Moral compass
It is indeed sad to read and hear of current “happenings” in our nation, especially with behaviour and attitude of leaders. What is noticeable is the greed and selfishness. Those that are entrusted with sacred duty of public service have instead turned public office into a marketplace for personal enrichment. True leadership is not measured by how much one can take from the people, but by how much one gives to them. Our leaders must be reminded that power is a privilege, not a licence for greed and selfishness. The moral decay in governance can only be cured through honesty, integrity, transparency and accountability — values that define the very idea of nationhood. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Please allow our conscience to guide us along the right path. God bless Fiji. Paul Seforana, Ba Town.
Look in the mirror
Thank you Professor Wadan Narsey for your thoughtful article in Saturday’s FT 08/11. It is really disheartening when you say, “when a nation begins to lose its people, it is not the migrants who have failed, it is the policy makers who have stopped imagining a future worth staying for. Fiji deserves leadership that restores that imagination, rebuilds trust between government and citizen”. Those of us who worked all our life building homes, saving money to secure children and grandchildren’s future, are now at a loss to see empty homes with television and social media for company. I hope this Coalition Government takes note of the contents of the article. Rakesh Chand Sharma Adelaide, Australia
Follow the money
There has been a significant increase in remittances in recent years, with a projection of around $1.4billion for 2025. In the year 2000, it was less than $200million. I wonder if drug money is slipping through under the veil of remittances. That is the only other industry that has spiralled out of hand, and one that cannot be declared as export income legally. Remittances are possibly the easiest way to bring that money in, as I believe the authorities don’t question money coming in. Drugs and money go hand in hand. Authorities need to follow the money. Kiran Khatri Samabula, Suva.
Reckless drivers
I salute and congratulate both the Land Transport Authority and the Fiji Police Force traffic officers concerned for the cancellation/suspension of five drivers’ licences in the Central Division. The Western Division, especially along the Martintar-Denarau bypass and Denarau Rd have an equally high number of reckless; dangerous and speeding light and heavy PSV drivers. The insufficient numbers of high visibility traffic officers (both LTA and police) allow these repeat offenders to get away consistently. Believe me, jumping red traffic lights is a common occurrence. Overtaking recklessly through diagonal lines is standard practice by such offenders. Doing nightly noisy sprints after midnight are regular “show off acts”. The festive season is nearing. This is an excellent time to put such “culprit drivers” on quick notice. No mercy. Pull them up. Fines are not deterrent enough. Suspension or cancellation of drivers’ licenses work better. Please commence a blitz effective immediately. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Expatriate coaches
To get a winning formula in any sport, we need expertise and their input to turn the team into winners. This has been proven by Ben Ryan, Gareth Baber, past rugby league and netball coaches, and is still the practice in the Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne. When a local takes over, we have noticed the downfall, defeat, humiliation and most important of all the lower in ranking we fall. We can work out the sport’s team that has been downgraded. Especially the Fiji Bati, they used to be a feared team in the world but not anymore. Our netball team at its worse ranking ever. Our football team we have been sending to the under whatever category and developing for the past decades. We keep saying we have learned a lot and will improve in the future. When will that future be? The national 7s rugby team, for the first time no one knows what’s happening and where they are heading next and who is in the team. There was great publicity in the past and every fan was always updated. Tomasi Boginiso NSW, Australia
Tradition, culture and arrogance
Only a short 80 years ago, Japan was the most arrogant, violent and frightening nation in the world. The atrocities they committed were unspeakable. It was part of their proud tradition and culture for thousands of years. They were set in their ways, and it was the accepted way to do things. Two atomic bombs later, the Japanese people are the humblest, the most respectful and undoubtedly the most advanced nation in the world. All the tradition and culture of arrogance is gone, never to return — all in a short 80 years. In Fiji, the arrogance and stupidity of people is so palpable that one can almost touch it. To change this tradition and culture of arrogance in Fiji, there is no need for a calamity such as an atomic bomb. All Fiji needs is something very small, like a Mickey Mouse to change things. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Remembrance Day
There they forever lie, the brave, the fallen. There they finally died, some remembered, some forgotten. There they shed their blood so precious, for king, queen and country, so that we can enjoy peaceful co-existence, in tolerance and understanding. In faraway fields they lonely lie, under the stars on soil that’s foreign. In war graves at home under the sky, some fondly remembered, some quietly forgotten. On the reddened poppy fields in Flanders, the brave fought and died, as well in so many theatres of conflicts and wars thereafter, so that we can live our lives. On Remembrance Day and other days, we should pause to fondly remember them, for what they ultimately paid, let’s not forget all the brave and fallen. So, at the going down of the setting sun, in the dewy dawn of a crispy morn, the “Last Post” and “Reveille” honours every one of them, Lest we forget any of them! On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, pause, remember and say, “I’ll wear a blood red poppy for the brave and the fallen, lest we forget to remember them today!” Edward Blakelock Pacific Harbour
Stop feeding and start fixing
Looking at this issue from public opinion seems to be a generous, caring, loving or whatever wording you could think of to support these cause. But for a person who has been through this scenario such as Mataiyasi Yaya, he seems to be against this method and says there are other options. Makes sense, the more we feed, the more they come, the more mercy we show, the more lazy they become. Let’s start thinking and get them something to do and pay for a start, help them in other ways rather than only feeding them. Get them to a different environment for them to know that there are other options. Hopefully they will see changes as Yaya has been through. Tomasi Boginiso NSW, Australia
Title stripped
In England, a Prince has been stripped off his title for his wayward ways. In Fiji, a wayward government minister has not been striped off the title. Instead the minister has been retained in a more important portfolio. That tells us a good deal about the political set up we have in place in Fiji at this time. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
