One newspaper
A CERTAIN airline and several hotels are known to distribute only a certain newspaper for its daily clientele, aligning with the former dictatorial government. Who remembers the “kava monkeys” on the front page, being quickly recalled from distribution at the start of the 2019 ADB annual meeting?
Let’s hope that a change in government will address the poor behaviour of these certain tourism stakeholders and pay devotion towards the short-sighted decision makers for their political bias.
RICK EYRE Labasa
‘Unprecedented Government’
IS it me or do I sense a hint of sarcasm in Jan Nissar’s letter on this subject (FT 2/08)?
I hope he realises that a government isn’t the solution to everything. It is a little silly and ignorant to be yelling about “the gummint”.
In a democracy, you, your neighbours, and everyone you know is “the government”.
Thus the responsibility of seeing a nation succeed is a shared one.
The moment a government uses the word “permit” as a verb as opposed to a noun in its interaction with the public, you know you have lost your freedom.
After 16 years people finally have the permit to do things on their own. I see he has dropped his derisive use of the phrase grog dopers in reference to folks in Fiji.
Change of heart, maybe?
PRANEET SINGH Sacramento, CA
So little answers
SHORTLY after the new Government took the reins, there were complaints lodged against FijiFirst general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum followed by complaints about Opposition Leader Voreqe Bainimarama.
Though there have been reports of Mr Sayed-Khaiyum being questioned, twice at least, we don’t have much clue on what’s happening with the latter’s case.
There are so many questions surrounding these two FijiFirst members and so little answers.
Some progress would be great.
NADIA NAAZ Sydney, Australia
Corporal punishment
INTERESTING to read Dewan Chand’s letter of February 8 regarding his opinions on the above subject with respect to this being undertaken in schools in some form or other.
Corporal punishment by definition is, “a punishment which is intended to cause physical pain to a person”.
How can you have a society that considers deliberately inflicting physical pain on a child is acceptable whereas a husband deliberately inflicting physical pain on his wife is breaking the law.
I suspect those that consider corporal punishment on children are the root cause of many behavioural problems, they are most likely the lazy ones that look for a quick poorly thought-out solution rather than spend their time addressing the numerous other punishment options available.
GRAHAME STAGEMAN Lami
Debilitated members
THE irregular attendance of the debilitated members of Parliament at official reception is a sign of party discord and childish manner, but I stand to be corrected otherwise.
Those MP’s were voted by the people to be the representative of the people and not for their own accord to be an amateurish representing the people.
I will not be surprised if that powerlessness party decides to disband from the lack of genuine leadership, inability to control the government, and it’s financial toxicity.
AREKI DAWAI Suva
Traffic congestion
FORGET the environmental impact, but has the council realised what a traffic disaster a $600m project close to Suva City will be?
All major developments should happen at least 10km away from Suva City.
This will allow the traffic to spread and ease traffic congestion.
The risk of traffic blood pressure is real.
KIRAN KHATRI Samabula, Suva
Well done Ba
INDEED, a milestone achievement by Ba football as they became the new Futsal IDC champion dethroning the reigning champ Suva 7-6 in the final at the Vodafone Arena last Sunday.
This success means the Men in Black have now laid their hands on all the major soccer titles that are fought for locally.
Their already heavily decorated trophy cabinet welcomes a new addition at last.
All the hard work and dedication by the players and their trainers over the years finally turn their dream to a reality.
They all deserve recognition and acknowledgement for their gallantry and the result attained which makes the whole district proud.
However, there are not too many times that such a glory comes their way like it used to be in the past.
Not too long ago Ba was known to have lifted at least one major title every year, that is not the case now.
At this juncture, I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank FBC for the nice coverage of the whole tournament.
In fact, they covered the entire proceedings without charging the viewers a single cent.
Such gesture of kindness and thoughtfulness is highly appreciated.
Last but not the least, Fiji FA also deserves acknowledgement for entertaining us every year.
Thank you.
Suresh Chand, Nadi
Head coach
SEVEN months to the 2023 Rugby World Cup and we are still without a head coach. It’s fine, we just on Fiji time.
