Loganimasi impresses
It doesn’t come to me as a surprise that 7s star Ponipate Loganimasi impressed Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s team head coach Osea Kolinisau. Loganimasi, who was a replacement to Selesitino Ravutaumada, stood out with a strong show against the Brave Blossoms, scoring two brilliant tries. The skills, that made him an explosive 7s player, proved lethal in our defence of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup title. In his first outing in the FIJI Water Flying Fijians outfit, Loganimasi has showed that he will be a contender for that jersey in the Autumn Internationals plus the 2027 RWC 15s. But for now, let Loganimasi concentrate in winning our first gold medal in 7s since 2022. The drought is having a negative toll on passionate fans. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
The truth
Interesting to hear PM Sitiveni Rabuka’s recent statement, that recently-pardoned George Speight should share the truth about coup of 2000. I personally feel this should really start with PM Rabuka regarding first coup of 1987, which began the culture of coups. He should share with the nation the truth and nothing but the truth, surrounding that infamous event and how he was influenced to undertake that treasonous act? My question is — what difference is there between PM Rabuka, former PM Voreqe Bainimarama and George Speight? Is it the cover of a clause in the constitution to absolve the two military individuals from charges of treason? We Fijians are also guilty of supporting and approving this treasonous act by electing coup-makers to the high office of prime minister. We all know deep within us (conscience) that all three men committed the highest offence of treason (no matter how much we try to justify). To those opposing Speight and fellow coup-makers’ release, please ponder this. Let’s forgive and forget the past as we strive for a better and prosperous Fiji, moving forward. God bless Fiji. PAUL SEFORANA Ba
Speight’s release
Unfortunately, we shall never get to know who were the real culprits behind the 2000 coup. I personally believe that the organisers and implementers of the coup, those cowardly hidden faces, sure as anything did not include Speight. I believe Speight was a convenient scapegoat, a fool for sure, believing that he would somehow be given some imaginary position of power in the after coup government. After Voreqe Bainimarama neutralised the coup, guess who was left holding the bag, Speight. I can’t say much for Shane Stevens, but who knows, he probably suffered the same fate, holding the bag. The real culprits, if they are still around, are walking free without a care in the world for the havoc that they instigated on the people of Fiji. DONALD T PICKERING Matei, Taveuni
Arms trade
Bharat Morris wants to know “Is India the only country involved in the arms trade?” (FT 24/9). India is a relatively small player. The big league players in the global arms trade are the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany with the United States as the biggest manufacturer and arms dealer in the world. According to Amnesty International, “it is estimated that the total value of the global arms trade is at least $95billion”. Oxfam International reports “Top five arms exporters hit yearly sales of $85billion as 9000 people die from conflict-driven hunger every day”. Global military spending reached $2.2trillion last year, enough to cover the UN appeal more than 42 times (published May 22, 2023). What a tragedy for humanity! RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, Australia
Pardon not enough
George Speight and his 2000 coup associates have been pardoned with mixed reactions from people. We all suffered because of these events and the nation faced setbacks for years to come. We do need to move forward to rebuild our lives and the nation as well but we also need surety that such events don’t re-occur anymore. Thus, along with pardoning, certain legalities need to be put forward to forbid recurrence of such nation damaging events. Just pardoning does not fulfill the purpose of nation building and security for future generations. Once damaged, depending on those who stand up to lead, it takes years in developing the country and regaining trust. PRAMEETA CHAND Suva
City mall
Bob Marley once said, “How long shall they kill our prophets?” I ask, how long shall the people of the sweet sugar city pay the special city rates that have been charged for more than two decades? Can the CEO of Lautoka City Council confirm or deny that the council continued to borrow from lending institutions and refinanced the loan taken out to build the Sugar City Mall which is now in a dilapidated state and needs a major overhaul? I guess they will have to refinance the loan again to carry out the maintenance work. DANIEL LAWS LAUTOKA
