Stick to COVID-safe protocols
We are trying very hard to normalise things in Fiji. Vaccinations are reaching the expected numbers. For this I acknowledge our frontline workers, who may have been away from families for months. Containment zones have been opened. Police and military personnel have spent hours working double shifts in the blazing sun and rain and cold. For this I acknowledge them. While things are being relaxed we the people must still be careful and adhere to COVID protocols. ALLEN LOCKINGTON
Kava Place, Lautoka
Ethnicity issue
I remember quite vividly when people came during the census thingy. I was asked: “What race are you?” I was amused when the young woman said: “That’s not on the list.” I told her I was a fruit salad. Allen Lockington Kava Place, Lautoka
Powerful minister
I refer to the article ‘Lack of ‘ integrity’ : Shooting the expert messenger ‘ (ST 18/9 ). In it in his very rational defence of the authenticity of the data collected and published by Kemueli Naiqama, the Fiji Bureau of Statistics CEO, from the spurious attack by Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, renowned economist Professor Wadan Narsey describes Mr Sayed-Khaiyum as “the most powerful minister” in the current Fiji government. How has he become that? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Medal incentives
Did I miss out on any media coverage of our players receiving their incentive for winning medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics? Borders have opened and payment is due to our players. Jioji M Cakacaka Tadra- Votualevu, Nadi
Opening universities
The news of universities reopening came like sprinkling water on my heart. God knows how much I have waited for this news and I am sure thousands of others around the country feel the same. October 4 now feels really close and really at the same time because it is a joy to behold. The hustle and bustle of cars and buses and of course, the noisy students at Southern Cross restaurant, the entertaining tutors at my campus, the beautiful people around the car park and Damodar City (I mean my friends haha), and the sweat out at the gym, bring on university life! Raynav Chand Nakasi
Tuna flakes
Anthony Sahai, now that the containment borders have been lifted, you can send my carton tuna flakes. Or that was just one of your fragrant untruth? You and that Lockington boy really have the gift of the gab. Just like Satan! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Opposition parties
Does anyone in Fiji really believe that the opposition parties can fix any of Fiji’s problems? If they do, they must get their heads checked, seriously. So, the people of Fiji are stuck between a rock and a hard place. It’s time to do something about your situation by yourselves. Have Fijians ever thought of doing something for themselves by themselves, instead of waiting and praying and fasting because I believe that will never work. I believe that realisation should be apparent by now. Instead of hoarding 91% of the land and having an “all mine, so don’t touch” mentality, start developing the land. What are you waiting for? Jan Nissar NSW, Australia
We remember them
Respectfully, for the benefit of the younger, and not too young generations, with utmost care and discipline, when that dreaded leprosy was “first introduced” to Fiji, the lepers were quickly taken away in total isolation on “distant” Makogai. They were placed in the very special and devoted care of Catholic nuns. The Sisters immersed themselves amongst the lepers to care for them in true isolation. In all their memories, caregivers and patients and the deceased, please remember them all, in prayer, as Fiji faces a brand new norm with the deadly COVID-19 virus. (Please Google research one part of Fiji’s early history). Please say a prayer also for those who, for reasons best known to themselves, are contented not getting vaccinated. Their choices, though hard to understand, need to be respected, as painful as it can be. Tolerance, patience and understanding are not easy, sometimes. Most challenging, to say the least. There is a huge lesson to learn each passing day, in life’s earthly journey. We cannot please everyone; every day. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi
Data chief sacking
I believe the Government could have handled this matter better by swiftly negotiating a voluntary resignation for personal
reasons. BHARAT MORRIS Rifle Range, Vatuwaqa, Suva
Weak men
I BELIEVE only weak men prey on fear. DAN URAI Lautoka
Stay focused
CERTAIN restrictions being uplifted does not mean there should be lethargic attitude towards COVID. We are still not out of the woods yet. Keep that in mind. Let’s not take this freedom in a careless manner. KIRTI PATEL Lautoka
Shortcut issue
WITH border restrictions easing (vinaka PM) and social gatherings gaining momentum much to the delight of many, can whoever that is responsible for blockading the shortcut path (opposite Kuata St junction, Simla) leading up to the Lautoka Hospital please now consider removing it? I believe these barricades were earlier erected to prevent people from accessing the hospital and their tavioka plantations within the vicinity for “COVID” reasons. I could have done it myself as the path entrance is only gridlocked by old PVC pipes and a few sheets of rusted gothic mesh, but then I didn’t want to get into any sort of trouble with the authorities, specially the Hilux gang. Khol doh please! NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
Swimming pool
ALMOST a year ago, it was reported that FICAC had begun investigations into the $12.6 million Lautoka swimming pool project which had an initial budget of $2 million. According to media reports, the project started in 2015. Could the Attorney- General update the nation on the progress of the mentioned investigations and current status of the project? MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Electoral system
