Community service
I COMMEND Susana Tuisawau for her very practical suggestion in her letter (FT 13/06) to use community service and community work as an alternative punishment for those who breach COVID-19 restrictions, for instance curfews. I totally support her view that the outcome can definitely be a win-win situation for the miscreant — to reflect on their misdemeanour by compensating the local community and the country as a whole — for the local community benefiting from the community work undertaken. It will also relieve the courts of the added strain and burden these daily cases create as well as indirectly addressing food security issues; climate change impact by planting trees; promoting the health of the offender, public health and cleanliness and so on. Yes, certainly a win-win situation. Other writers such as Jean Hatch have made similar suggestions in the past e.g. as a restorative justice outcome. If not already in our laws community service or work should be legislated as one of the options the courts have by way of punishing offenders for certain types of offences. The benefits this can have on the processing of cases and backlogs in the courts cannot be further emphasised. So, it is something worthy of serious and quite urgent consideration as a way forward for a win-win outcome. EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Lockdown option
OUR noble PM is absolutely spot on (FT 13/06). A nation like ours cannot afford a 28-day lockdown as this extreme approach would churn out a recipe for economic doom (khalas). With infections escalating at alarming levels, just wondering whatever happened to the years of explosive and unprecedented economic progress which would have financially sustained our ailing economy during this difficult period. Was there ever a so-called “Bainimarama/Khaiyum” boom? NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
FNPF assistance
FNPF members who have more then $20,000 in their general account should be allowed to withdraw upto $5000. The fortnightly assistance of $220 is insufficient. No matter how much we save and budget, we have to buy food and pay for utilities. That money is spent even before its received. How long can we take advances from our employers or help from family and friends. The prime minister says members are not allowed to double dip from millions of aid and grant money that’s given by foreign missions. Rumours are that FNPF doesn’t have much funds left since most of the money has been loaned. This will be an ideal time for the Government to put all the rumours to rest and allow those who qualify for bigger payout from the fund do access it. After all it’s not government assistance, but the members own money. If Government can’t allow a bigger payout then maybe rumours aren’t just rumours after all. NAVNIT AVIKASH CHAND Kikau St, Samabula
Only time will tell
THE Fiji Times of Saturday (12/06) is full of everything that at times we look for. Besides the world and the local news, it has a few interesting articles that caught my attention. In particular two writers gave a clear version of the current situation in Fiji. One is by Dr Sushil K Sharma who wrote about “Citizen Joe and the boom…” He followed up an earlier article by former prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry (F/T 05/06) and analysed the whole story beautifully. This article which is supported by facts and figures is an eye opener and makes very interesting reading. The second one is by Ajay Bhai Amrit with his topic “We now on red alert”. He gives special credit to our NGOs who are giving excellent service to the nation yet are being attacked by the people in authority. I believe this is shameful. If you cannot appreciate the outstanding work done by these groups, it is better to keep quiet. I request our loving Fiji Times readers to find bit of time, in case you missed it to read these articles. I will also wait to see if there is any response from the top Officials of our Government. VIJAY MAHARAJ, Sydney Australia
Astronomical events
WHILE we may have missed witnessing the “Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse” on June 10, there were some of the other great astronomical events starting from May 12, 2021. These were the New Moon Crescent; the spectacular display by the two giant stars, and the three terrestrial planets in the WSW. Following that the Lunar Eclipse of the Super Flower Blood Moon on May 26 2021. Most of these events have been sighted, however, a lot of “dust has been swept under the carpet”, with thousands here and many millions abroad being unaware how they may have been fooled too. At the onset, I believe Fiji had announced seeing that particular crescent just after sunset, the trigger to put the record straight and write on “Sighting the Young Lunar Waxing Crescent of May 2021”. Was this to be sighted less than 12 hours after the New Moon in the morning at 0700hrs on Wednesday May 12 2021? Wow! I have been a fan of these events since 1972, this arc becomes more visible as it ascends away from the extreme brightness of the Sun. However, I do salute this person for his pride in making such a claim, as in the history of Fiji — well since 1972 — no one has ever been able to see less than a 24 hours old moon. So, good luck to him in his forthcoming defences. As such you need to defend your sighting against the numerous world record-holders. In the end, perhaps two things are to be learned from here: Pagla Nahi Banao — don’t try to fool the literate world; and “just be truthful”. ANANDA MAYA KUMARAN Lautoka
