US farcical intelligence – DONALD SINGH SUVA
AMERICA sent B2 bombers on a ten thousand plus kilometre journey to bomb Iranian nuke sites and had the bombers back home on a mission covering well over twenty thousand kilometres, and nobody knew about it. OBL was hiding in Abbotabad and US Intelligence got him eliminated with pinpoint accuracy without even Islamabad getting wind of it. ICE is sniffing out illegal immigrants at unprecedented speed.
Yet, American Intelligence could not pick out and eliminate a sniper taking position to kill Charlie Kirk and last year, they failed to spot the shooter who fired at Trump. So much for technology, intelligence and being the so-called world leader. Reeks of farce all-over.
Quarter-finals – SAVENACA VAKALIWALIWA TACIRUA
NEW Zealand defeated South Africa 46-17 and Canada demolished Australia 46-5. Watching the games from midnight Saturday to 3am Sunday was worth it as Canada was just clinical, played by the book and a joy to watch. New Zealand will have an uphill battle as it meets Canada in the semi finals but Kiwi fans know the All Blacks will give it their all. France is an impressive team and I believe they will defeat Ireland in their
semi final match from mid night tonight, while England the favourite, meet Scotland at 3am. I plead to all Fijians involved in our Fijian Women’s Rugby to watch and learn and copy additional tactics to add to our open Fijian flair.
SAMU RAILOA VANUABALAVU, LAU
TERENCE ‘Bud’ Crawford is seriously something special to jump up two weights to fight Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, one of the best in the business, and schooled him. Written off by many, Crawford said that he was there to create history by Canelo Alvarez (black/gold trunks) and Terence Crawford (black/red trunks)
box during their super middleweight title bout at Allegiant Stadium. being the first male boxer to be undisputed in three different weight classes. That was a masterclass, Bud. You’re the best of a generation.
Not to break up families – SAVENACA VAKALIWALIWA TACIRUA
THANK you Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, Agni Deo Singh, for addressing public concerns raised on social media, clarifying that the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme is intended to create job opportunities and improve livelihoods — not to break up families. (FT 12/9). Thank you for also highlighting the progress of the Family Accompaniment pilot program, which has already enabled 87 families to join their loved ones in Australia. It is also great to read that in October this year, four Ministry teams will travel across Australia to meet workers under the PALM Scheme, including those in the Family Accompaniment pilot. I believe that “not family separation” means helping married couples whose
partners are in Australia under the PALM Scheme to remain faithful and not break their marriage vows. The million dollar question I have been bringing up, is that under the Matavuvale Partnership and Government Policy, it is easy for those in Government to get their Visa Granted from the Australian Immigration? Is it
possible for the Fiji Government to make a deal with the Australian Immigration to allow partners in Fiji to visit their families under the PALM Scheme? Only partners can solve the “Not to break up families”, not the four ministry teams that will travel across Australia to meet workers under the PALM Scheme. It is heartbreaking for Fijian families to apply a couple of times for a Visitor Visa to visit their partners on the PALM Scheme in Australia, only to be refused all the time. Please Fiji Government, do the right thing!
Integrity on the line – RAHUL KRISHNA AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
THE recent revelations of police officers within the Narcotics Bureau allegedly tied to the drug trade are nothing short of alarming. The very institution tasked with fighting narcotics now finds itself tainted by the
same menace it is sworn to eradicate. This raises a blunt question: what calibre of individuals are being recruited into one of the country’s most sensitive units? When those entrusted to uphold the law are themselves implicated in crime, the system is broken. The bureau cannot afford to be a refuge for opportunists or compromised officers. It needs people of unquestionable integrity, backed by rigorous vetting and due diligence. Without a robust process, the bureau’s reputation will continue to crumble,
leaving the public to question whether the war on drugs is being fought in earnest — or lost from within.
If Fiji is serious about stamping out narcotics, accountability must start at the top, and rot must be cut out from within. Anything less will see the bureau’s credibility erode beyond repair.
Betrayal of trust – ARUN PRASAD DILKUSHA, NAUSORI
I CAN fully understand the Hon. Prime Minister’s outburst that he was not only angered but also embarrassed to learn that two of the officers of Anti Narcotics Bureau were found to be in possession of drugs, and that too, for wrong reasons. Certainly, they betrayed the trust of their seniors and the organisation they were supposed to serve diligently. The investigation that is going on might open up a can of warms. Betrayal of trust syndrome is hard to cure. We meet and see the rogue elements in every facet of our lives. I have seen the Prime Minister of Fiji being betrayed, the voters being betrayed, the patients being betrayed, parents being betrayed, students being betrayed and the teachers being betrayed and the list goes on. Betrayal of trust is very painful as well as very damaging. It kills the core value in us, the conscience.
Big defeat – FLOYD ROBINSON MICRONESIA
THEY were torn apart. They were blown apart by the Springboks. Just when one thought that they All Blacks were invincible like a dream team, the Springboks handed them an embarrassing defeat of 43 – 10. This is perhaps one of the biggest defeats suffered by an All Blacks team at home and a reminder that previous history does not count but what matters, is self belief on the rugby paddocks. Meanwhile, one looks forward the Canada versus Flying Fijians match.
FNPF issue – TAHIR ALI HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND
JUKI Fong Chew’s comments on clarifications of age 55 eligibility rate to remain at 55 (FT9/9) will help those needing finance from their savings as they worked. I feel the members should withdraw their money partly in accordance with their needs in these trying times. The rest could be left on pension in retirement, unless there is risk as it was in the 2012 decree. Be mindful to use our hard earned money to enjoy on our
retirement. It is better to live rich than to die rich.
Return to units – TANIELA SENIKUTA TAILEVU
DISBAND and return to units! Strong words from the line Minister on the newly formed Narcotics Bureau of Fiji. Added to that, the Prime Minister is equally angry and embarrassed! What more can we say?
