whose houses contain various heating mechanisms such as fireplaces, we do not have such luxuries. Regardless, I have been told that the best local option inside the house is the mosquito coil. Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
Our leaders
Can Savenaca Narube and Mahendra Chaudhry combine to form a new party and fight the upcoming elections please. They will surely win hands down. Mr Chaudhry to be the PM as I feel he was the best. And now since we have the truth and reconciliation, it’s only a genuine reconciliation to give him what was wrongly taken away from him. Give him a chance and let’s see. Just four years. Nothing to be afraid of. Mr Narube to be his deputy and also Mr Chaudhry’s deputy finance minister. A. Shariff Shah Savusavu
Jan’s suggestion
I think honourable Lenora Qereqeretabua would make a better leader for NFP than Kirti Patel. Lenora has been in Parliament for some time. If NFP makes her the new leader more iTaukei will join NFP. If NFP needs more suggestions to win more seats don’t hesitate to ask me. Sukha Singh Labasa
Be real!
Most of our journalists run their entire profession using a microphone. Just report who said what. But what about fact checking with official records? What about verifying the numbers and percentages that our politicians throw around? Be a real journalist. Don’t be a loudspeaker for politicians. Kiran Khatri Samabula, Suva
Review process
I believe, if we need to hear our people far and wide. Our long serving prisoners in prison should also be given a chance to air their views in the review of the constitution. What say people? Juki Fong Chew Nadawa, Nasinu
Sports and politics
Rajeshwar Ishwar Lingam does not want to see our 7s rugby living legend Waisale Serevi go into politics. He says: “Dear Serevi please do not mix politics with sports” (FT 9/6). I wonder as a sports enthusiast what Mr Lingam makes of FIFA president Infantino awarding Trump their inaugural “Peace Prize” and Trump with Netanyahu launching a war on Iran a short time after? That was mixing sports with politics, wasn’t it? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Election and property
As elections loom
As election promises begin to fill the airwaves and politicians from every corner of the political spectrum tell us how they intend to solve the nation’s problems, I’d like to ask them a simple but important question: How many of you have ever truly stepped into the shoes of a struggling family? Not for a photo opportunity. Not for a carefully orchestrated media event. But long enough to genuinely experience the daily reality faced by thousands of ordinary people. There are families who lie awake at night wondering how they’re going to put food on the table tomorrow. Parents who stand at supermarket checkouts calculating which essentials they can afford and which they must leave behind. Mothers and fathers struggling to pay rent, utility bills, school uniforms, books and supplies for their children. Many are borrowing money from relatives and friends simply to survive. Yet even then, they find themselves sinking deeper into debt, unable to repay what they owe. The financial pressure is relentless and the emotional toll is immense and crippling. When families are pushed to the brink, the consequences extend far beyond empty wallets. Stress fuels arguments. Relationships begin to fracture. Children absorb the anxiety around them. We see increased domestic conflict, alcohol abuse, substance dependency and a host of other social problems that often have their roots in economic hardship. Politicians frequently speak of policies, budgets, statistics and economic growth. But behind every statistic is a human being struggling to make ends meet. If our political leaders genuinely want to understand the challenges facing the most vulnerable members of society, perhaps they should spend a week living as they do. Walk where they walk. Worry about the bills they worry about. Feel the weight of uncertainty they carry every day. Only then might a politician gain a deeper appreciation of what many families are enduring and be better equipped to create solutions that make a real difference.
Leadership isn’t measured by promises made during a campaign. It’s measured by understanding, compassion and meaningful action.
Our people deserve nothing less. Colin Deoki Australia
Property insurance
It is tough learning most citizens cannot afford property insurance. It all augurs well for those in life’s comfort lanes. The poorer simply cannot afford this necessity. For too many of us, betrayed surviving senior FNPF pensioners, life in retirement became harder to live since 2012. It is cruelly harder today for many of us. Some are in their twilight zones in our 70s, 80s and 90s. The elderly continue to be dealt painful blows each passing day. Justice is so elusive. The then FijiFirst government, by their cruellest and heartless decree, an act of power and authority, forcibly reduced our pensions. This was first class stealing. Many of us after taking some pensions, withdrew lump sums out of fear and panic. The rest is history. We suffer greatly today against life’s challenging twilight years. We beg restorative justice and restitution. “Man made decrees by an illegal government, can be changed by an elected, compassionate and respected Coalition Government.” We wait. Patience wanes. Tomorrow maybe too late for one of us. The authors of the above heartless decree are reminded: “Thou shalt not steal. Do unto others what you have them do unto you. What you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me.” One day Mafatu. Your “favours” will be returned to you most proportionately. God is just. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
