Social media comments

Arien Kumar, Nadi

Fellow Fijians, what are we waiting for? Blessed are we today with the privilege of accessing social media such as Facebook and its services.

Why waste time and money going to the Police and court when we can solve any case (either small or big) in a faster mode using Facebook?

Just load any case, crime, story or issue on FB and expect results within a very short time period. It’s faster and cost nothing as FB have got many genius CID officers and judges who can give results well before a particular case reaches the hands of the Police or court.

Looking at the comments, conclusions and judgements on FB of the recent abduction case, shows how fast some are in making and giving their judgments on such sensitive issues without actually knowing the fact or having the exact idea of things.

Similar comments became viral in the past on FB over the student suicide case where all sorts of negative and unrealistic judgments were given and seen prior to the findings of the Police, court and the ministry. However the real and actual findings took many by surprise but the damage was already done to the innocent(s) who may still be finding a way out today of the comments against him/her on FB.

Those of us who comment on FB please, ask yourselves, are we exactly doing what we are supposed to do come a situation like this?

Do we actually know the real story or the facts and how costly it may be for those we comment against?

Are we directly or indirectly involved in this or related to the victim or the accused person? Are we a real friend, family member or well-wisher of any two parties concerned?

I bet “no” would be the answer to all the above by many and that we only comment probably because it’s free on FB.

Today we comment and will forget the next day as every new day begins with a new story, issue and case for us to comment on. Why can’t we save/reserve our negative comments and use it positively tomorrow to save; at least one innocent life?

The choice is ours as both negative and positive comments are free on FB.

Presenting facts on GCC

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada

Thank you Honourable Prime Minister for the facts presented in Parliament regarding the Great Council of Chiefs as a body.

From an iTaukei perspective, it is very enlightening and in all fairness, those out there who disagree with the facts presented should present their response with facts too.

If there is no response then Fijians should all agree that what the PM has presented about the GCC is the truth and nothing but the truth and should bury the GCC issue once and for all.

My heart goes out to all the iTaukei chiefs of Fiji, who are content with their leadership role in their respective vanua and have been dragged into this issue by the Opposition, who did not bother to get their approval in the first place.

New Speaker’s chair    

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi

A great professionally handcrafted chair indeed, you really look great Madam Jiko Luveni on that Antique Speaker’s chair gifted by the world’s largest democracy, India.

The chair signifies and represents the order of our new Fijian-made democracy; it perfectly suits our new Parliament decor and it elevates the Madam Speaker’s importance in the House in carrying out her duties from that new-found favourite hobby of hers, “the refereeing of all those senior citizens and MPs in that august House of our new democracy”.

It’s not a tough job to inherit because she enjoys it; in almost two years she has been diligently carrying out her duties brilliantly under the many trying circumstances she has been subjected to but who said she was new to the job.

There are also those many jealous Lauan women critics who are diehard SODELPA supporters that consistently ply their rhetoric on Facebook against one of the most respected first women Speaker in our country’s history, Madam Luveni has proven herself and is now a public figure after a good productive eight years in politics but the Ono-i-Lau marama and her family have become thick-skinned from such irresponsible cowardly comments.

Vinaka Madam Speaker and thank you for always maintaining the decorum in your house; well done.

Your presence in Parliament on that lovely chair is inspirational, motivational and you challenge the many of our young future Fijian girls and women leaders who admire and respect your professionalism to aspire to your level.

GCC    

Amenatave Yaconisau, Suva

Traditional Fijian leadership remains an extremely powerful force amongst village setting and also the wider political life in Fiji, says Rusiate Nayacakalou in his book ‘Leadership in Fiji’.

Whether that means ‘stay and watch’ or stay away from politics I don’t know.

Your article by Nemani Delaibatiki  titled ‘PM: no GCC but Chiefs stay’ (FS 24/4/16) is relevant to  this letter.

It is simply common sense that if Fijians (iTaukei) live in villages  headed by traditional leaders (chiefs) you must hear their voices  at the highest political level; bosevakoro (village coucils), bose ni tikina (tikina councils), and Bose ni Yasana and to be heard by separate councils like the BLV or FAB.  Parliment?

It is also common sense if land in this country  is mostly owned by Fijian (iTaukei) their voices must be heard at the highest political level like the BLV. Currently the proceeds of land is equally shared.

They also have tremendous swaying influence  on their voters in the villages  and tikina level.  They are the main source of resolving conflict  in villages even during natural disasters their leadership skills of supervision is required at no cost.

They don’t resolve conflicts as political institutions do but currently the Police and Roko are also present with the aim of maintaining stability and goodwill simply because they are the recognised authority in the area.

But this Government thinks otherwise that Fijian (iTaukei) administration must come under the common leadership of the main government machinery and the law must apply equally in a pluralistic society.

I wish them well in their endeavour to mix traditional leadership with non traditional ones.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Relief work rubbish

John Davon, Sigatoka

The Opposition Member calling out “rubbish” in Parliament – I wonder, if he was describing the Opposition! From my viewpoint that is exactly what they are.

Never any intelligent input and are always against anybody who has something intelligent or constructive to say.  Come 2018 perhaps the rubbish will be put out and collected

Lawful deception

Epeli Rabua, Suva

As the FijiFirst Government continues its Parliamentary sessions, we the citizens of Fiji are once again witness to ‘lawful dictatorship’ in its full context.

Fiji One TV audience as an example; Government decreed that Digicel could buy Sky Pacific, however, they could not broadcast Fijian material on its Fiji One channel.

This channel although being transmitted by Sky Pacific, is a free-to-air channel. You do not have to pay Sky or become a subscriber to view this channel.

Now the majority of Fijians in most sub-urban areas, villages and islands cannot watch anything on Fiji One. And Fiji Broadcasting Commission TV cannot provide this service.

The Great Council of Chiefs is another example. The Prime Minister continues to say it is a waste of time.

Under the Native Land Trust Board’s original laws and regulations, ALL land in Fiji belong to the chiefs.

These, have been shared out amongst the different provinces, villages, tribes, clans and society in today’s Fiji. Today’s modern Fijians own land through the benevolence of our chiefs.

Each and every day we read and pay the price for disregarding the chiefs’ magnanimity.

The steep increase in rape, robbery, spousal abuse, drug abuse, you name it and there is no end or a decrease in sight!

Even our Parliament sittings have been shortened to allow the Government people to have more free time to read about the increase in crime and do nothing about it.

Just minimum wage

Frank Shaw, Lami

I refer to Father Kevin Barr’s article ‘Wage Rate’ (F/T 17/2/16). If the basic needs poverty line in Fiji is $4.50 as Father Kevin pointed out then the union should not agree to a national minimum wage rate of $2.32. By doing so they would be betraying the workers of this country.

A Just Minimum Wage Rate (JMW) should of course be at least $4.50 to allow workers to meet their basic needs. (I’am beginning to wonder whether Cyclone Winston was punishment for the new minimum wage rate considering that ‘defrauding labourers of their wages’ is one of the four deadly sins that cry out to heaven for vengeance (James. 5;4).

The other three being ‘ Oppression of the poor, will for murder and the sin of Solomon.’

I believe there should be a Wages Support Fund (WSF) set up because some employers may not be able to meet the Just Minimum Wage. Money for this fund should be got from taxes on high income earners.

There should also be a maximum wage rate set. Salary paid in excess of this amount should be heavily taxed (90 per cent) and credited to the Wages Support Fund; there should also be a 50 per cent tax levy on all business profits sent out of the country and should also be channelled to Wages Support Fund.