Communication Issue
I LEARN from Richard Naidu’s article analysing the auditor-general’s role and appraisal of government’s performance (FT 12/6) that on communication with stakeholders, that is, the tax paying public the government’s performance was close to zero.How can that be when the government has engaged a communication consultancy media organisation Qorvis costing millions? Is that public money down the toilet? RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
A plea for food
AFTER the protest in Muanikoso, this time the residents from settlements located beside Nawaka in Nadi took to the streets to voice their frustrations and their need for basic food items and groceries. The situation on the ground looks dull as people make a plea for food on a daily basis. My team and I have been distributing food packs in the Suva-Nasinu corridor and we have also visited five HART settlements, and the response we received was overwhelming. People had no words left to thank us and after we left we continued to receive messages of thanks. Ordinary Fijians, who have been traumatised by the COVID-19 pandemic appreciate any little support that reaches them in the form of sanitary pads, medication, food supplies and essential items, and this is one reason I continuously commend the efforts of Samaritans and donors who take out their precious time and energy to reach these needy and desperate families. Times are hard, but I make a plea to those who can help — please reach out to needy families. God bless! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Vaccinating isolated communities
THE recent online news item showed a photo of a team of medical personnel trekking up a mountain track — probably perilous in places — to reach isolated pockets of rural communities sparsely spread out over treacherous areas in the mountainous Himalayan region. The aim was to vaccinate these pockets of communities against COVID-19 infections. What! You gotta be kidding! Are these uninfected communities not already isolated and physically cut-off from the rest of the infected world, as what lockdowns and so on, is trying to achieve? Are they not already cocooned and naturally quarantined in their own hard to reach bubble without any directive or intervention from the authorities? Why on earth would you want to infiltrate that bubble to vaccinate them? Granted, it may be a precautionary and pre-emptive measure to proactively protect them, but is the team not in fact directly and indirectly placing them at greater risk from being infected by their very presence there? While one is trying to do good, one is also creating unnecessary risks and possibly taking the virus to them. A real double-edged sword situation with probably one edge sharper and more deadly than the other. It’s also a case of why fix something when it’s not broken. That next news one will hear is cases appearing thereafter in those communities with tragic and devastating consequences. The mind boggles. Sega saraga ni macala! Anyway, lessons to be learnt for other places with similar pockets of isolated uninfected communities, I am sure. EDWARD BLAKELOCK Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour
Oceania 7s
I READ with disappointment the full page advertisement stating that SKY TV would “exclusively” show the Oceania 7s. If I am correct, the key word “exclusively” meant that the majority of viewers in Fiji like me on free to air TV would be missing out on this most popular of sports. I hope not. I earnestly appeal to TV1 or FBC TV not to disappoint their viewers and ensure that we would be able to see our favourite players live on TV. Go Fiji, go NORMAN YEE Martintar, Nadi
Bills
I SUGGEST that Bills be tabled in Parliament by the relevant line ministers. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Lockdown
THE decision to lockdown or not to lockdown will impact not only the economic issues of families, but it will also reveal the Health Ministry’s ability to deal with COVID-19 cases in our country. DEVEN SAHAY Lautoka
Tough times
THE people wanted the lockdown to be opened so it was opened by the Government, business houses cried about economic growth so the Government opened the lockdown. I just hope that now the lockdown is opened people don’t start crying to Government to do another lockdown because the COVID-19 is infecting more people. Anyways, the Government can’t make everyone happy all the time. Tough times require tough decisions. NARAYAN REDDY Lautoka
Office of A-G
WHY don’t we scrap the Office of the Auditor-General. Never heard anybody got prosecuted for misuse or personnal use of government money. I would be very grateful if brother Jan Nissar could write a few words on the scrapping of the Office of the Auditor-General. SUKHA SINGH Labasa
Food rations
THE average Fijian family do not have deep pockets. How is it so difficult to ensure families in areas in lockdown are supplied with basic food rations to sustain them for the period of lockdown. DAN URAI Lautoka
Stay home
PEOPLE are shouting to open the borders, but if you follow protocols this wouldn’t be the scenario. Stay home, stay safe. Don’t move unnecessarily for everyone’s safety. JAHEED BUKSH Korolevu, Sigatoka
Jabless card
WELL! Heard that some folks have endured the long queues at vaccination centres only to request for the vaccination cards without the jab, there may also be a hint of gratuity. This is a real concern if it is indeed true, but I’m sure it isn’t, must be another magnet type thing eh Scribe. NIGEL FIU Owls Perch, Lautoka
