Unbeatable vibes
I want to extend a hearty thank you to the board, management, madam Burnes, and Team Extra for making the recent BOG tournament such a lively and memorable event in Ba. The energy from start to finish was incredible, but a massive shout-out must go to the entertainment lineup. The half-time shows, the brilliant Mata dance group, and the hilarious dance cam kept the entire crowd thoroughly entertained and smiling throughout. An event of this scale doesn’t just happen, and the seamless coordination behind the scenes was obvious. Finally, to Jim Tukuna — you are simply the best we have, brother. Thank you for always stepping up and bringing your absolute best. Vinaka vakalevu to everyone involved for putting on a fantastic show! ASHIS KUMAR Ba
Your SAY
Proper statistics
Fertility rate among indigenous Fijians and lower birth rate among Indo-Fijians need to be revised statistically. A family friend said her faith in one of the Christian denominations did not allow any contraceptive for birth control. Another young female neighbour said children were gifts from God where family planning should not be prioritised. Proper statistical records need to be revised for birth control, family planning and birth rates, irrespective of ethnicity among Fijian citizens. SARITA LAL Malolo St, Lautoka
AI guardrails
I wonder if our commercial and financial sectors already have appropriate AI-related guardrails in place? A simple example is to redact personal and private data – such as account numbers, bank card numbers — from information that can be accessed by the general public or unauthorised persons. This is just one example of something we can do to protect an individual’s privacy. In any case, we really need to be more than proactive on managing the related risks, as the technology is quickly overpowering our ability to manage and control its development. Let’s not be too late the hero and sleep on the job at hand! Edward Blakelock Pacific Harbour
Agni Deo Singh
Please allow me to write in this column about a great teacher, unionist, and Member of Parliament. It is with a heavy heart that I write to pay tribute to Hon Agni Deo Singh, who has passed away. Fiji has lost a teacher, a fighter, and a public servant who never forgot where he came from. Mr Singh began his journey in the classroom. In his early days as a primary school teacher, he served in Kadavu. There, among the iTaukei community, he enjoyed his work and gave his best. He never shirked his responsibilities. Perhaps that was a credit to his upbringing in Labasa – grounded, humble, and hardworking. He then rose to become the general secretary of the Fiji Teachers Union. In that role he was more than an administrator. He was the voice of thousands. He was instrumental in the transformation of the union headquarters at Berry Rd and in professionalising the house of teachers. But history will remember him most for one thing: his fight for teachers’ dignity. During his tenure he led the charge for better working conditions and pay increases for teachers. He argued with data, with passion, and with the moral authority of someone who had lived it. Because he believed a nation cannot prosper if it underpays the people who teach its children. In 2022, he answered another call to serve and entered Parliament under the National Federation Party banner. As Minister for Employment, he carried the values of the staff room into the Cabinet room – fairness, hard work, and respect for the worker. He was a man true to his calling. Well respected amongst his Fijian Teachers Association colleagues and across the education sector. From Labasa to the vanua o Nacolase, Kadavu, and to other schools in Fiji, and from the union to Parliament — he served with the same heart. To the students he taught in Kadavu, to the teachers he represented, and to the nation he served: Vinaka vakalevu, honourable minister, sir. You proved that a boy from the classroom can rise to lead an important ministerial portfolio, of Employment, Labour and Industrial Relation in the nation, and still speak with the voice of a teacher. A great tree has fallen but his shade will cover us for generations. Rest in peace, honourable Agni Deo Singh. Mikaele Leawere Galoa Village, Batiwai, Serua
Request to LTA
I had contributed twice in this column with other writers, regarding vehicles with high watt LED lights distracting innocent drivers at night. Despite assurance from LTA to track down such vehicle drivers, no heed was taken to curb the situation. I have not seen any police officer or official from LTA tracking down these drivers at night, continuously posing risk to other innocent drivers. Another request to LTA is to take heed of many drivers swerving from any angle to take over innocent drivers’ right of way. This happens everywhere, even in front of Lautoka Police Station. I request the relevant authorities to seriously look into the above offences for the safety of all drivers and pedestrians. DAVID SUSHIL LAL Malolo St, Lautoka
Healthcare system
Rock bottom denial