Over time this fund can be used to meet a dole system for the unemployed.

Workers should be encouraged to buy shares in the company they work for. (Microsoft pays billions of dollars annually to its employees under this scheme.)

If the workers are shareholders in the business they would work more honestly and diligently to ensure the company makes a profit. There would therefore be less industrial strife.

Finally there are many other companies overseas who are only too willing to invest in Fiji so Government has the upper hand in deciding the wages and conditions of employment for our workers.

GCC and 2018 elections 

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada

We do not have to be a brain surgeon to figure out why the SODELPA parliamentarians made a petition to reinstate the Great Council of Chiefs the other day.
They know very well that the current FijiFirst Government won a landslide victory in the 2014 General Elections, which implies that Fijians had accepted the abolition of the Great Council of Chiefs among others promoted by SODELPA.They also know that as the Opposition, they do not have the numbers and nearly everything they present in Parliament was outvoted.

So two years before the 2018 General Election, why bring up this issue of reinstating the GCC now?

From the arguments of the SODELPA parliamentarians, one could feel that this is where they begin their 2018 election campaign.

They want to paint a picture that our iTaukei chiefs, whom we hold dear in our respective vanua, are being deprived of their high status and relegated to being a commoner, and that the current Government is to be blamed.

I believe this issue and other divisive ones appealing to the iTaukei will be continually repeated in Parliament and its rejection will be used to preach in the next election campaign that the FijiFirst Government is anti-iTaukei and should not be re-elected.

In the last 10 years where we have been functioning without the GCC as a body, has a poll been conducted among our chiefs to see if they themselves want a GCC and be part of the decision-making process of Fiji?

GCC or no GCC, chiefs will remain chiefs to be loved and respected in the leadership of its people.

Fuel for athletic performance

Sukha Singh, Labasa

In sports one certain thing is you can’t win all the time. Feeling the body before, during and after a game is very important. I am sure the Fiji Rugby Union has someone who looks after the players fuelling needs.

But next time if the players feel de-energised just give them a few spoons of glucose.

Don’t grumble 

Amenatave Yaconisau, Delainavesi

Everyone seems to be going through a hard time after the ravages of Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Telling them to be strong is like comforting people with ropes around their necks to rejoice and everything will be okay.

Life seems to be getting harder especially with people whose source of livelihood were damaged.

Prices are going up and nothing is going down.

Responsibilities seem to be increasing in the vanua, church, and the Government.

Friends, relatives and friends disappoint with a ‘me first’ attitude and some are even heartless to help.

On top of this there are sub-standard houses everywhere despite the promises it seems to be an elusive dream.

The chance for a good education looks gloomy with the damage done.

As Christians we comfort ourselves with Paul’s letter to the Romans that nothing will separate us from the love of Christ.

Paul knew the power of adversity to embitter and defeat our spirit.

But we are not to grumble (didi) as he warned in Corinithians1; 10: 10.  Our true source of security is up there and not in trying to influence the climate.

Plant vegetables

Wise Muavono, Lautoka

With the drastic increase in vegetable prices, Allen, I suggest you uproot those yaqona plants at your backyard and plant vegetables.

Unless you planning to have yaqona leaf soup.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Food rations distribution

Ravulolo Tuikubulau, Lautoka

Now that the cyclone and flood food rations distribution is winding up in the West, we continue to wonder why certain areas of the community were denied their rights when they received a single round while others received four rounds of distribution while they watched.

A good example of this is where I reside, at the boundary between Lautoka City and the rural area outside Natabua.

Yesterday, I came past a Government vehicle distributing the 4th round of rations to the Velovelo residents, who are just on the other side of a creek which separates the urban and rural.

I paid a visit to the Commisioner Western’s office to enquire whether the Natabua Housing cyclone victims were going to receive food assistance and I was told by a young lady serving at the counter that no food assistance will be supplied to all urban dwellers.

The innocent lady was not able to give a valid reason as on what grounds were these voters denied their constitutional rights to receive the Bainimarama Government’s assistance.

Probably our parliamentarians would be able to come and explain to us their assistance policy in times of national disasters.

As the next election is just two years away, what would the urban dwellers think of their next candidate? God bless Fiji.

Background noise

Wise Muavono ,  Lautoka

To one of the free-to-air channel that’s showing live coverage of the Coca-Cola Games, do not block out the background noise.

If I only wanted to listen to the commentary, I have the radio for that.

FEA Subsidy

Hasmukh Patel, Fiji Electricity Authority
chief executive officer

I refer to a letter titled ‘FEA Subsidy’ published in the Fiji Sun on Wednesday April 27, 2016, under the section ‘Your Views, written by Mr Nirbhay Singh.

For your information we have replied to the Consumer Council of Fiji.

FEA would like to inform Mr Singh that since the Government subsidy was implemented a few years ago the daily average was in place and explained at the back of the bill.

The back of the bill prior to 2016 had the following explanation:

Domestic Tariff Cents per unit. Less than or equal to 85 kWh per month, i.e. 2.79 units/day, taking one month to be equal to (365 days/12 months) days which works out to 30.42 days.

From January 2016 the new criteria was inserted where consumption must be less than or equal to 95kWh/month and there must be a combined household income of less than or equal to  to $30,000/annum.

The back of the bill for January 2016 and February 2016 is below:

Domestic Tariff Cents per unit. Less than or equal to 95 kWh per month & combined household income is less than or equal to $30,000 if customer has registered and entitled for new Government subsidy.

Towards the end of March 2016 we included the daily average as a few customers with consumption less than or equal to to 95k were still not clear with the daily average concept.

The back of the bill was revised towards the end of March 2016 as shown below and will remain as such until there is another change. This clearly explains to the customer the daily average of 3.12 units/day.

Domestic Tariff Cents per unit. Less than or equal to 95 kWh per month, i.e. 3.12 units/day, taking 1 month to be equal to (365 days/12 months) days which works out to 30.42days with a combined household income less than or equal to $30,000. This only applies if the customer has registered and qualifies for the new Government subsidy.

We’re ready

Simon Hazelman, Savusavu

The Fiji Football News has headlined their Spanish tour (FS:28/04) in red, bold, capital letters “WE’RE READY”.

Excuse the sarcasm but may I ask FFA’s president what they are ready for?

Are they prepared and ready to win their scheduled matches or are they there, in the heart of world football, to understand and learn first-hand what quality football is all about?

My heart goes out to our boys and my criticism is never directed at them but at FFA and the manner in which Fiji Football is poorly managed.

This tour will confirm to all including FFA of the quality and position of their management style.

It will be a revelation even though the teams that are scheduled to play there are nowhere near the quality expected in Rio.

To be ready is to be able to compete consistently with the opposition and to win, draw or lose by a single goal or two!

We hope not to witness bold numbers that are hugely in the red!

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Weedicides in municipality

Titus Narayan,  Suva

Use of weedicides by Suva City Council contractors must be halted immediately because of the serious environmental impact.

It is potentially dangerous, in many ways, not only to human beings, but also to domestic pets and ornamental trees along side footpaths.

I have been drawing the attention of SCC, in particular, its health department for a lengthy period of time at regular intervals, but the subject matter still remains unsolved.

No doubt, despite efforts by the council to educate the contractors  in regards to the harmful effects the chemical has, the contractors ignorance has left much to be admired and becoming a growing concern to residents residing in the Suva municipality.

