Brave Fijiana return home!
After playing eight games away from home, the Senirusi Seruvakula-coached Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua returned home.
The Fijiana played six games in the Super W competition and remained unbeaten.
The side defeated the Rebels (66-5), Queensland Reds (27-12), Western Force (45-17), NSW Waratahs (29-10) and Brumbies (17-7), an then outclassed the defending champions 32-26.
The side played two Tests against the Sakura and Wallaroos, and lost both matches 28-14 and 36-19, respectively.
After being away since the start of the Super W season, the side needs a well-deserved break and a little time with their loved ones before they hit the training ground.
After all, the side, which is ranked 21st will want a polished effort in the Women’s RWC in NZ, beginning in October, where they will face England (ranked 1st), France (ranked 4th) and South Africa (ranked 13th).
England won the 2017 Women’s RWC, while France finished third.
The side has a mountain ahead of its campaign, and I wish them all the best!
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
2006 coup
Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum claims “the motive of the 2006 coup was completely different from the 1987 and 2000 coups” (FT 10/5).
I believe the purported motive of the 2006 coup is one thing and the real motive quite another.
That is often the case with all coups everywhere.
I believe the most common motive is a power grab and subsequent reasons are advanced as justifications for the coup.
In any case whatever the purported motive of the 2006 coup like the earlier coups, I believe it took the country backwards.
It damaged the democratic foundation on which independent Fiji was built.
We are still recovering from the damage done on many fronts as many independent observers point out in their reports.
Rajend Naidu, Sydney, Australia
Academic commentators
After reading the response from honourable Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum it appears that the likes of USP Economist Neelesh Goundar, Wadan Narsey and Biman Prasad have a lot to learn from the man in charge of Fiji’s economy.
I believe a brilliantly compared situation and statistics between Fiji and Sri Lanka was presented by the A-G.
You see there is a huge difference between academics like Neelesh, Biman and Narsey and Hon Khaiyum.
They have never had any political experience in running a country and only involved in lecturing, workshops, seminars etc etc., whereas Hon Khaiyum has hands on job experience.
He has practical experience and economic knowledge which he uses quite professionally and intelligently not only as Minister for Economy but as Attorney-General as well.
Academic commentators lack hands-on job experience and are more theoretical in nature so my advice to them is let A-G handle the job.
The country is now witnessing a resurgence in the economy due mainly to Hon Khaiyum’s policies, reforms and experiences gained over the years.
I believe the economy is now steadily recovering with positive indicators.
I believe the Government handled the COVID-19 crisis smartly where almost 100 per cent of the population were fully vaccinated which no country in the world could match and the timely reopening of our borders.
This revitalised our tourism industry, revived business and returned thousands of workers to work.
I believe these critics were vehemently opposing these measures.
I believe Neelesh and Narsey’s views have more political connotations and less genuine in its presentation.
I believe these academics should provide a balanced and a fair comment and not one that is tainted with politics.
I believe as Biman’s sidekicks they are best advised to remain in their academic fields.
As for Wadan Narsey, I suggest he use his economic expertise by offering sound economic advice to the Federal Government of Australia.
Tarun Tikaram, Marine Drive, Lami
Parliamentary privileges
Since the debates in the August House have recommenced, a lot of verbal crossfires could be heard.
Members of Parliament are entitled to utter many things without much consideration though.
That is because of the legal immunity as part of their Parliamentary privilege.
But I believe if the press or voters even mumble truth, they could be liable for legal action.
Something I am still analysing and could not digest is that someone in that very house accused Communications Fiji Ltd (CFL) and The Fiji Times of “inaccurate reporting without any fear”.
Why should a media organisation or journalist be fearful if they are reporting the truth?
Only those journalists who may speak lasulasu need to be fearful.
I was always taught only to fear my karma (deeds) and God Almighty.
Even our Coat of Arms has this quote, “Rerevaka na Kalou ka doka na Tui,” meaning “Fear God and Honour the King.”
Truth is always bitter, yet truth alone triumphs.
DINESH KUMAR, Ba
Girmit Day celebrations!
When I think of the treatment that was handed to Professor Brij Lal and his wife Padma Lal, children of indentured labourers, who were banned from entering Fiji, and the fact that Mrs Lal’s wish of bringing Professor’s ash to his motherland was denied, it hurts me to even think about celebrating Girmit Day.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
2006 coup
I believe Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has no right to talk about the motive of the 2006 coup simply because he was not there.
I believe a coup is a coup whatever the motive of 2006, the country is worse off than where it should have been.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Thank you
Thank you number 7 (Raymond Singh) for your kind words.
I look forward to coming to the Lautoka Golf Club.
I have a photo to show you.
Allen Lockington, Kava Place, Lautoka
Football blueprint
Now that we have a football blueprint we are expecting football standards in our country to go the next level in years to come and for us to be at least start beating our Pacific neighbours.
Pranil Ram, Votualevu, Nadi
Electric vehicles
They said the slow transition from fuel to electric vehicles will help reduce the fuel import bill.
Ironically, these vehicles need electricity to charge and we are still heavily dependent on generators to cater for our electricity demand.
These generators need fuel.
Speechless saraga o au.
Wise Muavono, Balawa, Lautoka
Now or never
On a lighter note, reading The Fiji Times (6/5), I saw the heading “Why now Mr Narube?”
I smiled remembering Elvis Presley’s song, “It’s now or never”.
Mind you I forgot all about Elvis’s other song titled, “I had it my way”.
Korina Waibuta, Knollys St, Suva
Military exercise
China’s armed forces carried out another round of exercises near Taiwan (FT 10/5 pg25).
First the military exercises then the war of invasion.
That’s what Russia did near the Ukraine border before the war of invasion.
Should anybody be surprised if China does the same?
Rajend Naidu, Sydney
Media Act
I believe the Media Act will only be reviewed when the government changes.
Dan Urai, Lautoka
Work of journalists
The Fiji Times (7/5) reports that the use of legislation to criminalise journalists who publicise ‘contrary to the public or national interest’ is poorly defined in law.
Presumably this ‘public and national interest’ covers items such as those which might foment public unrest – are racially insulting – personal insults – and criticism of the powers that be.
Interesting!
Tirades of that sort are commonplace on social media and yet there is no legislation, clearly defined or not, that condemns those who daily abuse others on the web.
And social media providers for the most part refuse to censor these harangues – in the name of free speech!
It is odd, is it not, that those who make a living by endeavouring to employ free speech to inform the public of what is going on in their nation and around the world, especially politically, have to self-censure in fear of the law imposing fines, or in some countries, imprisonment: indeed a fear of a law which is not clearly defined, which in itself is surely a questionable legality?
There were 293 journalists in jail in 2021 – up from 2020 and likely to rise again this year.
Some of these journos are imprisoned in foreign countries.
But, on the other hand, millions of people by means of social media, worldwide, verbally abuse each other, foment uprisings, post compromising photos of those they dislike, and even drive each other to suicide – with impunity!
Where is the logic?
Sue Cauty, Pacific Harbour
