Nobel Peace Prize RAKESH CHAND SHARMA NADI
DONALD Singh need not get perturbed on the issue of Nobel Peace Prize. It is now the “Deep State” that decides who will be the recipient of this prize. Honestly speaking, I do not consider it a prestigious award any longer. A 2006, Nobel Peace Prize laureate like Mohammed Yunus of Bangladesh was installed as Chief Adviser of government after “regime change” operations in Bangladesh. Under his watch, minority Hindus, Christians and Buddhists were raped, murdered and their properties burnt. I strongly believe that this year’s awardee, Venezuelan pro-democracy activist’s profile is being raised to prepare for regime change operations. Already, US Navy ships are standing outside Venezuelan waters and F35 fighter jets are flying around Venezuela. You don’t need navy ships to fight drug cartels.
Honour Bound DEWAN CHAND SUVA
REFERENCE is made to the article (Honour Bound) in the Opinion column, page 40, of your esteemed newspaper dated 11/10/25 by Colin Deoki of Melbourne, Australia. On behalf of all FNPF pensioners, I wish to thank him for the moral integrity issue that he has raised. He has hit the nail on the head, but alas, Fiji is not what it used to be in the days of his father Andrew Deoki, the former attorney-general. Times have changed and values have altered. There is no care of duty any more. It is simply brute profiteering at the cost of FNPF pensioners. The core group of pensioners have been battling for the last 18 months to get justice for the pension loss they have sustained under the Bainimarama government. The current government has restored the pensions to its original rate as it was in 2012. For this the pensioners are deeply grateful. However, since then the negotiations have been stalled. The Minister of Finance has not been able to give us some clear indication of the direction we are headed into. A meeting with the FNPF board has fallen flat on its face. They have indicated in no uncertain terms that the responsibility lies with the government of the day. The FNPF board can only apply the rules as enunciated by the existing law! …Decree 51?….matter has been raised in the Parliament. Time is running out for most pensioners and we are caught in a catch-22 situation. Finding time to meet the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance is extremely difficult due to their busy schedule. It is often said that justice delayed is justice denied! Well here is a case of justice gone to sleep for ever, it seems. However, we still have high hope in the current leadership to rescue the FNPF pensioners before they all die. Please help, we are reaching a mental breakdown point and St Giles Hospital is already full. I still believe that a miracle will happen. Thank you Colin Deoki for your kindness.
Intoxicated neighbours RONNIE CHANG MARTINTAR, NADI
SADLY, ever-so-sadly, we get to live among some inconsiderate intoxicated neighbours who live at the cul-de-sac in McElrath Crescent, off Gray Rd, Mountainview, Martintar. We were disturbed the whole night on Saturday, October 11, 2025 until well after sunrise. Such people who do not care for their very own peaceful neighbours are just not responsible enough to handle alcohol wisely. This is a gentle request to them to try to be considerate, please. Senior citizens do deserve decent sleep and rest, in our twilight years, especially on Sunday morning.
Overspent funds SELWA NANDAN LAUTOKA
KIRTI Patel is absolutely right in calling out for more accountability from those concerned regarding the overspending of the budgeted funds by the Ministry of Education. Merely downplaying or trivialising the seriousness of the over expenditure as nothing unusual for large ministries to overspend their budget is in my view tantamount to condoning such irregularity. But the bigger concern here is that the overspend was unauthorised. As the PSC chairman has pointed out “Overspending and then trying to justify it later is not good governance”. He further stated “But to go ahead and spend the money without proper authorisation is almost reckless and irresponsible on the part of the permanent secretary.” (FT 8/10). In other words, they failed to comply with the Financial Management Act 2004. It is the responsibility of the chief financial officer to ensure proper procedures are followed before approving the expenditure. It is also his duty to raise the alert with his PS if the allocations are running low. We are not talking about a small amount that can be accepted as an oversight or error on the part of those responsible. Apart from other implications, the additional funds will need to be sourced from some other allocation to meet the shortfall. Just like robbing Paul to pay Peter. It will also set a bad precedent for others.
Fiji Day SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI, NAUSORI
SO much has been viewed regarding the 55 years of Fiji’s independence. A few were negatively based whilst others, still hoping for a much better future. Fiji, in my view, like any other developing country, has confronted and endured through its fair shares of political, religious, traditional and economical struggles. Whatever that has transpired over the period, Fiji is still much better off, relative to general “standard of living”, than any other Pacific island. To those who have complained, demeaned, belittled and what not, please, just study the “founding people” of Fiji, the iTaukei. The indigenous, who have sacrificed so much with their land and resources and yet, received very little in return. Their identity has been reshaped to embrace multiculturalism, under “political tolerance”. Even the UNDRIP is yet to be “seriously” realised. Isn’t it something to at least, ponder on? If, for any other reason, whatsoever, living in Fiji is still unconducive, to anyone, try any of our neighbours, for that matter. Maybe, questionable conditions will be fully met. However, as patriots, we need to be very observant, to keep a democratically “good governance”, for any government of the day. God bless Fiji.