I have been reliably informed the contractors do not have proper garden tools to cut and clear the over grown grass and weeds from the road site for which they have been contracted for.

They only have brush cutters, a wheel barrow and at times a long handle knife and these tools are not good enough to cut the grass on the road shoulders and its curbs.

On numerous occasions I have asked the council and the contractors concerned not to spray weedicides on footpaths, road shoulders and its curbs.

Unfortunately, my vigorous efforts have fallen on deaf ears, and as a result beautiful green grass always turns into ugly brown patches and an eye sore.

I took the above photo on April 23 at 4:30pm to show withered  brown patches and parched soil under it because of the weedicides spray.

SCC is aware that I maintain the footpaths and pavements outside my house at my cost.

In addition to this, for a number of years decomposition of organic waste or (materials) have slowly piled up on footpaths and its decomposition gradually reach above the road curbs and also gained unnecessary height of the footpaths that’s why it looks uneven and bumpy.

Because of unsatisfactory maintenance by the council contractors, grass and weeds roll down on the curbs then to the road shoulders.

Time has come that all not concreted footpaths should be scraped to bring its current height lower than the road curbs for easy maintenance and pleasant walking.

It is very easy to organise without much costs or pull out grass and weeds from the storm water drains and footpaths, but because of lack of proper garden tools and sheer laziness “short cut” methods are followed.

Because of laxity in its strict supervision by SCC, the contractors are careless in carrying out their contracted obligations and the rate payers have to endure and live in an unhealthy environment.

I am certain the Minister for Local Government must have also noticed brown patches in the municipality and his prompt intervention will be highly appreciated.

When I became breathless with my complaints, I was compelled to verbally lodge my complaint to Mr. Azam Khan, director local government who promptly sent an e-mail to the council to survey and take appropriate action on spraying of weedicides within the municipality.

Thank you Mr Khan for your prompt action.

I hope the council and its contractors will take heed of your instructions.

Bus fare

Kristi Bhan,  Nasinu

Could the relevant authorities please issue a proper notice to all Bus Companies advising clearly of the new bus fares because some drivers are still charging the old fare.

Either these drivers have not been advised properly or they are just being ignorant.

Genuine betrayal   

Epeli Rabua , Suva

The most poignant memory of the 2016 Coca Cola Athletic Championships is the disqualification that happened in the final of the junior girls 100 metres event on the afternoon of Day 2 of the Games.

The young Suva girl is disqualified from running for an infringement at the start of the race.

All the finalists gather around to hug her in empathy of the situation she has found herself in. And as she walks away, two of the girls from Lautoka who just hugged the distraught athlete, run towards each other and complete a set of high-fives in glee that now, one of them will win the race.

This learned reaction from adults here in Fiji continues to haunt the people of Fiji.

Our children learn from the actions of their elders with regards to social and ethical behaviours as shown above.

And until our elders and leaders lead with ethical and truthful deeds and manners, the detestable behaviours we read about every day in our daily papers will become a testament to the way Fiji may become in the not too distant future.

Congrats

Kirti Patel, Lautoka

Well done and congratulations to Marist Brothers High School and Jasper Williams High School for their victory in the Coca Cola finals.

Again good to receive something in West.

To the rest of the schools there’s always a next time. Keep smiling and trying.

Victory

Amenatave Yaconisau, Delainavesi

The Red Fire squad was in danger of being  beaten again by the Natabua brigade especially in the first two days of the competition.

But they were not going to have anymore humble pies  like 2015.  I thought they were through until the third day.

Just like the Roman Emperor Constantine felt the need for supernatural help, the mysterious interference was there.

There were upsets and batons accidentally dropped and surprisingly the relays scooped in gold medal and something familiar begun.

It was the beginning of the end for Natabua and other schools who want to make it in big time competition.

It was a disastrous mistake to denounce them as unsuitable for the relays which in the end proved to be the saviour.

A decoy by Albert Miller (Jnr) in the Senior 100 metres and 200 metres sprint finals was all it took for the opposition to swallow the bait.

Obviously the will of the gods was with the boys from Flagstaff.

As the private property of the school, it came back after a 12 months vacation in the west.

Aside from the above, I never take away the persistence behind the victory.  Initially another loss peeped into the corridor but the boys were not going to let the weight of 2015 weigh them down.

They didn’t give up the fight but attack it from a different angle through the relays.

This spirit to stay and the resilience and persistence involved is all about the school.

I take my hat off too to other schools that provided the competition allowing Marist to prevail.

Better luck next year

Acknowledgement must go to the athletes, coaches and manager, school management and PTA, Marist Old Boys and friends.

Vinaka vakalevu and In Hog Signo Vinces (In this sign I conquer).

God’s not dead  

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa , Delta, BC, Canada

Just to add to Sister Korina Waibuta’s letter titled: Almighty and Scientists, the movie: God’s not Dead 1 is a good one for all Christians.

In the movie, a Christian student refused to declare that God was dead, so he took up the challenge to prove to his Professor that God existed, with his whole class as the judge.

The student presented scientific evidence and statements made by scientists and leading atheists to prove them wrong.

Part 2 of the movie is out but for those who have not seen part 1, can watch it free online.

Scientists are becoming believers but for us Christians, the one most important evidence that God exists is the transformation of our characters

Data Bureau

Nardeo Mishra,  Nasinu

The Minister for Industry and Trade, Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, said the truth about the Data Bureau in his press statement.

I quote: “For more than a decade ordinary Fijians have been suffering at the hands of the only credit reporting agency in Fiji which is the Data Bureau which has not undertaken proper verification of the information provided to them nor has in place any credible system to correct their information.”

This was long overdue and I know there are a lot of us including me who have been the victims of Data Bureau.

Ever since they started their operations in Fiji they have just collected the information but never tried to confirm it with the people concerned and also the data they have is almost 20 years old.

If I am not wrong our laws do not allow you to hold any more data after seven years which the Bureau failed to follow.

Thank you Minister Koya, and the Government for your concern for the ordinary Fijians.

Data Bureau   

Ravin Lal, Nausori

Thank you Mrs Kumar, of the Consumer Council, for highlighting the problems with the Data Bureau information system.

It is good now that there are going to be easier ways ordinary people can get their problems fixed quicker.

I support the motion.

Wrong number 

Atelaite Senibua, Suva

For a good number of years my Private home has been a “call center” because Patterson Shipping Customers have queries.

However, there is one problem, my home is NOT the Patterson Shipping Office!

I have expressed my disappointment and have lodged several complains with the Telecom Fiji Limited but my efforts have all been in vain.

They told me that they would correct the contact details when the 2016 Directory was going to be published, but it’s almost mid-2016 and there still hasn’t been any changes made.

I am frequently disturbed with the calls I get and my response to those calls would be “Sorry, this is not Patterson shipping. The number in the Directory is wrong.”

Now I question how TFL handles its customer complaints and what procedures do they actually follow to ensure that their customers are content with their services.

I plead with TFL to review this issue and hopefully solve this confusion.

Lastly, to all Readers, Patterson Shipping’s correct number is 3315644 and NOT 3315483 !

GCC claim   

Timoci Gaunavinaka, Nausori

To claim that the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) should be re-instated because it is the representative of iTaukei landowners is false.

A huge number of mataqali who own huge portions of native land in Fiji have no direct representative or voice in the GCC.

The three heads of the three confederacies who are supposed to be the three highest ranking chiefs in the GCC have insignificant registered landownership compared to many mataqali who are non-members of the GCC.

