Recently, I had families from overseas visit us.  

Many of them rented vehicles from differ­ent rental car companies. Unfortunately, most of the vehicles rented were below standard and services provided were unex­pected from a tourist point of view.  

One relative changed vehicle three times; another didn’t have replacement vehicles and one company rented a vehicle that had private number plates on it. And the same company had five more vehicles in the yard with private registration plates as well.  

How does the Land Transport Authority (LTA) pass these vehicles as fit for public ser­vice? Aren’t there standards for rental car companies? Is there a criterion on the age limit of a rental vehicles?  

My family and I wasted time running after these rental car companies. I don’t blame my relatives as these rental vehicles advertised on Facebook offered rates at $50 per day that were shiny (supposedly).  

However, we learnt the hard way! It is better to pay a little bit more from reputable rental car companies that offer better and safer ve­hicles.  

My question to LTA is, where is the enforce­ment? Private vehicles being rented out and below standard rental vehicles on our roads is a question of safety.  

I asked a friend who is familiar with LTA, and he said the authority had better things to do then run after unscrupulous wheelers and dealers. Plus, he said this was a decade ­old issue and would never change.  

It is only after my relatives faced these un­warranted ordeals while on holiday here that I write to the respective authorities.  

Please, keep our roads safe because such is­sues reflect badly on the nation as a tourist destination. 

Story By: Jagen Prasad 

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

Japan’s quiet diplomacy rises from donor to potential superpower in the Pacific. 

It was all about the money. Just how much we’re only coming to know through the multimillion dollars funneled through the United Nations (U.N.).  

As Japan rises to take its place as the world’s second largest donor to the U.N. – second to Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) – it is only a matter of time before ‘The Land of the Ris­ing Sun’ assumes its place and the leader of the pack.  

From its trajectory over the past seven years where its ranking hovered between third and sixth place on the donor list, it has now pushed past countries like the United States. 

It’s anytime now for the real superpower to emerge. 

An impressive record in garnering Pacific support since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami’s impact on the Fukushima nuclear plant, no one foresaw the public relations stunt it built up in the years leading to dumping rubbish into its backdoor.  

The Fukushima nuclear wastewater dumping brings to 3000-and-something, the nuclear related ac­tivities – contaminants, radioactive or otherwise – in the broader Pacific.  

The Big Ocean States must take a leaf out of Ja­pan’s high level of quiet yet powerful diplomacy, on which the Pacific must build on for the next round of regional fall out.  

Japan has set the tone and pace in which it wields its often-undermined global influence.  

It sits in authority to pick and choose what to back in regional development.  

Unlike its showy and often pompous Asian Neighbour’s, Japan does not set debt traps, nor does it make efforts to compete for influence, or attempt to change the status quo. 

But Japan has a history of trying to rewrite history – a regressive habit it must curb – to fess up to its mis­deeds the way Germany did.  

Once they make attempts in that space, history will be rewritten for the better for Japan to earn its right­ful place in the world, and the respect it so desires. 

Even as it measures up a mere fraction of Japan’s 125 million population, the Pacific – 14 countries with a populous of more than 2.4 million, covering 15 per cent of Earth’s surface – it could have made a louder gong – science or no science. 

At least for the record.  

But Fiji does not bite the hand that feeds it. Not in this instance at least. Not as the highest populated Pacific Island country that gets the largest chunk of the U.N. donor pie at for the region.  

Story By: Frederica Elbourne 

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj 

Call for action on service amidst acts of selflessness in Fiji.

Service, an adjective that should end the week on a high for the many levels the message permeated, should set the mood for the nation. 

Chiefs, churches, and the bravado of a selfless young Mohammed Waseem, have set the wheels in motion through their utterances, and deeds. 

But churches and chiefs need to walk the talk – not just pontificate from their ivory tower. 

Both institutions together with the First and Second Estate, should sit up the rhythm of the beat set by the likes of Waseem – a Fijian of Indian descent with no traditional chief to directly answer to. 

So selfless, Waseem left his family in the family vehicle, as he made off in rubber flip-flops, to join co-workers fighting fire in the North’s municipal town. 

On a day off, he made no hesitation to respond to the call of duty. 