Migration trends VIJAY MAHARAJ SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
I HAVE closely followed the recent comments made by the Opposition Leader concerning the migration of Indo-Fijians under the current Coalition Government. He reckons more people are leaving under the current Government. I believe this is far from truth Mr Inia Seruiratu. I expected a bit better from you as a member of Parliament. The real migration of Fiji citizens mainly the Indo-Fijians started in 1987 after the first military coup. The trend continued and at a later stage other races including the iTaukei joined the queue. Under all previous governments, including Opposition Leader’s FijiFirst, the migration continued. Today, we can clearly see a shattered Opposition under the current leadership. He is desperately looking for a straw for his survival. The easiest way he could think of is to divide the Indian community by blaming the current leader of NFP and the Finance Minister Hon Biman Prasad for Indo-Fijian migration. I am glad that in response to his accusations, Hon Prasad came out strongly with factual figures of migration trends for the last number of years. With such statistical proofs there is no further ground for arguments.
Rugby tickets DAN URAI LAUTOKA
TICKETS for the Lautoka vs Nadroga game on Saturday was $10 embarkment. In a country where minimum wage is $5 an hour, the fee to watch a game of rugby is indeed exorbitant.
Thank you officers RIKASH DEO AUCKLAND, NZ
THANKING our tireless police officers in Fiji, working with whatever resources they have. Good help from the cameras in buses and outlets that’s helping to catch criminal elements. Working the with public will always have the best outcomes and support to curb crimes. God bless our police force.
Future of Fiji RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
CONTRARY to Ro Naulu Mataitini’s take on the pivotal role that PM Rabuka’s testimony will determine the pathway for a future Fiji (FT 12/10), I do not believe anything he says now — 38 years too late — will make any difference to the damage done to the fabric of Fiji’s democracy and multiracialism. That’s my frank view. It’s not for Rabuka to determine the direction for a better Fiji for the future. That’s for all Fijians to do.
Goat meat JAN NISSAR SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA is the largest exporter of goat meat in the world. Interestingly, Australians are the least likely to consume goat meat. Most of the exports go to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and other Asian countries. As does kangaroo and crocodile meat. I understand all the goat meat sold in supermarkets in Fiji comes from Australia. The question is, why can’t Fijians grow goats for local consumption so that they do not have to import from Australia? There is so much land, and goats thrive by themselves and do not need much looking after. So, what is the problem in Fiji? Too many crooks or is it the non-existent Fiji-style Fijian flair? In fact, with so much weed and grass on idle land being hoarded by landowners, goats would be a natural way of keeping the grass down. It would be a win-win situation. But there must be a logical reason for not using the land and continue to blame others for your woes. It must have to do with tradition and culture — I am guessing, unless there is another explanation. In any case, what would Fiji and Fijians do without Australia and Australians.
Football tournament a massive success RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU
BA’S iconic 4R Electrical Stadium, formerly known as Govind Park, was packed to the capacity and brim as fans enjoyed the performance of the Men in Black, which brought back the glorious days of the late Arjun Pillay, Farouk Janeman, and Julie Sami, Shiu Sami, Valerio Nasema, Allan Jesoni, the Delai brothers — Lote, Etonia and Meli, Lorima Batirerega, Josaia Bukalidi, Ravuama Madigi, Isikeli Seva, Saula Waqanicakau, Laisenia Tuba, Iosefo Vosaboto, Manoa and Esala Masi, Malakai Kainihewe, Malakai Tiwa, Shalesh Kumar, Isoa Ratuva, Avinesh Suwamy, Roneel Kumar, Peni Finau, Petero Daunisaka, Keni Doidoi, Shalen Lal, Tuimasi Manuca, Jope Namawa, Jope Naquruwati, Alvin Singh, Osea Vakatalesau, Luke Vidovi, Jone Vesikula, Kiniviliame Naika, Abbu Zahid and Ronald Lawrence and the likes. Those days teams feared Ba and playing at Govind Park. Ba’s historic achievements can never be challenged. It’s a pity that just like Manchester United’s Red Devils, Ba’s recent form had slumped, but under Praneel Dayal and the likes of Rodicks Singh, Josua Wilson and coaching legend Yogendra Dutt, Ba proved tactical and a rampaging beast in front of their home fans. They thrashed defending champions Labasa 3-0 in the semi-final and looked top bets against Fiji’s most consistent and number one football team, Rewa, which finished as runners-up in the Fiji Fact and Battle of the Giants tournaments and won the league for the second year running. I commend fans for turning up in numbers and making the FMF IDC tournament a massive success. Now that the 4R Electrical Stadium will host the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua versus ACT Brumbies on March 14, 2026, I’m looking forward to the battle. Ba did wonders. The tournament brought people alive and united Ba. Ethnicity and gender were put aside as fans joined in to cheer for the Men in Black. Ba Toh Ba hai!