1. The Vunivalu na Tui Kaba from the island of Bau (Kubuna);
2. The Roko Tui Dreketi from a portion of the Rewa delta (Burebasaga); and
3. The Tui Cakau from the small island of Taveuni (Tovata).

There are bigger landowners from the province of Ba, Nadroga, Naitasiri, Macuata, Bua and Ra who own extensive areas of land registered and demarcated by the Native Land and Fisheries Commission but who were not members of the GCC or were members but of a much lower ranking than the three listed above.

Today, landowners receive a fair share of their lease money and can apply direct to Government for assistance to develop their own land.

They now recieve money for any minerals extracted beneath their land which no past governments, GCC or constitutions allowed. Ownership of iTaukei land will now remain forever in the hands of the iTaukei and can never be transferred to freehold like what the SDL government did.

The GCC itself is a symbol of elitism and racism.

It gives the iTaukei people a false belief that this country belongs to us and no other races and we are therefore superior and have more rights than others.

This leads some to look down at other races calling them names like “kaisi” or “weed” in Parliament.

We have seen how such arrogance triggers the coups of 1987 and 2000 when we forcefully took power after losing the election.

We have also seen the path to corruption, greed, bankruptcy and disunity the GCC and previous iTaukei-dominated governments took us to in their aftermath.

Today, the people of Fiji have opened their eyes and given their mandate loud and clear in the last election.

Your whole-hearted conviction, faiths, respect and belief in the GCC will not matter if the voters think otherwise.  That is democracy.

Tobacco offenders

Neelz Singh,  Lami

Illegal sale of tobacco by shop vendors without proper licencee or selling tobacco in single rolls offences have increased in recent months.

The blame game has begun; it seems enforcers are not available when needed. There are many smoke-free zones where people are found smoking with no sign of fear.

The Minister for Health says the ministry will not tolerate tobacco-related offences and offenders will be taken to task. We will believe this when we see some offenders being put to task by Law.

The use of technology and CCTV can help stop corruption and promote a smoke- free environment.

O’Neill denial  

Amenatave Yaconisau , Delainavesi

The evasive denial of Peter O’Neill to respond to the wishes of PNG students to put him through corruption charges seems to be frustrating the wishes of the majority (FS 29/4/16; PACNEWS)

The investigative powers and independence of the corruption unit is of great importance and no one should be above the law through special treatment when others have been arrested and charged already.

He should be able to explain and defend himself against the allegation(s).  He paints a picture of despitefulness and is unconcerned about the grievances of his people and the need to stand up to justice.  He should not remain undeterred amidst calls to follow the law.

It certainly looks dictatorial to me if he is not treating the allegation with urgency.  The authority and independence of the judiciary should not crumble under the influence of more powerful elites in the system, who support undemocratic orientations.

Public protection

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi

Daniel Urai’s letter in the other newspaper of May 02 titled, ‘Public Protection’, explains his bitterness and his non-acceptance of our civilian FijiFirst Voreqe Bainimarama-led Government.

This is almost two years after the September 2014 elections.

Dan will never accept this caring Government for all Fijians including all his Solomon Islanders families who dwell throughout Fiji.

But they can now all proudly call themselves Fijians under our world-acclaimed 2013 Constitution including any other benefits they may derive as entitlements from our Government under its FijiFirst political party blueprint or manifesto.

This bloke is one of the biggest union jokers in our country.

He still claims we have a military government in place whilst all other sensible union movements in the country are in acceptance and collaborating with our civilian Government in recognising its official legitimate status.

But Urai should be the least worried about being protected under our 2013 Constitution because the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and the Fiji Police Force are two totally separate constitutionally independent institutions that comes under the able leadership of the RFMF, Commander, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, and Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho.

They report to our Minister for Defence and Immigration, Timoci Lesi Natuva, which is the usual practice with past governments, including Dan Urai’s failed 1999 Chaudhry-led Labour government.

To refresh his memory this is a government mandated by the people, from the people and to the people including his very own families for as long as they are Fijians.

Lest Dan Urai is worried sick about his security concerns, I would recommend he visit our head of Government business Commissioner Western Manasa Tagicakibau or the Divisional Police Commander West, SSP Marika Yalimaiwai, who will gladly avail themselves to facilitate his security issues.

Power cuts reaction  

Wise Muavono , Lautoka

“These regular unplanned power cuts are becoming ridiculous,” says my fridge.

“It is indeed, and to make it worse I get sworn at,” replies my TV.

Exposed teacher  

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada

With all due respect, I believe the Minister of Education, Heritage and Arts has gone overboard if he wants to involve his ministry in the investigation of a teacher who is said to have posted semi nude pictures of herself on social media. (FS 3/5)

I thought that what an employee does outside of his/her working hours are their business, unless of course, if they have signed an agreement, that no unacceptable behavior is expected from them, during and outside of working hours.

What if someone else had posted the picture, or it is someone who looks like her or just a plain fake job?

Will the picture affect the students in their school work or her in her teaching profession?

Readers may question why I am concerned about this case as it was brought up by parents and teachers.

If the Ministry of Education disciplines her for posting semi nude pictures of herself on social media, then Big Brother is alive and we are in danger of losing our constitutional rights and freedom.

Banks bullying    

Shan Jay, Suva

I say if those foreign banks want to bully us then boot them out and get only the good ones who understand the local circumstances and HFC to operate.

Nawaikula and data bureau    

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi

Who are these bunch of people intruding and impinging into the constitutional rights of Fijians in their own country, and exposing the vulnerability and the loopholes in our legal systems?

And who gave them the approval to operate in the first place without fully having scrutinised their intended self-regulated business activities?

It must have been someone irresponsible and was definitely sleeping on the job during the Laisenia Qarase reign more than 10 years ago.

It lacks good transparent principles and accountability resulting in the loss of the individual privacy of those Fijians affected.

Opposition Member of Parliament Niko Nawaikula is now crying foul over our Government’s push to pass the Fair Reporting of Credit Bill highlighting the lack of consultations with his client as he claims.

Realistically, the SODELPA party and MP Nawaikula absolutely do not have the greater interests of the Fijian people at heart.

On the part of those directors of the Data Bureau, there was certainly a lack of consultation with the general Fijian public to educate them on the nature of their business.

Neither did they seek their approval and consent to carry out business from the confidential information of every Fijian involved with a credit institution.

If one was to fly offshore, inconveniently all of a sudden one was stopped at the Nadi International Airport departure lounge and one was told they could travel because  one owes monies to a credit institution or one cannot get a loan done with another bank because he owes monies.

The Data Bureau business was all done in a cloud of secrecy and vinaka to our Government for coming to the rescue of your citizens to straighten up this most unfair business ethics and practice.

Vinaka and thanks to the people’s Government for protecting the national interest of all Fijians.

We would like Government to please carry out an investigation into their corrupt business activities without the proper legislations in place as they were detrimental to the progress of our people to further improve their lifestyle.   

Follow rules    

Ruchi Dharm, Sydney, Australia

Did the banks reduce interest rates when data bureau was set up? No they didn’t.

So why do they say now that they want to increase interest rates when all the government is saying that they have to follow the rules?

Lost pride    

Floyd Robinson, Nasinu

Is civic pride like some fossil or memory from the past that cannot be resurrected amongst our citizens?

What happened to our values for caring for our surroundings?

One only has to travel along the roadside to observe solid waste indiscriminately disposed.