Waseem could have carried on with his family that day; but his automated response would not have it. 

However, a reality check of the level service around the country offers a far cry to this week’s song and dance about service. 

Government services are almost non-existent with 10 per cent of its workforce lost to Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, and another 10 per cent to student visas. 

No country as small as Fiji can operate when they lose 20 per cent of the workforce. 

Halt the exodus, unless we are one with a drop in gross domestic product brought on by the lack of skilled labour to operate the economy. 

In Sydney late this week, investors eyeing Fiji are deterred about availability of skilled workers. 

Marketing Fiji as an investor destination is pointless without the basic workforce. 

Australia needs to break its own silence on pillaging of our skilled work force. 

Service? Fiji Revenue and Customs Service is on payment plan for value added tax refunds. Any other refunds are declined, to make you go through a process that kicks the can 12 months down the road. 

At Immigration, where visas are pending renewal, staff tell of a backlog owed to the shortage of manpower. If your visa has expired, leave; don’t bother the officials. 

Service? Nah, don’t think so. 

Fiji needs more likes of Waseem, who are more deserving of the highest order of national recognition.  

Story By: Frederica Elbourne 

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj 

As a concerned member of the public, I wish to raise an issue about a certain legislation – TIN 2017.  

I feel that Land Transport Authority (LTA) officers are abusing this legislation by booking members of the public.
In 2017, the previous government passed this LTA legislation, where it states that all fines should be paid before seeking court.  

This was not the case before 2017, where people were taken to court if the offenders did not pay their fines. When people decide to stop on the side of the road that has a yellow line marked, in case of an emergency to tend to a sick loved one or passenger, LTA officer still book the driver.  

Yet, I have seen LTA vehicles and officers setting up a check point, where the LTA vehicle is seen parked on the roadside where a yellow line is clearly marked.  

Worse still, the LTA officer stops the driver and both vehicles are parked on the yellow line. Is there a separate law or rule when it comes to LTA officers or vehicles seen parked near a marked yellow line?  

Also, I notice that some of the officers behave unprofessionally by displaying hostile behaviour when confronting a driver. These officers should get counselling and proper training on how to communicate and behave in public. 

Story By: Sachiv Kamal Singh 

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

Times have changed. In the past, the audio-visual media in particular was flooded with messages on prevention of a wide range of social issues- AIDS, teenage pregnancy, STDs, etc., by non-governmental organizations.  

Now, the silence is deafening.  

Not even a government funded commercial on good parenting.  

Nor anything new such as Q and A discussions on ABC TV. If we don’t make a collective effort to change direction, we are all likely to be swept down the drain.  

Refreshing therefore to applaud the efforts of the Suva Grammar School students and staff in their recent production of Julius Caesar reviving memories of values such as determination to memorize lines, still relevant today 

Story By: Ecelina Naivadra 

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

It is shocking to hear Reverend Viniana Rokomasi Ravetali supporting same sex marriage.  

Is she a real church padre?  

In which Bible verse does God talk about same sex marriage?  

God’s law of marriage is still the same – “a man shall leave his mother and father and be joined to his wife”.  

Although the Australian government has passed a law for same sex marriage, God’s law supersedes all laws.  

A church minister’s job is to preach the Gospel (the Word of God). Reverend Viniana Rokomasi Ravetali is out of her mind and needs to be disciplined by the heads of the Methodist Church.  

She has brought shame to the church. Is she a bio-product of same sex marriage? 

Story By: Rajesh Lal 

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

According to media reports (fake or otherwise) SODELPA has issued a seven-day warning to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to respond in terms of agreement violations or face the music.  

I am not surprised. I have always treated the formation of the three party coalition as an unholy alliance.  

It reared its ugly head during the election of Rabuka as the Prime Minister. And someone from the coalition voted against him.  

The black sheep is still active. All that talk that there will be no more future coups in Fiji is a figment of imagination.  

The stark reality looms large with senior former military officers sitting on the opposition benches, their mouths watering to jump on the driver’s seat.  

Therefore, massive migration of skilled labour and flight of capital will continue regardless. No one wants to board a shaky and unstable boat.  

