Trees over the road
Tree branches lapping over road makes it difficult for big trucks to use the road going in the same direction. At times heavy-duty vehicles such as those transporting cars etc, need to use the opposite lane. Would relevant authorities look into this for immediate action? JAHEED BUKSH Korolevu, Nadroga
The survivor
Hats off to Lavenia Malama of Nabua Road, Nabua, Suva, for the great narrative titled “The survivor” (FT: 13/06)! Madam, I was touched by your letter. The words written came from your heart — shows the passion that you have for writing and the newspaper that holds a special place in the hearts of thousands of Fijians here and those who opted for greener pastures. I quote these lines, “To me, The Fiji Times has always been a feast for the mind and soul. This paper doesn’t just inform. It feeds. It fires up. It fills you and still leaves you craving for more. The Fiji Times stands as the nation’s Holy Grail, a beacon that refuses to do dark.” I must say, a vivid and heartwarming expression about the trusted brand that withstood 16 dark years and the oppressive and frightening Media Industry Development Act (MIDA). Indeed Lavenia, the people’s newspaper, stood the tribulation of all times and never backed down. The Coalition Government received the biggest applause when it repealed MIDA as it ended those dark days that the media industry went through. The Fiji Times will remain the voice of ordinary Fijians. To Fred Wesley and the team, keep striving and aim for a bigger and better media engine room for Fijians. To Lavenia, we shall cross roads! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Ministry directive
In early Term 2, the Education Ministry had directed the head of schools that the Term 2 and Term 3 coverage of work must be completed by end of Term 2. This had created unnecessary anxiety not only for the head of schools and teachers, but also for the students and parents. Schools re-arranged their teaching timetable and began morning and afternoon classes to ensure they complied with the ministry directive. It created unnecessary hassle for parents and students, waking up early, catching buses or trucks to be in school by 7am and then labouring to focus in class until 5.30pm and then reach home by 7pm, if lucky. No consultation, no feedback from schools regarding public transport. Just pure directive. And this week, in a face-saving communique from the permanent secretary for Education Ministry, he says “completion of work coverage in T2 had been an ongoing practice for years”. If such was the case, then what was the reason for the earlier directive? Now the communique says, “schools in Fiji will continue to operate as normal”. What a joke? Seriously? I do not want to believe it, but unfortunately, I have to, that the Education Ministry is the most uneducated ministry! Arun Prasad Dilkusha, Nausori
Discuss this
The leader of Unity Fiji says Fijians should stop electing coup makers. After almost 40 years, little does he realise that Fijians would rather have donkeys as leaders than anyone else. We all know that hope and reality are two different things. I believe it has to do with Fijian traditions and culture which seems to be defined by forgiveness and prejudice — both racial and religious. That will continue because Fijians are blessed and god-fearing, not to mention the smartest people in the world. I am not saying this. Just ask them. But Fijians are not alone in thinking that way. The Americans are the same. And then they all complain — in Fiji and in the US. Discuss. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Coups and benefits
Twenty-four years on, former journalist Josefa Nata has finally acknowledged what many have long argued, the coups of 1987 and 2000 brought little, if any, benefit to ordinary iTaukei Fijians. In fact, he confesses that indigenous Fijians are worse off today and warns against supporting any future takeover carried out in the name of indigenous rights. On that point, Mr Nata is absolutely correct. It would be interesting to hear whether George Speight, the public face of the 2000 coup, shares the same assessment and is prepared to acknowledge the damage caused by those events. The reality is that political upheaval, instability, and economic disruption rarely benefit ordinary citizens, specifically the indigenous populace. The people who are promised the most often end up receiving the least. There is a reason why 75 per cent of those living below the poverty line are iTaukei, despite the past coups. Nishant Singh Lautoka
Blue booklet
