Bala’s criticism
Opposition MP Parveen Bala has “slammed” the Coalition Government for its failure to hold local government elections. However, Bala, a former minister, conveniently overlooks his own party’s record during its reign in power. Specifically, under the authoritarian FijiFirst regime, which brutally ruled from 2006 to 2022, local government elections were not held for eight years. This obscure delay occurred despite the fact that Bala himself served as the local government minister during a period when his government blatantly failed to coordinate the much anticipated municipal elections. This criticism highlights what some see as political opportunism, with Bala pointing fingers at the current Government while seemingly disregarding his own party’s inadequacies. He should be “slamming” his own party members for not fulfilling their assurance of conducting local government elections in a quantified timeframe. Nishant Singh, Lautoka
Pomp and ceremony
Last week about a hundred partners of those working under the PALM Scheme went to Australia to join their partners. There was great pomp, ceremony and celebration for the opportunity which has been opened for these partners. It was like they had won the lottery. Why was there such great pomp, ceremony and celebration? Is there something wrong with living in Fiji? Who did these people vote for that they cannot pack their bags fast enough? Jan Nissar, Sydney, Australia
Be a gentleman
TO that faint hearted businessman. If you got a problem with my letter, respond via the same forum, I surely will reply, if I see it worthwhile. No need to cry in front of my family members. Be a gentleman. Kirti Patel, Mohan Singh Pl, Lautoka
Climate change projections
NEWS has it that recent projections from the ADB estimate that climate-related losses could reach 4 per cent of Fiji’s GDP by 2100 unless urgent action is taken. That’s another 76 years before that or worse or maybe less bad happens. But let’s look at the significance of such projections and numbers. News also has it that Fiji’s representatives have outlined Fiji’s approaches to finance climate resilience, including the ECAL, which funds critical work to protect natural resources, lower carbon emissions and adapt infrastructure. All that sounds good on paper, like almost everything else does. The world is indeed fighting a phenomenon that is climate change. We have the proponents of the theory which puts human activity as the cause, and then we have proponents of the same theory without human reasons. I won’t dare get into that kachkach lest I be stung by proponents of either or both theories! So, regardless of how it came about, if climate change is projected to affect our GDP by 4 per cent in the next 76 years, then we have ample time to grow our GDP by a consistent percentage each year, or each election term, or each five-year DP, or okay, every 20-year DP to be able to ensure that we are still doing good after 76 years. I could pen equally convincing pieces, both for and against climate change. I wonder how many of those on that COP29 trip could do that. Essay writing is indeed an art, and journal writing is a trade for those who continue to milk millions and billions from the theory on the global stage. If Fiji could also successfully lobby for a decent share of the milk, that is real money, we could build those hundreds of sea walls to protect vulnerable communities. I choked on my coffee when I read that the talk going on in Baku was in the trillions! COP30 will have its own theme and narratives, and plenty individuals and organisations will have become a million or so dollars richer between COP29 and COP30.What matters is how much actual funding will come Fiji’s way from whoever is dishing it out. We could send the same size contingent next year, or double that, or maybe 10 people who know the scientific side of the phenomenon to the next COP. I read somewhere that it’s not the size of the dog in the fight that matters, but the size of the fight in the dog that matters. Donald Singh, Suva