Better safe than sorry. I sincerely hope and pray that good sense will prevail and that the Prime Minister will be able to handle SODELPA’s incessant demands 

Story By: Rajesh Lal 

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

It has been an ongoing issue despite numerous complaints to the police and agricultural department.

Recently, I heard the police highlighting that a majority of the accidents on our roads are caused because of speeding.  

Did anyone analyse the reason for speeding?  

The road conditions, heavy flow of traffic and driver attitude are some of the contributing factors to speeding. Some drivers at 40 kilometre’s per hour on an 80km national highway.  

The stray animals are seen by the village or farms. These animals are not stray. The owners do have to take responsibility.  

The agricultural department needs to be effective in enforcement, in partnership with the police. When an accident happens involving animals, the occupants of the vehicle suffer injuries.  

Whether it be minor or major, the injuries can be life changing. If the driver or passenger are not injured, the vehicle sustains damage.  

Vehicle parts are costly, and the driver will need to dig deep to cover the cost. If someone throws a stone at a dog, the relevant authorities jump.  

What happens when a car bumps an animal that was let loose by the roadside? There is no action taken against the owner of the animal.  

On August 29, a Sunbeam Transport bus was involved in an accident at Tavua with a cow. What happens if the accident had proved fatal?  

We are pointing fingers at the enforcement agencies, but aren’t the owners of these animals contributing to road accidents as well?  

We need LTA, police, and other enforcement agencies to visit these farm or cattle owners and counsel them about the impacts of accidents on our roads involving animals that are left unsupervised. Act now before it is too late. 

Story By: Shailesh Kumar 

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

In the national budget speech, we heard that an increase in social welfare for Elders was coming.  

The sad thing now is that our purple bus cards are back at $25 a month – when the cost of living and bus fares are on the rise.  

Vodafone has been sponsoring major Sports tournaments for a very long time!  

We were getting $40 a month before the amount was slashed to $10. It went up again to$75 for three months instead of $129 for the same duration.  

The $40-a month allowance must be restored if our government wants to see more Blessings from above. Try making elders stay happy!  

It is a promise by our Almighty God.

To Madam Minister Lynda and Madam Kiran, can you help see that the promises are fulfilled? 

Story By: Isikeli Nakato 

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

As reported, SODELPA’s so called ‘ultimatum’ to the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, is deeply troubling and most regrettable.

Was this so very necessary?

I praise wise counsel prevail. Such actions are so needless.

Some knuckles must be wrapped, with haste.

Please do not tread down a path of political meltdown. It could spell a party’s political doom. Step away from this precipitous downfall and work tirelessly for a better and united Fiji.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj

As a concerned citizen, I would like to highlight the struggle that many families face during water cuts and disruptions.

It affects workers, students, the elderly and people from all walks of life.

The Government should look into the matter as of national importance, becase water is a basic need to which all citizens have a right to and should access.

Many areas have been facing intermittent water supply, while some have to go without piped water supply for months.

People who have been affected, attend school and work and the problem is not an excuse for being late or absent.

Additionally, their attendance affects their pay which in turn creates more problems for families.

Imagine the struggle of large families, families with young children, widows, elderly and the disabled.

Regardless of the situation, the Government and relevant authorities should seek ways to address the situation.

Blaming past administrations will not solve the problem, but a positive and proactive approach that is inclusive is needed to solve the ongoing problem.

People can go without electricity, but not water.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj

Our transport sector, especially the sea travel, has grown enormously throughout the country.

People travel more than ever due to the luxury fast ferries in operation and in some routes the travel time has drastically reduced the journey duration.

For a person to travel on local ferries, one just only have to purchase a ticket and the customer service officer will only ask your name verbally and without any verification, will write that on the ticket.

If you are travelling with children normally, they write something like children x2 without names.

This information will be captured in the passenger manifest.

When boarding the ferry, the shipping clerks will tear off a portion of the ticket and maybe tallied with the passenger manifest to see the number of passengers on board.

At the point of boarding, there is no positive verification of the actual passengers traveling for accountability purpose should a mishap occurs during the voyage.

The tickets can also be transferred to another person and such important changes is not reflected in the passenger manifest.

The Custom Officer, before the ship departs are only ensuring that the required number of passengers are on the ship.