Our people have become so interested in travelling abroad that the blue booklet is like hot cake. The number of citizens waiting to collect their passports or lodge submissions for new passports is high. Sometimes the wait is quite long and frustrating, often testing one’s patience. On one hand, this is a plus, as individuals migrating for greener pastures are likely to send money or remittance back home. On the other hand, our nation appears to lose more skilled and experienced workers, creating critical gaps in various sectors of the economy. Whatever ones views, the availability of our blue booklet has an influence on the state of our economy. Please do not lose your copy or you may have to join the waiting list. Floyd Robinson Micronesia
Pray and vote
If you look at the number of registered political parties gearing up for the upcoming political campaign, bear in mind that each party will come to you with two kinds of people, I believe, you should never trust. Therefore, I have no doubt they will engage religious leaders who will tell you how and who to vote for and then on the politicians turn, they would tell you how to pray. AREKI DAWAI Suva
Fuel, gas prices
Strange! The increase in fuel and gas prices was effective immediately. Now for the reduction we need to wait for a month or so. And how do you justify an increase of $9 for a 12kg gas cylinder? Need some changes at the FCCC! Vijay P Madhavan Borron Rd, Suva
Hero or villain
Wow! Colin Deoki popped the question (FT 15/6) regarding Bainimarama and his legacy. It is not often that I find myself agreeing with Rajend Naidu (FT 16/6) but his LTE nails it. In response to coup leaders, “The country did not benefit from their leadership. They did, and their cronies did”. Terry Hulme Eastwood, NSW, Australia
Hormuz and us
Screaming headlines saying: “Trump and Iran reach agreement that includes opening Strait of Hormuz”. So, things are going to get better, so I think. The first time FCCC increased the price of fuel, they didn’t follow the proper methodology, well, according to Mr Abraham. Please, this time, again, don’t follow the proper methodology, kerekere. Bring down our pains. Donald Singh Nausori
Soccer and Constitution
Fiji soccer
A local soccer district team had posted on social media last week that the FIFA World Cup will be kicking-off soon and that the “big one” will follow suit. The “big one” referred to was the Fiji Football organised Fiji Football Association Cup Tournament (Fiji FACT) that will be played in Labasa this week. I’d rather watch cartoons. Curacao, a country in the Caribbean, with a population of approx 159,000, is tussling it out with the “big boys” on the world stage, while our national side is having difficulties beating Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga. Kaise bhat, Fiji Football. Anthony Sahai Levuka, Ovalau
Constitution and pensioners
Reference is made to a letter titled “Constitution and pensioners” in your esteemed newspaper, The Fiji Times (15/0626) by a regular writer Ronnie Chang. He makes a very powerful narrative on the issue and I wish to congratulate him for his courage of conviction and forthrightness in raising the issues. His reference to Archbishop Loy Chong’s stand on the 2013 Constitution of Fiji makes a lot of sense. Yes, the 2013 Constitution is a draconian piece of legislation which I believe was conceived and drafted by satanic forces. I believe it was never discussed or passed in Parliament. This Constitution was thrust down our throat and we are still struggling to free ourselves of this evil handicraft. In 2012, the FijiFirst government in convenience with the FNPF Board broke the legally binding contracts and reduced pensions drastically. Thus reducing the FNPF pensioners as paupers on the street. They raped and assaulted the rights of the FNPF pensioners. As if this was not bad enough; they introduced Decree 51 to stop the pensioners from seeking justice in the courts of law. And yet we keep claiming that we are a democratic country. I am flabbergasted that the Coalition Government has failed to remove this piece of draconian legislation. Is it by design or simply the fear of being taken to the camp for interrogation? Whatever the reason, the 2013 Constitution of Fiji is hanging like a curse over our heads. I wonder what has happened to the Fiji Human Rights Commission which has remained mum on the subject. Are they too scared of the interrogation? Can the FNPF pensioners get some support from FHRC? Or the conscience is dead! Let me remind you that the spirits of David Burness, Jackson Mar and all those who died because of this gross injustice will not leave you alone. You have to pay for every drop of the pain the FNPF pensioners have suffered. I have often heard that this is a listening government. Therefore, I assume that the Coalition Government will listen to the plight of the FNPF pensioners and do the right thing by paying them what they deserve. Thank you Ronnie Chang for your support. Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