The area outside our shops appear to be a favourite dumping ground for wrappers, plastic bags and other forms of solid waste.

Mangroves are like a common dumping ground.

Somehow it appears that ‘it’s not my problem is an easier option’.

One has to travel to other Pacific islands like Rarotonga, Pohnpei and Upolu to observe how much respect locals have for their surroundings.

This begs the questions as to what’s the difference between them and us?

It goes as far as civic pride. Unfortunately, civic pride appears to be a lost pride amongst us.

Solar option

Neelz Singh,  Lami

Don’t blame FEA whenever there is a power crises or unplanned shutdown. System error is now common.

Instead switch to clean solar energy and save your money.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Crime

Akhila Nand, Samabula

After the general election in September, 2014, the crime rate was very slow.

All of a sudden, the crime rate has increased very much. Everyday we read in the news of people getting robbed of cash, cars, mobile phones and other valuables.

On March 3 this year, I was pick-pocketed of about $200 cash while on my way to a supermarket for my monthly shopping.

The money, which was in an envelope, was taken from my shirt pocket at Nina Street in Suva at about 10.40am.

The matter was not reported to Police because a similar incident happened to my wife a few years ago where she was robbed of $100.

She reported it to the Police but nothing had happened.

On the second incident, somebody removed two louver blades in my kitchen and entered my bedroom. This happened on April 11 this year at around 5am.

I was asleep at that time and my wife saw the thief coming out from my bedroom.

Unfortunately, she didn’t see his face because it was covered.

By the time she woke me up; the thief had escaped through the front door. He stole $60, my wife’s gold wrist watch and a 22 carat gold chain.

The matter was reported to Samabula Police Station at about 5.30am and Police arrived at about 9am. Luckily, no one was injured during the robbery.

Finger prints were taken but nothing was found on the louver blades.

How safe are people in their homes?

The thieves can rob any house without fear.

Thieves use the money to purchase drugs, alcohol and other things. People are very frightened in their homes.

I request the Prime Minister to intervene and stop the robbery. Police and Army should work together for the safety of people.

Regular patrols should be done at Vatoa Street, Moala Street, Totoya Street, Ono Street, Fulaga Street and other neighbouring streets in Samabula

Traffic confusion

Neelz Singh, Lami

On Monday morning the traffic Police, was controlling the Rodwell Road junction crossing in front of MH Supermarket and guiding traffic flow in Suva.

The traffic light was in working order. Once the light turned red and pedestrians thought to cross, instead of stopping, the Police guided them to go from both ends.

So in this case if traffic camera caught it, who is liable to be charged; traffic Police or driver of the vehicle?

Sugar dilemma

Vivien Counsell Mitchell, Serua

It strikes me that we are facing a conundrum.  On one hand we have a major local industry relying on increasing sales of our sugar.

On the other hand, we have health ministers pleading with us to cut back on the sugar we eat, in our food and all those sugary drinks we just don’t need, in order to become healthier.

With non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and kidney disease affecting rapidly growing numbers, and the notorious Pacific Islander ‘sweet tooth’, how can we possibly rationalise promoting increased sales of sugar, while at the same time encouraging reduced sugar consumption?  Hmmm…

Atletico Paranaense

Simon Hazelman, Savusavu

Fiji Football Association continues to state that our Fijian U23 football team was scheduled to play and lost to Atletico Paranaense 4-0.

Atletico Paranaense is a professional outfit that competes in top competitions domestically in Brazil and internationally. They have, in the past, won the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, Brazil’s top professional league and many other titles. The club is over 91-years-old with a very loyal and proud fan base and officials.

Currently Atletico Paranaense has a busy schedule as they are currently playing in five different competitions, the Serie-A, Paranaense-1, Primeira Liga, Copa-do-Brazil, and the Copa Sudamericana.

A simple search and a couple of calls abroad has revealed that our Fijian U23 football team was never scheduled, nor played and lost to Atletico Paranaense?

Can FFA please explain to us why the false information and also confirm specifically which team did our team really play?

Data bureau move

Vijay Kumar, Lautoka

Shame on the banks and those lawyers and accountants who support them.

They say that interest rates will or should go up because Government has simply and rightly asked that data bureau gets regulated and follows rules so everybody especially the ordinary Fijian can get protection.

What is wrong with pressing the restart button? What is wrong with looking after the common person?

Data bureau

Nardeo Mishra, Suva

The Minister for Industry and Trade Faiyaz Koya said the truth about the Data Bureau in his press statement: “For more than a decade ordinary Fijians have been suffering at the hands of the only credit reporting agency  in Fiji which is the Data Bureau which has not undertaken  proper verification of the information provided to them nor  has in place any credible system to correct their information.”

This was long overdue and there are a lot of us including me have been victims of the Data Bureau.

Ever since they started their operations in Fiji, they have just collected the information but never tried to rectify it from the people concerned.

The data they have is almost 20 years old.  If I am not wrong, our laws do not allow to hold any more data after seven years which the bureau failed to follow.

Thank you Minister and Government for your concern for ordinary Fijians.

Facebook supervision

Floyd Robinson, Nasinu

Is Facebook taking over the roles of parenthood?  Should parents be worried that it is having more influence on their children and infants?

While one is entitled to their opinions, the communication available on Facebook is alarming.

The amount of insensitive communication including use of vulgar language, inappropriate gestures, racist comments, hate, anger and amount of frustration vented our on a daily basis is alarming.

With all due respect, whilst Facebook has its advantages, children are exposed to other forms of communication without parental supervision.

Its impacts on their behaviour are anyone’s guess. Like it or not, it’s here to stay.

Parents need to be a step ahead of it before it exerts more influence on their children’s behaviour and development.

Property fires

Indar Jit, Navua

Reading about the property fires around Fiji, one would go wondering why so many properties are getting destroyed by fires.

The National Fire Authority (NFA), has continuously advised the public on fire safety, but day after day we read about property fires.

Fire outbreak is never a pleasant incident. When fire breaks out, there are serious problems for the residents of the particular property as eliminating a fire is not an easy task to do.

There are many causes of fire outbreaks but there are many ways to prevent such incidents.

There are countless things that can set a house or building on fire.

As stated by NFA, many fires occur because of people’s carelessness, but other times it’s just fate and nobody can be blamed for it.

Gas leakage can cause one to lose his or her home if not rectified in time. When gas is leaking through the pipe, no matter whether the gas leakage is in one kitchen or other parts where cooking is done, a single matchstick can blow up the entire property.

It is normally believed that smoking is a hazardous to a person’s health, but there are also other harms the cigarette smoking is doing to the surroundings of the smokers. People smoking should well understand where they are throwing their cigarette butts and burning matchsticks.

Electric equipment poorly stored with constricted air vents such as radios, stereo equipments, television and computers are expected to heat up.

This will lead to fire outbreaks and related issues.

So it is important that one always ensures that all electrical fittings are in proper condition are checked by a qualified electrician.

Whether it is gas leakage, or electrical equipment overheating, there are many things that can ignite fires.

The other measures to avoid fires include burning lamps, candles, pooja diyas and matches and these are not to be left unattended at any time or left in the hands of children.

Burning of rubbish at no time should be done close to the house, and when done so, one has to ensure that the fire does not spread out and becomes risk to ones property.

For many people, it takes ages to build a house. One will need a good sum of money to build a house.

In many house and property fires, there have been a number of victims who have lost their lives. Life is precious. No one will like to see their loved ones lose their lives and become victims of fire.