WISE MUAVONO Balawa, Lautoka
Minimum wages
MINIMUM wage is the legal remuneration employees can receive.
It was first motivated as a way to stop exploitation of workers.
Overtime, it came to be seen as a way to help lower-income families. Effective from April 2022, the rate increased from $2.68 to $3.67 and should be $4/hr as of yesterday.
Leave alone the very high costs of basic food items we are experiencing, is the current rate liveable?
SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi, Nausori
USP grants
IT is indeed heartening to learn that the Rabuka Government would be releasing $10m to the University of the South Pacific.
The holding of the grant by the previous government surely was in bad taste.
I am sure the Minister of Finance will be able to divert the funds from the 2022-2023 Budget at the earliest to allow USP to carry out its plans and programs in an efficient manner.
The grant will surely assist our children too as they will be able to enter into more research and technical areas.
ARUN PRASAD Dilkusha, Nausori
Bigger fish to fry
HERE we go again.
The farm advisory staff are again being singled out for the woes of the ailing sugar industry.
Where is the business acumen, creativity and innovation, Hon. Minister?
SAMU RAILOA Nadi
Stray dogs
THE strays are at it again, it’s that time of the year.
Few months down the line, there will be an increase to their population.
Something needs to be done and done fast as our sidewalks are being littered with waste and flies carrying disease everywhere.
EDWARD KUMAR Lautoka
Lecture theatres
I FEEL it is time secondary schools should have lecture theatres.
ASISH VINAY PRASAD Raiwasa, Suva
Moral strength
Oh LORD, hear the cries and pain of the helpless citizens of Turkey and Syria and may you bless the souls of the departed.
Many thanks to the White Helmets, Turkey and Syrian rescue and medical workers, international search and rescue workers, and volunteers for their act of moral strength to save others.
AREKI DAWAI Suva
Pay package
CAN the COC reveal the pay package for the former SOE, COMPOL and CJ.
AMOL KUMAR Lautoka
Habosi deserves a second chance
IT saddened me to read that Fijian Drua player Vinaya Habosi had his contract terminated with immediate effect because of a high-level breach of the code of conduct.
Habosi, 23, was the breakout star of Super Rugby Pacific, with his lighting pace on the wing.
He was dubbed as the Drua’s X-Factor.
Having made his debut against the Waratahs in round one last year, Habosi played 11 games for the Drua. He made headlines as the season progressed and scored five tries in seven games to earn a call-up to the Flying Fijians where he made his debut against the Ikale Tahi in the Pacific Nations Cup scoring on debut in Fiji’s 36-0 win.
He played six games, scoring a double against the French Barbarians.
Habosi is a lethal and explosive winger and has pace to burn.
I urge the team management to have a counselling program for players.
After all, Sevu Reece, who had a case to answer, went on to play for the Crusaders and made a name.
He has been part of the All Blacks 15s team’s success as a winger.
If Sevu can be given the second opportunity with the Crusaders and ABs, why can’t FRU consider Habosi’s case?
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
Mangroves issue
Mangroves are vital and necessary to the coastal marine ecosystem and the surrounding biodiversity.
(FT 07/02) To cut and destroy it, is to threaten that very link, as well as to take away the livelihood, of those who depend entirely on it, for their source of food.
If it is destroyed for the sake of development and progress, then what are we developing and progressing towards, or are we progressing backwards to an unstainable red and brown environment?
EDWARD BLAKELOCK Pacific Harbour
Tribunal hearing
I BELIEVE those public servants implicated in various accusations of professional transgression should be given a reasonable opportunity to defend themselves if they have vehemently denied claims of any wrongdoing.
If found guilty by the tribunal, these accused individuals should subsequently be dealt with in the severest manner possible (prison would be a feasible option).
And no, conveniently handing in a “constructive resignation” in order to save face and avoid being questioned just won’t cut it.
Gone are those “happy” days.
NISHANT SINGH Lautoka
Manhole minister
I REFER to the ongoing Eye Witness reports of manhole problems highlighted in The Fiji Times (FT 8/2).
I am disappointed the new Government did not appoint a minister for manhole given the seriousness of the problem in the country.
RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