The system of using a person’s accumulated votes such as the political party’s leading candidate’s high number of votes, to qualify entry of another or others from the same party with very low votes, to enter Parliament. (As per the D’Hondt Electoral System) is of concern for two reasons. Firstly, I believe this is institutionalising injustice as it renders people with fewer votes than those with far more, to enter Parliament. The major reason for concern here is what has long been imbedded in the people of Fiji by common practice over time – and thus, innate in them. This is the concept of majority rule. This has been the accepted rule in decision making which citizens have been using every day and all their lives e.g. while at school to their adult life; in organisations and areas of work. Hence, majority rule, which is also used to decide the passing of Bills /Motions in Parliament, is the deeply revered and accepted concept of a just parliamentary system. Appointment of party leaders are also decided by it. Citizens therefore find it more acceptable that only candidates who individually carry the most votes of the people of the nation (not the political party’s), justly have the mandate of the people to govern them – i.e. the people. To the people, these candidates qualify to sit in Parliament as the law makers of the land and that they are a fair and true representation of the majority of people’s votes. This is because I believe the votes of the people earned by each individual candidate, is the true measure or indicator of that individual’s value or worth in the eyes of the people. That is, to truly earn the mandate of running government. However, in the last two elections, this long held principle of justice was perceived to be distorted or negated when the electoral system allowed other issues to take precedence over the individual candidate’s votes, in the equation. This saw many candidates with far lower votes than 1000 sitting in Parliament…as a ruling party while those with far more votes in other parties, were either sitting in as an opposition party or are/were disqualified. This, I believe, nullifies the “one person, one vote, one value” principle. Secondly, and of far greater concern, is that, I believe this system encourages or can sow the seeds of dictatorship or autocracy or even totalitarianism. This is because there would be a natural tendency for the one who got into Parliament on another member’s votes e.g the party leader’s or two leading party candidates’ votes, to forever owe his or her presence in Parliament to that leader or two leaders. I believe this breeds obligation by such a parliamentarian to comply or to “toe the line” or to be at the mercy of the leaders who got him/her in. Hence, I believe the person would be forced to agree or disagree according to the dictates of the leader and not to what that Parliamentarian personally thinks. A real danger and concern felt here is because of the absence of a Senate or Upper House in Fiji’s current system. With a One Chamber Parliament that has no Senate where there is another set of decision makers to further closely scrutinise, assess, evaluate and pass Bills from the lower Chamber or House of Representatives, the one ruling party makes all final decisions. I believe this situation means that we have already compromised the basics or cornerstone of a truly democratic system of government. With this and having only one or two people in the political party pulling in or pooling….the rest of the candidates with their votes to form a majority in Parliament and be the ruling party, all motions/Bills- whether good or bad that are put through by the government
side, I believe will be passed. Likewise, I believe all motions by the Opposition Party – no matter how beneficial, will be defeated. This is unhealthy as it creates a perfect environment for political dictatorship to thrive; or what the new termed coined now is, “unhealthy dictates of majority-ism”. It is consequently suggested that Fiji amends the electoral system to only allow all candidates with the highest votes to be the people’s representatives in Parliament. SUSANA TUISAWAU Wainivula Rd, Nasinu
Wear masks
ON Saturday 18th, at The Arts Village Shops, Pacific Harbour, several people had to be told to wear their masks; they were under the impression that masks are no longer necessary because borders are now open. One man who did not even have one with him, when asked where his mask was, replied that there is no need for a mask now – the borders are open – no more COVID! This misconception that the open borders mean that there is no more COVID is without doubt very serious indeed: and needs to be debunked, loudly and repeatedly! SUE CAUTY Pacific Harbour
Harsh reality
AS I read about the sacking of the CEO of the Bureau of Statistics, Kemueli Naqama after the Attorney- General’s criticisms (FT 16/9) I can’t help but to be reminded of the opening scene from the movie The Dictator. The movie, described as a political satire comedy, tells the story of ‘The Dictator’, General Aladeen. Hosting his own Olympic Games, the movie opens with the general at the starting blocks of a running race. Before the starter gets a chance to fire the starting pistol, Aladeen pulls out his own gun and fires at the starter. The race begins but any competitors who outrun Aladeen are quickly shot at, along with any official who tries to help them. Aladeen declares himself victorious, draping himself in the flag of his country and in the wake of officials and competitors sprawled on the track not feeling very well. The main differences between this scene and the firing of Mr Naqama is that the movie is fiction and funny. Sadly, the latter is the harsh reality of what is happening in our ‘democracy’ and there is nothing funny there. JULIE SUTHERLAND Tamavua
Abrupt dismissal
IT has been reported that, at the direction of the Minister for Economy, Fiji Bureau of Statistics CEO, Kemueli Naiqama was dismissed, apparently escorted out of his office by security personnel. The reason for the abrupt dismissal of this senior public servant, a qualified and experienced demographer and statistician was Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s strong disagreement regarding the 2019-2020 Household Income and Expenditure (HIES) Report’s ‘lack of integrity’. This is the subjective view of a politician. I have perused the report and find it to be completely transparent, verifiable and replicable. The sample of 6000 is clearly explained in terms of number of households by divisions, urban, rural, ethnicity and religion. The findings of the survey are plausible and useful for policy making. National HIES reports are nearly always subjects of debate and discussion. Besides the findings, questions can be asked about the poverty line including adult equivalent measures, basket of goods and services used, population and sampling. The analysis of the survey involved the University of Bristol and the World Bank which presumably ensured high standards and international comparability regarding the consumption-based survey as well as the inclusion of multi-dimensional measures of poverty. I find the report to be professionally prepared. The claimed issues relating to it do not justify the summary firing of a respected and well qualified senior public servant. PROFESSOR VIJAY NAIDU Suva