The importance of having an accurate passenger manifest must be legislated. It assists in ensuring that everyone is accounted for and are safe.

By having the contact information of each passenger’s emergency contact, the next of kin can be quickly inform of any unexpected events.

This is vital in a research and rescue operation and compensation purpose.

The ferries are capable of carrying hundreds of passengers in a trip and the local shipping industry must be regulated so that operations can be managed well.

The shipping manifest must be designed in such a way that includes the passengers’ detail such as the full name of each passenger, along with their age, gender, and any other relevant personal information.

For security purposes, it is important to include identification details for each passenger, such as passport or ID card numbers.

In case of an emergency, the manifest should include the name and contact details of an emergency contact for each passenger, as well as any medical information that may be relevant.

I believe that this becomes the duty of care of the Minister for Transport to implement a legislated process for improved accountability and act proactively.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj

Have you noticed the excessively high charges of repairing smartphones by phone repair shops?

Some costs of repairs are so exorbitant might as well buy a new phone.

Smartphones have taken over the world and are one of the most important technological evolution of our century.Stricter control and monitoring needs to be carried out, particularly from the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

Wouldn’t it be nice if Labasa Town Council could build fire safety boxes on top of the underground fire hydrants with the fire hoses connected to each hydrant?

Now this could have saved a lot of time.

Keys to the box could be given to the shop keepers and fire training provided to the shop attendants Always remember you need fuel heat and oxygen for a fire to start and you just have to remove one of them to stop the fire.

So please make access to fire hydrants easier.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

Welcome to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, where 20 teams will fiercely and courageously clash for a glory made available once in every four years.

Fans of the Flying Fijians will be breathing a renewed sense of confidence and hope of successfully securing a spot in the quarters.

The historical victory against England was a much-needed boost for Fiji but I am feeling nervous and anxious this time around, about our slim chances of progressing beyond Pool C.

I am beginning to wonder whether we have prepared sufficiently, or will the ghosts of the last two Rugby World Cups (2015 and 2019) come back to haunt us?

Rugby World Cup matches are risky encounters, with outcomes dependent on simple things including interpretations of rules by referees and painful mistakes.

Without wanting to sound like a rugby guru, I am of the opinion that a simple review of our performances at the last two World Cups offers invaluable insights for our gladiators in France.

In this regard, there are about three lessons which stand out.

First and foremost is respect. Every coaching team has invested time and effort into their team’s preparations. The methods of physical, mental, and spiritual preparation differ but there is a fundamental commonality amongst all teams.

Confidence in defeating opponents on the rugby paddocks is at an all-time peak.

I believe that our Flying Fijians cannot and should not accommodate thoughts of over confidence. In 2019, Uruguay delivered the biggest upset at Rugby World Cup. Oh, that was a painful and humiliating defeat against Uruguay.

In France, the Flying Fijians must treat every team in Pool C as a finalist. Let us not worry too much about Australia and Wales because Portugal and Georgia have every reason to defeat us.

Secondly, one cannot over emphasise the importance of endurance. This is especially true in the second half, because this is usually a period when winners are determined.

One of my best memories at the 2019 World Cup was us leading against Australia and Wales but unfortunately, we slackened around the 55 – 60 minute.

Then Australia and Wales began to stamp their superiority by snatching the game from us as the Flying Fijians ran out of steam.

The inclusion of Drua players offers healthy competition as our coaching panel have the luxury of choosing substitutes with much energy reserves.

In my opinion, our coaching staff must display a proactive approach in the timing of substitutes.

For some reason best known to our coaching team of 2019 and 2015, substitutes were introduced on too late into the match, whereas Australia and Wales started injecting new players onto the paddocks early into the second half.

Thirdly, our motivation and passion at the breakdown is critical. Like a pack of hungry wolves, we must compete in this aspect of the game.

The ability to force turnovers and maintain possession puts our opponents under pressure and more importantly, lays an ideal platform for our backline to unleash its attacking prowess.

Even in the lineouts, we cannot adopt a wait and see attitude. We must compete to steal possession and deliver quickly to our backline.

The moment we have been waiting for has arrived in France.