While admitting to the ongoing health woes confronting Fiji’s medical fraternity, Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu has apparently drawn the line at admitting that our health sector has hit “rock bottom” (FT 17/09). Well, thank goodness for that! It is hardly breaking news that Fiji’s healthcare system has been in shambles for years. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers have repeatedly faced enormous pressures, while ordinary patients are left navigating overcrowded facilities, lengthy waits, poor service and medicine shortages. Yet somehow, from the comforts of the Health Minister’s office, everything apparently looks considerably fine. Dr Lalabalavu’s comments also bring back fond memories of the former FijiFirst Attorney-General and self-appointed “Minister for Everything”, Aiyaz Sayed-Kaiyum, who once assured Fijians that we had one of the best healthcare systems in the Pacific and that our hospitals were supposedly well-equipped and in “top-notch” condition. How wonderfully reassuring. There was just one tiny problem with that glowing assessment, Aiyaz himself reportedly travelled to Singapore for medical treatment on several occasions and also attempted to do so afterwards – how ironic! Perhaps this is where the disconnect lies. When an ordinary Fijian gets sick, they head to a public hospital, take a number, find a seat and settle in for what can feel like an exhausting expedition rather than a medical consultation. When some of our political VIPs become unwell, however, the treatment plan appears somewhat simpler, jumping on the next flight to seek treatment abroad despite our so-called “top notch” medical care at home. So, Dr Lalabalavu, here is my humble challenge. The next time you are feeling ill, go to CWM Hospital, take a number at the outpatient department, sit among ordinary Fijians, wait your turn and experience first-hand what common citizens you represent experience when they desperately need medical attention. No VIP lane. No ministerial intervention. No red carpet. Just you, your number and the queue. Perhaps after several hours of waiting in agony, you might experience the sort of “reality check” that no Cabinet briefing can provide. And if you still believe the health sector has not reached “rock bottom”, perhaps you could kindly explain to the rest of us what exactly qualifies as rock bottom. Please stop living in denial Dr Lalabalavu. The public does not need another minister telling them everything is basically fine while they are standing in hospital queues experiencing quite the opposite. Our healthcare workers deserve better. Our patients deserve better. And ordinary Fijians deserve a health system that does not require them to become ministers before receiving ministerial-quality treatment. And, on a completely different note, who could possibly forget the memorable wisdom of another former FijiFirst minister who, back in 2022, apparently attempted to convince the vulnerable public that there was no poverty in Fiji and that nobody was struggling? Now that really took the cake! I still laugh about it today. Imagine telling struggling families, struggling workers and those barely making ends meet that poverty was apparently nothing more than a figment of their imagination. Classic indeed. Some politicians never cease to amaze and the current Health Minister is no exception. Nishant Singh Lautoka
QUICK VIEWS
Rock bottom
Just as we feared, Health Minister Dr Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu confirmed yesterday (FT 17/09) that Fiji’s health system had not yet reached rock bottom. Terry Hulme Eastwood, NSW, Australia
Missing exhibits
Many years ago, when I was Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, we confiscated thousands of pirated tapes from a shop in Cumming St. A little later it emerged that the courthouse liftman had set up a nice little business renting out the tapes at $1 a night. We revamped security and found a less entrepreneurial liftman. At least the tapes were replaced after viewing but I doubt that the current coke sniffers will return their loot. Michael Scott Morris St, Lautoka
Missing cocaine
The disappearance of seven cocaine bars from the High Court custody is indeed a very serious matter. We used to hear of drug exhibits going missing from police stations. It is an indictment on the integrity of the security system in place to safeguard the court exhibits. All those responsible for its safekeeping should be held accountable. The latest incident attests that there is no safe place for the storage of the detained drugs. It has also exposed how embedded the tentacles of the criminal networks are within our systems. No stone should be left unturned to identify and weed out these corrupt elements. They are a disgrace. SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
Traffic officers
I write to express my thanks and appreciation to the police traffic officers on roadside duties in Votualevu on Monday, September 14, 2026. That was excellent community service. It kept all drivers on their toes. Such roadside checks at random will serve all communities well. Could the same be applied to the Martintar area soon, please? Please do not overlook the Namaka section of the Queens Rd and the Denarau bypass. They are littered with too many careless, show-off, reckless and speeding drivers. I thank you in advance. Ronnie Chang Nadi
Stark truth
Dr Sushil Sharma (FT 17/09) once again tells us of Fiji’s “failing health system”. Yes, it is a crisis and yet the authorities continue to talk about upgrading CWM Hospital. This is akin to shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic. The 2024, 170 page CWM Master Plan prepared for Health.gov.fj, spells out, in excruciating detail the massive failings of all sectors of the hospital infrastructure. The only solution is to start afresh on a new site, starting with drainage and sewage and building up. Anything else will be a patch job. Terry Hulme Eastwood, NSW, Australia