It is really a matter of urgent concern. Therefore, we all must understand about fire safety.

Measures to prevent fires must be practiced by one and all.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Better citizens

Raymond Chandra, Canada

Children who hang around in schools and learn too little become better citizens than children who hand around in streets and learn too much.

Data Bureau

Ratu Tubu Uluiviti, Suva

Alas! “The fall of the Data Bureau Empire” brings a sigh of relief and breath of fresh air to many Fijians.

Many thanks to the ever hardworking Prime Minister, his Deputy and Minister of Finance, Minister for Industry and Trade and of course, the FijiFirst Government in seeing the final passage and sail-through in Parliament last week, of the Fair Reporting of Credit Act which eventually dissolves the operations of Fiji Data Bureau.

As rightly said by Mr Faiyaz Koya: “….this was to give the people of Fiji a clean slate and also ensure a level playing field for consumers and financial institutions….”

Long live and God bless the FijiFirst Government.

Volleyball potential

Pranil Ram, Nadi

I believe there is a huge potential for the sport of volleyball in Fiji.

I was really excited watching both our men’s and women’s team playing.

It was amazing to see how well these players have matured and developed into fine volleyball players.

The request to volleyball governing body in the country is to try and lift the profile of this sport by taking it to other centres, especially remote centres in Fiji.

While some may claim that this is minor sport in the country, this sport has a long way to go. Surely this sport is here to stay.

More could be done to strengthen volleyball skills in school which is the root of learning. Through a commitment to training our young children could develop their volleyball skills while also developing life skills which will help them succeed both on and off the court.

The most beautiful thing about this sport is that it could be played in a small area and could easily be played by including both genders.

I am sure with programmes and competition like this we are ready to reach our full potential and compete for a medal in Olympics.

Parking for disabled

Neelz Singh, Lami

In cities and major towns, drivers with disabilities trying to find accessible parking spaces are often out of luck.

Usually, there is no space allocated or available. Many questions have been raised with the town and country planning officials, but what are they doing?

Parking seems to be a major issue and it is turning out to be a problem when driving around in a city or major town area.

We are running out of land or space is becoming more congested.

Disabled drivers should be overwhelmed to park freely when accessing shopping needs, as they are been comprised and victims of no parking zone. Unethical parking is also causing disturbance to other motorists.

There is a need for city planners and future designers to comply with an eco-friendly user parking system to cater for our disabled drivers.

Sky Pacific service

Edwin Sandys, Suva

Sky Pacific advertise their call centre with so many staff manning the centre, but trying to get a phone call through to them is difficult.

Impossible is a better way to describe it. My first attempt was by my Vodafone yesterday and the phone rang for more than six minutes and I hung up. By then the call had cost me $2.99.

I then tried the landline with the same effect; the call lasted seven minutes and only the answering machine with them advertising Unwired for the duration of the call. Is this the type of service that we will expect from Sky Pacific and Digicel?

It also raises another question. Sky Pacific is advertising a local product. Are they permitted to do this?

If I remember correctly the terms of their approval is that they do not have any local content. Or does this apply only to the TV and not the phone?

I tried the same number yesterday and again more than three minutes and call cost $1.61. The service was much better prior to the takeover by Digicel. Will we expect it to deteriorate further?

I have a problem in that my Sky system has been showing no signal and need help, but do not see any for the last four days. Is there another way of contacting Sky Pacific or do I have to go to their office to seek help?

This has happened before and they need to address this because we are paying their salary and we demand improved service delivery.

Mystery

Floyd Robinson, Nasinu

Do creeks and rivers hold the key to mysteries of the past involving disappearing people and vehicles?

Somehow for some reason, there appears to be a pattern of discovering missing people and vehicles in the creeks along the Navua stretch.

Is this a result of driver fatigue and lack of breaks during long journeys?

Is there a need for improved lighting or sign boards? Could there be a supernatural explanation to this?

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

GCC building

Rokowiri  Taitusi Sokiveta,
Phoniex,   Arizona,  USA

The Great Council of Chiefs building in Nasese is sitting idle and is of no use since Parliament cancelled it.

The GCC House was built by everyone’s tax dollars. The building is of no use therefore it should be turned into a maternity ward to deal with women’s medical needs, pregnancy checkups, in case of emergency labour.

It would be a safe haven for abused women suffering from traumatic stress due to rape, physical and verbal abuse, molestation and therapy counselling since the building is surrounded by Police.

This  women’s medical  facility can cover a large  area for  women in  need like Nasova, Nasese, Sukuna Road,  Domain Road,  McGregor Road, Pender Street,  Flagstaff,  USP,  Vatuwaqa,  and  Laucala  Bay.

It will be a great help to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) to relieve congestion at their maternity ward.

I remember as a kid when my dad was in the Fiji  Police  Force and  we  lived   in  Nasova,  every  Sunday  we  had our church services in this concrete three-story square building.

The ocean view is so beautiful and the people attending the medical facility can also enjoy one another’s company and a day of relaxation away from family burden.

Disaster and health

Floyd Robinson, Nasinu

Does a natural disaster impact people’s health?

The decline in vegetable supplies in our markets and high prices will certainly limit household’s ability to include vegetables in meals.

Meanwhile, processed items like noodles and potentially low nutritious foods are cheap as well as readily available.

Having to provide adequate food on the table for families can take priority over healthier and expensive meals.

The impacts of disasters on family meals and health should make an interesting research project.

US Presidential Election

Amenatave Yaconisau, Delainavesi

Like her predecessor John F. Kennedy Hilary Clinton has presented herself as ‘electable’ Since the loss to Barak Obama she has campaigned  for the Democratic course where she has acquired her political exposure.

Now the grind begins it seems with bare knuckles to fight with the republicans Trump who they like to  treat as the ‘bad guy and a joker’.  It seems they have made up their mind  on which poison to take.

Trump has said many terrible things  and had created a ramp  with women  Islams, and  Immigrants amongst others. He doesn’t know how to be a good conservative republican. This is a big blow  if he normally shoots from the hip  never avoiding gaffes to turn people off with racist vulgar remarks .

He has done irreparable damage and is no longer the republican  that we know.  A person who has split American society never seen before with his sickly  statements.  This is moral irresponsibility at its highest.  To me he reflects an image of disunity, disrespect, and disregard.

If Republicans find this attractive  then they can only alienate followers from the important issues. A loose cannon indeed.

 Policing social media

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Delta, BC, Canada

We all applaud the work of the Police when we read that a youth who allegedly posted obscene comments on social media about a little girl has appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court.

Wouldn’t it be good if all those who post lies, defamatory comments and use filthy language to curse others in the social media and some nasty blogsites are investigated and quickly brought to justice?

Yaconisau enjoys reading Fiji Sun

After retirement, Amenatave Yoconisau spent most of his time reading the Fiji Sun newspaper and writing letters to the editor.

Mr Yaconisau is Fiji Sun’s ‘Letter of the Month’ winner and has won himself a Micromax brand mobile phone.

He wrote a letter expressing his views on how the Vodafone Fijian 7s team lost to Kenya in the Singapore 7s Cup final.

“Fiji Sun is 16-years-old and for the last 16 years, I have been reading the Fiji Sun,” he said.

“Fiji Sun is the best newspaper which covers variety of news. Fiji Sun was best media in writing stories on Tropical Cyclone Winston and attractive picture which had attracted many people to assist the Fijian Government.”

The former human resources executive has worked for many private and Government organisations.

