Police support
On Tuesday (12/11) in the 7pm FBC News Commissioner of Police Qiliho commented “Sections of the media and society are always quick to speak out against police when we are accused of any brutality but in this case, ever since we lost Constable Siuta and all these incidents – nobody except the Government has come out to speak in support of the police.
Nobody whatsoever. Nobody sent us a condolence message, nobody thought about the poor policemen and women out there looking after them.”
Here is the link -–– https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/qiliho-questions-lack-of-public-support-for-police/.
I would like to correct the commissioner; there were numerous condolences messages from the public on the Fiji Police Force Facebook page regarding the sad passing of the late Constable Siuta Niumataiwalu and the tragic circumstances around his death.
In addition, there were also numerous messages from the public on the Fiji Police Facebook page and in press letters sections condemning the attacks on police and speaking up in support of the police.
Unfortunately, I would also like to bring to the commissioner’s attention if he is not aware of how, in some cases, members of the public are treated by some members of the police when we call to report illegal or anti-social behaviour which is why there is still frustration among members of the public.
While some police officers do try their very best, there are others that simply do not care, or are sadly too lazy to carry out their duties and I would be happy to discuss my comments with the commissioner.
SANYA GAIN Lami
Times option
Commissioner Qiliho says the force did not receive any messages of condolence and support at the tragic murder of a young officer recently.
Well, I sent one as part of a “Letters to the Editor” in the Times, but of course he does not read the Times.
I am certain the Times editor would have said something in an editorial, and a few other contributors as well.
If I was to have a Facebook page, I would have posted it on the police website.
If he read the Times he would note my support on taser use, of course there are risks involved with them.
With the escalation in crime, drug abuse and assaults against police officers, what options are there left?
Hand guns or calling in the army?
Read the Times commissioner, you will find more support than you think.
Have your PR people give out replies to media questions from the Times instead of running for cover.
ALLAN LOOSLEY Tavua
Ban on the Lals
Anish Chand’s article, Lals ban into Fiji (FT 13/11) based on an interview with Professor Brij Lal himself provides a clear account of the Fiji government’s extremely punitive action against the leading Fiji historian and his wife who is a preeminent economist and environmental scientist.
In late 2015, a petition by academics, members of the clergy and the civil society crew addressed to the prime minister pleading for the ban to be lifted was hand delivered at the Prime Minister’s Office.
To this day there has been no response to the petition by him or his office.
As those who are aware of the ban against the Lals, the National Federation Party’s Professor Biman Prasad has urged the government to lift the ban on a number of occasions to no avail.
The ongoing and unexplained ban on Professor Brij Lal and Dr Padma Lal is arbitrary and borders on the irrational.
It also reveals a level of pettiness and vindictiveness against a Fiji-born couple highly respected by their peers that is unprecedented and mind-boggling.
PROFESSOR VIJAY NAIDU Raiwai, Suva
Mandatory testing
Now that acknowledgment is forthcoming from high places that hard drugs could be an inducer for violent crimes, as a second call, why not make it mandatory by law that violent offenders and re-offenders be tested for drugs?
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Our roads
Government has spent huge resources on our roads and rightly so.
This is the main transportation link for our people on land enabling us to access various services for our development, progress and survival.
I have driven through many parts of Viti Levu including the deep interiors of Naitasiri, Ba, Ra, Serua and Namosi.
Although some roads in these areas will need upgrades which I believe are already in our government’s future plans, none is more urgent than some of the roads on the south-eastern coast of Cakaudrove.
After leaving the comfort of the Hibiscus highway at Kasavu, there are a handful of places where the road is so narrow and very rugged which can be widened and have their surface improved.
At Bagasau, we might as well remove the cracked tar-sealed road and turn it to gravel.
The huge potholes between the junction to Drekeniwai and Vunimokosoi forces vehicles to weave their way like a snake disregarding the existing traffic laws.
But I feel that the biggest threat of all is the coconut trees sung by Laisa Vulakoro O Na’obo o Na’obo….. veiniuniu e batini wa’olo.
Many of these coconut trees are more than 20m high and their upper reaches are vertically in the middle of the road. We are not talking about five or 10 coconut trees here.
There are hundreds of them from Bagasau, Buca, Takavesi, Kanakana, Koroivonu and right up to Karoko.
Imagine if one of those coconuts falling from over 20m high hit the windscreen of a passing vehicle? I beg the hierarchy of the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) to please visit these places, do your own assessment and remove the risks that may threaten the lives of our people.
TIMOCI GAUNAVINAKA Waila, Nausori
Teachers’ issues
Months away, teachers were promised pay increments after completion of their annual performance assessment forms. For whatever reasons, it appears their wait will not be ending any time soon.
I hope their forms have not been sent for measles vaccination or got caught in the ice storm.
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Side effects
With all due respect, are there any side effects when one receives vaccination for measles?
An innocent question but perhaps worth asking.
FLOYD ROBINSON Toorak, Suva
Diabetes drugs
According to statistics 30 per cent of the population of Fiji have diabetes, is medication freely available in our hospitals?
ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Lautoka
Police tasers
Let’s give it a try. Say for six months.
Give the police a chance, they are our protection.
But they too need protection.
SUNIL KUMAR Lautoka
Boom and doom
Last year we heard Boom-Boom and this year we hear doom-doom.
NARDEO MISHRA Suva
Under siege
Could the police force be under siege from their own? Missing breathalyser analyser, hot water on a victim to name a few.
ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Lautoka
Police respect
While I sympathise with Tudravu and the force, I believe respect is given when gained.
Please change tactics and work with the people.
DAN URAI Lautoka
Trump’s case
I don’t know what to make of Trump’s characterisation of the Democrats relentless pursuit of his impeachment as a “lynching mob”.
What is becoming apparent by the day, from damning witness testimony of high officials, is that the impeachment noose is tightening around Trump’s neck ( see PBS NewsHour 6/11 ‘ Impeachment hearing’ ).
There are far better qualified people to tell us why Trump should be impeached than the likes of Mareko Vuli who claims he shouldn’t (FT 7/11).
Vuli clearly needs to school himself on how the impeachment process works in America’s democracy and not merely parrot what Trump and his Republican mob say.
Finally, talking about defending the indefensible, that’s precisely what Vuli seeks to do in his letter.
He pays no attention to the evidence being presented to the House Intelligence committee on Trump’s impeachment but instead regurgitates the Republican propaganda.
RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