There is no turning back from now onwards. I am confident that Simon Raiwalui and his coaching team have pondered over lessons from the past two World Cups and adequately incorporated this into preparations.

In my humble opinion, this holds the key to our success in France. In true sportsmanship, let us welcome the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France and continue to faithfully standby by the Flying Fijians.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

I wish to raise a concern how and why police officers at Nausori don’t seem to do their work diligently and are ignoring complaints lodged by members of the community.

On July 15, 2023, a complaint was lodged by Cagivou Vusuya Buses after one of its minibuses was involved in an accident with a minivan. The driver of the minivan had bumped into the parked minibus.

The driver of the minibus took pictures of the minivan and driver, while he fled from the accident scene.

The complaint was lodged when police officers arrived at the scene and gave them proof such as pictures of the accident, driver involve, minivan model and its registration number plates.

However, days have turned into weeks, yet the police are unable to trace the location of the driver and the minivan, despite the evidence presented.

I can only assume that these law officers are reluctant to act on the matter and help the complainants. I don’t know if they treat other cases in the same way, but I feel that these officers don’t care.

So, I urge the police department heads to address this laxity.

I hope to get a response on this matter.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

With respect to a news article titled ‘Police warn parents’ on August 13, 2023, it was reported that children were left unattended in cars while waiting on parents who were in nightclubs.

This isn’t the only worrying issue; there are other children left unattended to on our streets at night.

According to recent interactions, some are young street dwellers while the rest are just neglected by parents. These kids are as young as eight years old.

This is concerning as their numbers tend to rise daily. This sight is usually familiar during the weekends, where you witness just how negligent parents are in violating children’s rights, to be cared for and protected.

Source: Fiji Police Media

Monitoring these children at home and on the streets should be a top priority for parents and police officers.

Parents should be more engaged with their children. Such negligence from parents is a violation to children’s rights and exposing them to unnecessary risks.

Considering the situation, I implore the relevant authorities and Government to address the issue as a matter of national priority.

Unless and until each person is aware of what is taking place, the law alone will not be sufficient to curb the social stigma.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

I am truly amazed how a major supermarket based in Martintar, Nadi, has “changed and/or manipulated” the price of canned peeled imported tomatoes.

Last week, I bought several tins – three cans for $5.

On Monday, I noted a change in the price. It said “Was $2:45 – Now $1:95”.

What a difference can a few days make.

This product just became more expensive. Retirees and poorer communities will suffer most.

The Consumer Council of Fiji is encouraged to verify my observations with urgency. Or do I stand corrected?

File Photo

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

I assume the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection is enjoying her ministerial post and the benefits that comes with it. Yes, the hefty pay and allowances.

While she is at it, can social welfare recipients receive their allowances and bus fare benefits within the first two days of every month?

Most of the recipients rely on this Government assistance and look forward to it on every first day of the month. And worse still, some recipients are left out on monthly basis.

Compared to past years, the new changes are not working well as far as I am concerned.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj 

I write this open letter to all FNPF pensioners who were affected by the reforms of 2012.

In the last National Budget, Government announced that a certain sum of money will be paid out to the pensioners in different age groups.

Many affected pensioners assumed there will be automatic transfer of funds because FNPF has details on pensioners affected.

This is not so. The pensioners have to apply before the transfer of funds occurs.

Therefore, the following steps need to be taken:

1. The pensioners must collect the application form from the FNPF office or the Social Welfare Department (Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection).

2. Accurately fill in the form giving all the relevant details and read the declaration section carefully, the small letters in brackets in particular where it is stated that: (with the exception of pensioners affected by reforms).

3. Once the form is filled, have it countersigned by a Justice of Peace or an authorised civil servant.

4. Attach two passport size photographs, a certified copy of your birth certificate and a certified copy of your FIRCA_FNPF I.D. card showing your T.I.N. number.

5. Lodge the completed application form with the Social Welfare Department for processing, which can take as long as three weeks (according to the information given on the counter).

All these despite the fact that information is readily available at the FNPF office. And this applies only to pensioners who are living in the country.

Those who have migrated do not qualify; sounds discriminatory!

For further help or clarification you can contact me on mobile 9996767 or landline 3320400.

Feedback: letters@fijisun.com.fj