Emergency lights
Is there any reason why police vehicles nowadays are flicking the emergency lights when on the road? Surely it must be shortening the battery life and cost the force a bit more. What a waste! PITA SOROAQALI Rakiraki
Fresh heads
I certainly believe that the FWRM is in need of younger and fresh women to head and steer the organisation out of its current tantrum, outmoded leadership and the same old tune, I must say. AREKI DAWAI Suva
Russia-Ukraine truce
Rajend Naidu need not worry about Indian arms reaching Ukraine. It will be PM Narendra Modi who will broker a truce between Russia and Ukraine. China is not acceptable to USA and USA and its allies are not acceptable to Russia. RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Public holiday
Can we have one “Clean Fiji Day”? ASISH VINAY PRASAD Raiwasa, Suva
Drug menace
The Deputy Prime Minister Hon Biman Prasad is right to ring the alarm bells, while speaking at the closing of the Gold N Water Carnival on Saturday in Tavua. Drugs pose a dire threat to individuals, families and Fiji as a whole. We must heed his call and actively combat this scourge. Education awareness campaigns and community engagements are crucial in deterring drug use, especially among our youth. Strong law enforcement is essential, but so is rehabilitation and support for those struggling with addiction. By acknowledging the gravity of the drug problem and taking decisive action, we can protect our communities and secure a brighter future of Fiji. AVENAI SERUTABUA Serua
Speight on his own, never a threat
My comment on the PM’s view that “Speight not a threat” (FT 24/09) is that George Speight only became a threat to former PM Mahendra Chaudhry and his FLP-led democratically elected government in May, 2000 because of RFMF’s CRW soldiers’ guns, and the mob that gravitated to the parliamentary complex in Veiuto. And although the media here in Fiji and abroad continue to write about “the Speight coup” and the “civilian coup”, the fact of the matter is that without the gun men, there would not have been the 56 days of hostage taking in the hallowed parliament area.
The mob duly desecrated the complex. Others of their ilk engaged in arson, looting and plunder, destruction of property, harassment and intimidation, and violence against innocent civilians on an ethnic basis. This was made possible by the incompetent and ineffectual police leadership at that time. While the terrorist hostage-takers incapacitated Chaudhry and his government, the CRW putsch was eventually unsuccessful. Its mouth piece, namely George Speight failed to form government. The actual 2000 coup took place when Voreqe Bainimarama as the then commander of RFMF demanded that the then late president Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara “stepped down”. He was supported in this outrageous disloyalty by the late commissioner of police, the current PM, and a former RFMF commander and son-in-law of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. He then unconstitutionally formed a government of his choice and replaced the elected FLP government. Fortunately, his attempt at abrogating the 1997 Republic of Fiji Constitution was unsuccessful. Speight and his supporters’ terrorism was ended when Bainimarama and the RFMF responded to disarm and immobilise them.
Without the gun men and the lawless mob, Speight was and is no threat to Fiji, and its law-abiding citizens. PROF VIJAY NAIDU Suva
Golden lift
After scooping the Best Sportsman Award at the 2023 Fiji Sports Awards, weightlifter Taniela Rainibogi delivered another powerful performance during the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship at the Vodafone Arena. Rainibogi made Fijians proud with his success as he lifted 167kg in the snatch and set a new Commonwealth Games record on clean and jerk with a lift of 211kg. He secured a gold medal at the Championship. Rainibogi displayed exceptional strength and skill to accomplish an achievement worth celebrating. It’s a delight that Rainibogi has set his sights on the upcoming Commonwealth Games in December, determined to continue his success on the international weightlifting stage and inspire the next generation of Fijian weightlifters. Our weightlifters made the tiny island nation proud, and I urge the Sports Minister to please reward them for their fine efforts. On the other hand, I was pleased with Eileen Cikamatana’s success, and I wish her all the best for her endeavours. Her loss is huge for Weightlifting Fiji. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu
