Wairuku Primary School library
John Kamea’s two page Sunday article (31/5) about the new library at Wairuku Primary School, Ra, named in honour of Sir Ratu Sukuna, stirred happy memories of my daughter’s days there some dozen years ago, and the voluntary English reading classes I took twice weekly before normal classes began. The school library then was a sad uninspiring affair. The tiny well-kept library in Vaileka Town used by children from Penang schools after school would shortly close down. Libraries, school and public, require good books, imaginative librarians, and ample government resources. In a low-income country like Fiji with few bookshops (if any) worth the name, libraries are in every sense nurseries for intellectual growth. Christopher Griffin Perth, Australia
Political rumblings
The next general elections for Fiji is just around the corner and political rumblings are gathering winds of sorts. Inia Seruiratu, the Leader of the Opposition in the parliament has announced the formation of People First Party and its readiness to contest the next elections. Seruiratu claims that the former members of the FijiFirst Party have goaded him to form the People First Party and serve them. This is bad news for the Fijian people as the traumatic memories of FijiFirst government are still very fresh in our memories. It ran a Gestapo style police state terrorising Fijians at all levels. Gagging the media, tapping phones, punishing social media critics and sending dissenting voices in police cells. Fear was lurking from every nook and corner. Therefore, the use of People First sends negative vibes to the electorates. People do not want to be associated with a tyrannical government. FijiFirst has left a bitter taste in the mouth and the thought of it sends shivers down our spine. I think this is a huge mistake by Seruiratu and his supporters. This is a Himalayan blunder! Seruiratu was a trusteed member of the FijiFirst Party and knew very well the workings of the inner circle. The top brass of the FijiFirst Party have been branded as corrupt and court cases are still progressing against some of them. Therefore, I see this as political suicide on part of People First Party to align with FijiFirst. Furthermore, Inia goes on to pontificate about the new style of leadership and new direction based on the dictates of his religious beliefs. His call to conduct campaign truthfully, ethically, avoiding deception and committed to integrity. Wao, this is really out of the ordinary run of political happenings. He is in a mission mode to serve people faithfully. He is talking more like a church preacher than a politician. He calls on politicians to have high moral standards and behave like Christ with commitment to serve people. The political message from the leader of the People First Party is mind boggling to say the least. Fiji cannot afford to have another political upheaval. We have already lost a huge chunk of our credibility as skilled people continue to leave our shores enmass. I can only say best of luck to Inia Seruiratu and his newly formed political party. Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva
Stop the theatrics!
Theatrics. That’s the apt description of the action by the group jumping up and down holding vanguard sheets with rants written on them outside the venue of the Fiji-Israel meet. Hon PM is correct in saying that Israel’s human rights record is none of our business. The lawmen were correct in halting the protest nonsense. We are a struggling nation, and we have been scraping the bottom of the barrel for many years. Right now, any type of cooperation with any country, even those countries doing slightly better than us, is welcome. We are alright with international relations with the USA, Australia, China, New Zealand, India, Japan and Korea. But somehow, walking and talking with Israel rubs up some people the wrong way! FWRM and their liuliu might want to be reminded that beggars can’t be choosers. Fiji needs more assistance from outside now than at any point in time in the past. If even North Korea came with a bag of goods, I’d be alright seeing the red carpet rolled out for Kim Jong Un. Russia is always welcome anyway. Lavrov is a great speaker. Ladies, please stop the theatrics. We are in a bad place right now. Leave international politics and decisions to the leaders. Looks like there’s not much to do at FWRM. Open a bean cart for a change! Donald Singh Nausori
Strengthening ties
Fiji has been strengthening ties with all and sundry countries since this government came into office. Currently they are strengthening ties with Israel. And rightly so because Fiji is really Little Israel located in the Pacific as they have realised recently. There has been so much strengthening of ties in all sectors of the economy with so many countries over the last four years. Recently they strengthened ties in the tourism sector, then there was strengthening of ties in the education and hospital sector. A lot of these strengthening of ties has happened with Australia under the vuvale partnership and rightly so. What will Fijians do without help from Australia? Last year the President went to the United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland and India to strengthen ties with those countries. The PM went to PNG to do the same recently. There is no other country that has the ability and the talent to strengthen ties like Fijians do. Fiji has a secret formula to strengthen ties. That is why Fiji and Fijians are doing so well. Just ask the Government. One must look around to see all the benefits of the strengthened ties with all these countries. Fiji must be the most “strengthened tied” country in the universe and I do not believe anyone can take that away from Fiji. The GCC will visit India and Britain soon to strengthen ties even more. I believe Fijians have a better talent in strengthening ties then they have at playing rugby. And that is why I will say again, Fijians are truly blessed they have this government. Please do not stop using that term from now on because of me. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Wickets and all
Newly appointed Cricket Fiji chief executive officer Anushil Kumar, the immediate past CEO (acting) of Bula FC might want to talk about the jersey deal with the RK21 brand now. Or has he signed a keep-quiet agreement with Bula FC! Ok, it’s called NDA. The wickets need to fall in soccer! Donald Singh Suva
Right to protest
Yesterday’s front page posted the picture of PM Sitiveni Rabuka and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar after the press conference. The two pages that followed had a picture of the staff and supporters of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, claiming to be pro-Palestine supporters, protesting the opening of the new Embassy of Israel in Fiji. While the group spokeswoman, Shamima Ali, expressed disappointment over police action, Sa’ar indicated that Israel would work with Fiji on development and security co-operation. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Police in force
I couldn’t help notice the presence of large numbers of police and police vehicles at the peaceful protest at the FWCC over the Israeli embassy opening in Fiji. To use The Fiji Times editor in chief Fred Wesley’s expression that’s “very interesting” because often when the public ask for police action the common excuse is no vehicle is available. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Instead of ribbons
Instead of cutting down ribbons, please cut ribbons for increase of minimum wage rate if not this time all of you good to go forever. Jaheed Buksh Korolevu
Issue of karma
I believe when corrupt people are rewarded with good things, bad deeds fall on the family. Dan Urai Lautoka
Israeli embassy
The opening of the Israeli Embassy should not be of concern when Israelis themselves don’t want foreign troops to fight for them. Israel will benefit us through its highly developed technology in science and agriculture. Indians are using Israeli agriculture technology to grow food in Rajasthan desert. Rakesh Chand Sharma Nadi
Price hike
If this prolongs, it won’t be just a fuel crisis. It will be a crisis that pushes basic survival (eating) out of reach for the middle to lower income earners. There will be a collapse of household purchasing power. Sobo! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
FNU levy and fuel crisis
A wake up call
Every time fuel prices rise, the effects ripple through every corner of Fiji. The taxidriver pays more to keep moving, the farmer spends more to transport produce to market, businesses face higher operating costs, and families feel the squeeze through rising food and utility prices. Yet, after each fuel crisis, we seem to return to business as usual until the next price shock arrives. The real question is not why fuel prices are increasing, but why Fiji remains so vulnerable to them. As a nation that relies heavily on imported fuel, we are exposed to international events beyond our control. Whether it is geopolitical conflict, supply chain disruptions, or fluctuations in global oil prices, Fijians are often left paying the price. This raises an important question: how long can we continue relying on a resource that is both expensive and unpredictable? Rather than viewing the current fuel crisis as merely a challenge, we should see it as an opportunity to rethink our future. Firstly, the Government could accelerate investment in renewable energy sources such as solar power, particularly in rural and maritime communities where fuel dependency is high.Secondly, incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles, along with improvements to public transportation, could gradually reduce our national fuel consumption. These solutions may require significant investment today, but they could save Fiji millions of dollars in fuel imports over the long term while strengthening our energy security and supporting environmental sustainability. The fuel crisis should serve as a wake-up call. The cost of doing nothing may ultimately be far greater than the cost of change. Peni Vula Vunisinu, Tacirua
FNU training levy
I write as a concerned citizen and long-standing observer of Fijian public policy to express serious concern regarding the continuing redirection of the one per cent FNU employer training levy. Since 2019, approximately $F152.4million has been collected through the levy system. Of that amount, only about $F15.2million has reportedly reached workforce training, while approximately $F137.1million has been allocated elsewhere under the post-2018 funding model (FT 04/02/26). These figures raise legitimate questions about whether the levy is continuing to fulfil the purpose for which it was originally established. No employer body appears to have sought a ruling from the National Training Appeals Tribunal established under Section 29 of the Fiji National Training Act (Cap 93), nor has a constitutional challenge been pursued despite concerns raised publicly by employer organisations and industry groups. The continued absence of legal clarification is increasingly difficult to understand. Employers continue contributing to a compulsory levy while the recently released National Skills Gap Assessment Survey identifies 95 occupations facing recruitment shortages and more than 300,000 workers remain represented within the levy system. These workforce challenges make it reasonable to ask whether the current funding model is delivering the outcomes originally envisaged. I respectfully encourage the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation, the Textile Clothing and Footwear Council, and other affected employer associations to consider all available legal and administrative avenues to obtain clarity regarding the levy’s purpose, governance and future direction. Such action would not only assist employers but also help ensure that the skills development needs of Fiji’s workforce remain at the centre of national policy discussions. The issues raised are ultimately larger than funding alone. They concern accountability, transparency and confidence in a levy that has played an important role in Fiji’s workforce development framework for more than five decades. Dr Sushil K Sharma Lautoka