He is originally from Ra and lives with his family in Delainavesi, Lami.

“I am very happy to be Fiji Sun’s letter of the month winner and I will continue to write more letters to the editor,” he said.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback: shahani.mala@fijisun.com.fj

Fiji Sun’s Letter of the Week’ writer, Neelz Singh, 32, of Lami chooses to write on what he thinks is important and make a difference.

Mr Singh is an information technology (IT) course co-ordinator at Keshal’s Business Education Institute.

In his winning letter titled ‘Solar Option’ he highlighted that people should not rely on the Fiji Electricity Authority for power needs.

“I believe people should take responsibility and spend a little money to buy solar grills and use solar energy for electricity,” Mr Singh said.

“I chose this topic because I had heard so many people complain when the power’s off which isn’t right. People can buy solar panels instead of blaming FEA for power outages.”

His winning letter was published in the Fiji Sun on Thursday May 5, 2016.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback: ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj

Stuck in the rut

Raymond Chandra
Canada

The indigenous Fijian children have always been marginalised and unfairly treated as less intelligent and lazy children by the education system of Fiji.

After more than 40 years of independence from foreign rule the education system of Fiji is still stuck in the rut of old, obsolete and unnecessary external examinations that were devised by foreigners for expediency in the last century.

These are the same archaic examinations that had always put the indigenous Fijian children at a serious disadvantage in the school system during the colonial days.

By reason of geography thousands of indigenous Fijian children live in and grow up in remote rural parts of Fiji where neither the schools nor the learning resources that are accessible are nearly as good as those that are available to children who live in or near towns and cities.

Many indigenous Fijian children who come from their villages to live in towns and cities find their adjustment challenging and often become lost in the shuffle.

In spite of all their hardships all indigenous Fijian children have always been required to compete in the education system of Fiji with other children a nd pass a series of unnecessary external examinations the likes of which are unheard of in other countries in the 21st century.

It is indeed hard to understand whether it is an indefinite absence of perspicacity or an indefinite presence of complacency that is still keeping the series of century-old external examinations in the school system of Fiji.

A closer look at the number of indigenous Fijian children who try their best but still fail these examinations and drop out and at the growing number of young indigenous Fijian men and women serving terms in correction facilities gives a clear picture of the damaging effects of these old, purposeless examinations.

$4/hr pay

Narayan Reddy, Lautoka

The Trade Union wants the minimum wages to be increased from $2.32 to $4 per hour.

Most people will be happy with the kind of pay rise.

But do the union also realise what effect it will have on small business. My suggestion to the union would be to request the Ministry of Labour to check on businesses who are paying less then what is required to the poor workers.

I know of some workers who get $70/$80 for six days of work. With the unemployment problem that the young people of our country face, the $4 pay might put a lot of people without jobs.

Mother’s Day purpose

Pranil Ram, Nadi

While many mothers get a special treat on this special day, it is also time to remember those unfortunate mothers who are away from their families.

The key is to focus on the concept behind the treat instead of the actual treat. It is also a time to show mothers that they are appreciated. Mother’s Day is different for different people but it is important to recognise the work they do for their families. Their selfless love, affection and sacrifice are unmatched. Mother’s Day is just another day with a label attached. In fact everyday should be Mother’s Day.

While many Mother’s Day have come and gone, it comes with a single most important message – to realise the actual essence of Mother’s Day and cherish it.

Mother’s Day

Ashneel J Prasad, Auckland, NZ

My first baby steps. My first word. My first run. My first fall. She cries. My first day at school. My first heart-ache. My first prize. My first failure. She cries. My first job. My first salary. My first treat. My first promotion. She cries. My first vacation alone. My first night away. My first sickness. My first cough. She cries. My first fight with her. My first outburst. My first storming out. My first sorry. She cries. My first love, my Mother, not there, no more. One day I look back, I cry.

World views

Sukha Singh, Labasa

Zimbabwe is planning to print its own ‘US dollars’. No wonder Mugabe will rule till he dies.

River car find

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Namaka

A SOPAC Sonar equipment was used to try and detect the missing car during a search conducted in 2006 but to no avail.

The missing Malaysian Airline plane is still not being found or located despite the use of some of the world’s most sophisticated technologies available known to mankind involving developed nations.

Last week, a diver in Navua was on his normal diving routine for fish by the Navua River but unbeknown to him that he was about to unearth a 10-year-old unresolved missing persons report through his own natural instinct, talent and abilities, contrary to claims of what our dear Navua AOG church Reverend mentioned with his blame game together with claims by the nephew of the deceased in the divers inability to locate the car in 2006 and the failure of the SOPAC Sonar to detect the car.

They have been taught a great biblical lesson that everything on this earth is subject to the Great Lord Jehovah’s time and his mercy. I only wished they could have gone further and dive the Navua River to help find the car and its contents a year later. We would not have waited 10 years.

Everyone else seems to have stolen the limelight apart from this mystery unsung hero. He has been totally eliminated and no one seems to bother finding him to get his side of the story so he can relay his heroic responsible act.

Indeed, whoever he is, he must be commended and rewarded for his findings, courage and honesty by the Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho to be acknowledged and appreciated publicly.

For a very long time, Navua is abuzz today if it was not for him, but businesses in Navua should compensate the mystery man the coconut wireless know.

Thank you brave Fijian son, very inspirational, a good deed which certainly deserves, in my personal opinion, a recommendation to our Excellency the President of Fiji’s College of Honours to award him a Medal of the Order of Fiji.

It’s only fitting.

Fort McMurray

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Delta, BC, Canada

The last news reported on TV out here is that the fire at Fort McMurray has spread and destroyed 156,000 hectares of land and over 100,000 residents have moved or evacuated with just the clothes they wear.

One refugee who fled her country to seek refuge in Alberta, Canada, said that she feels like one again, having lost everything.

With Fiji’s current recovery mode, I guess all we can do is to pray for divine intervention to stop the fire and for the affected residents, who will have to start over again from scratch.

Fijian victim in Malaysia

Patricia Kailola, Suva

Thanks for not letting us forget about the young Fijian lady in gaol in Malaysia.

In our (Pacific Dialogue’s) human traffi cking awareness sessions I always tell people the story of the young lady from Nakasi, and every time it grieves me.

Her circumstance epitomises human traffi cking: how it uses innocent people, has no feeling, milks the victims for all it can and discards them when there is no more to draw from them, is deaf to victims’ cries and does not see, or shrugs off, the victims’ misery.

Thank you to staff of the Fiji High Commission in Kuala Lumpur for continuing to attend the needs of one of us. Human rights or not.

Minimum wages perspective

Nardeo Mishra, Suva

The unions want the minimum wages to be $4 but I would say $5.

Does not matter what we want but what is reasonable wages and how much the companies can afford to pay should be the factor to determine the minimum wages.

I am all for better conditions and wages for our workers but we have to be very careful not to push more people into unemployment. Do you know that in Australia unreasonable demands by the unions is closing factories everyday and they are moving overseas because they can’t afford it to keep a profitable operation.

Unions should be looking for the companies who are still not paying the minimum wages and take them to task or report to Labour Department.

I know the employees, employers and the unions want to work together to see that no one is disadvantaged in anyway and everyone gets a fair go.

Mother’s Day privilege

Sachida Rao, Nausori

Blessed are those who celebrated Mother’s Day with their mothers around.  A lot of gifts must have been offered to the mothers, a sumptuous lunch served, a lot of love given to the mothers.

Do remember all mothers deserve the same for all year round.  The pain of not having a mother is only felt when she is gone forever.

Not rebuilding churches

a blessing

Amenatave Yaconisau, Suva

The Prime Minister’s request that people rebuild their own churches destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Winston is a blessing in disguise.

It reminds me of the Lord’s request to David after the end of enslavement to the Egyptians II Samuel (5-17)

In return God promised to David a few things in return for building him a new house.

Amongst other things he promised he was going to make his name great.  Also he and his offsprings were going to rule in Israel’s kingdom forever.

He will cut off his enemies and wicked people will not oppress them.  David responded asking God if that is the usual way of dealing with man.   For people who will rebuild their churches remember the above promises.

QVS link

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Delta, BC, Canada

Congratulations to the letter of the month winner Amenatave Yaconisau and to Neelz Singh the winner of letter of the week.

Thank you Fiji Sun for this new initiative which will surely draw and encourage more readers, to write and express their opinion in this column.

The other daily has been doing the same for some years now, but winners are congratulated but their pictures are not taken or printed for readers to put a face on the name of the letter writer.

And speaking of putting a face on a writer, I believe if I met Mr Yaconisau in Suva, I would walk right pass him as my memory still has the face of a slim, handsome young man who first attended Queen Victoria School, before becoming a die-hard red fire.

I believe he was in my “Mighty Midgets” team of 1975, which was undefeated but lost in the finals at Buckhurst Park because of bad refereeing.

Now if I meet him in Suva, I will simply say, “Bula Amena, remember me, this is Narube.” He may freak out with unbelief, if his mind still remembers the slim guy with spectacles during his years in QVS.

Human rights or not

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Nadi

Every time I hear or read of something very horrible that has happened, I will ponder on the issue for quite some time and ask myself, is it a Fijian citizen’s human rights to go and murder anyone. Or to rape, sodomise and ultimately kill, a drunk driver kills two passengers, a mother kills her newborn, a grandfather rapes his granddaughter, arson suspect is family member, a man punches his brother to death, three burnt to their death, car plunge kills four, cocaine and marijuana traffickers, passenger bus tumbles and kills.

The list goes on; never ending. It is the trauma, fear and the loss of one’s life and livelihoods created by these perpetrators which will never be compensated for but leaves a lot of questions that needs answers.

These criminals are defended in court to be given a second chance in life by a defence lawyer or through the Legal Aid Commission after serving their sentences, but how about the innocent victims traumatised for the rest of their lives?

Our 2013 Constitution seems to be more lenient towards punishing these perpetrators than the relatives and families of the victims, but can someone from the Attorney-General’s office please explain in the national interest on what right does the victims have relevant to being compensated for the damage and loss without having to pay for a lawyer or can the state pay the victims for these perpetrators wrong?

These criminals’ negatively impact our economy and society but can the victims use the Legal Aid Commission to take up their respective cases. There is something definitely wrong with our laws; even animals do have their rights protected, but why have we done away with corporal punishment and the death penalty? They are the best deterrent.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Oceania Volleyball Championship- gold medal

Kelemedi Siganimate, Bluegas Eagles VB Club- Raiwai, Suva

We would like to congratulate the Fijian Volleyball teams for their remarkable achievement in winning gold in both the women’s and men’s category during the 2016 Handy Finance Oceania Volleyball Championship.

Also, I would like to acknowledge the Fiji Volleyball Federation and its organising committee for the tremendous effort and teamwork, together with all the various sponsors who made it all possible and especially the respective media coverage accorded for this Olympic sport.

Watching the games on TV was exciting and refreshing beside other major sports. There was no doubt that the thousands who witnessed the championship live on TV and via social media updates, were captivated through to the last whistle.

Let’s continue to support minor sports in Fiji

Curiosity and solutions

Kirti Patel, Mohan Singh Pl

Curiosity is not a bad thing. If someone is wondering that the “shutting down of Manohan building reeks of conspiracy and victimisation,’’ it does not necessarily mean that the person is expecting the members to continue working on a building declared unsafe? (FT 09/05). Am sure there are many out there having this curiosity.

While there can be other alternatives arranged for the workers which already is in progress, there’s no harm in taking the second opinion from the experts. Relocating is never an easy task. Thus, it is only normal to rectify all the possibilities before any major step is taken. We don’t normally come in a situation where out of nowhere a building is shaken and declared unsafe unless and until natural disaster strikes.

Sometimes it’s better to think outside the square. It’s not necessarily that those kinds of ideas are cheap; instead it’s the thinking ability as well. Some people just like to think of all the possible solutions before taking action.

Fatal accidents

Neelz Singh, Lami

Dear Readers, nearly every day, you come across fatal accidents on our roads claiming lives and leaving many injured. Major ones disobeying the road rule, overtaking on bridges and double marking lines, loud music, careless, dangerous, speeding and other offence lead on top.

Driver is a weapon behind those wheels if not driven properly and road codes are there to obey. We need more CCTV surveillance to put a stop on this. What happened to driving courtesy? Vinaka

Boxing

Amenatave Yaconisau, Suva

The quest for more money at higher weight can cost a life as shown to us on TV during the devastating knockout of Amir Khan by the Mexican Alvarez Conelo for the WBC Middleweight title of the world.

Khan moved up a weight or two to meet Canelo in his quest for more money.  This shouldn’t have been allowed by the World Boxing Council.

The brutal manner Amir was destroyed in the ring reminds people of the danger of the sport but more so the punishment people can take for big money.  It seems it was life threatening at one stage as they tried to revive Amir Khan who had mucus flying everywhere and a risk of brain hemorrhage from hitting his head on canvas.

Someone should protect people from such brutal sports.

Bank deductions

Ajai Kumar, Nadi

There was a time when bank staff were authorised to certify certain documents since they were considered diligent and trustworthy.

Now they can’t apply correct tax laws and deduct withholding tax at the wrong percentage. Instead of reversing over deducted tax on the statement, they should write to each affected customer and explain how much in total was over deducted and where and when it was paid back.

The Consumer Council of Fiji should now look at credit card charges. I have just encountered a merchant who was going to deduct 3.5 per cent charge on my visa debit card on the advice of the bank.

Committed

Wise Muavono, Lautoka

The price of kava may have risen but it won’t stop the committed from indulging from their favourite beverage. Hahaha.

Real measure

Fulori Turaga , Suva

Can we say that Fiji is making progress towards the eradication of violence against girls and women, when on the other hand, there are no measures to indicate whether such horrendous and appalling actions are increasing or decreasing?

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

From PNG

Marks Okki, Port Moresby, PNG

I was on a business tour to Suva last month and now I am back in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. I lost a contact number plus our partnership business address of my business partner who is currently operating at Nausori Market.

I am asking if somebody from the Nausori Market to pass my information to Miss Vini, owner of Craft Stool, to write to me on this address:

Marks Okki

Manager Operations

Derihe Security Service

PO Box 1953 Bokoko, NCD

Port Moresby, PNG

Contact number: 79083870

Total Fiji

Dr Gyan Prasad, Namosi

Total Fiji has a very savvy commercial on TV whereby aliens land at one of their service stations and are very impressed with their services.

However, I am not impressed.

A majority of their service stations do not accept debit or credit cards and some tyre pressure gauge and inflators are not functional. Maybe the service stations are only meant to serve space ships because they don’t run on tyres.

Truck accident

Jason Verma, Wailoku

Sad to hear a man lost his life after being rammed by a 10-wheeler truck at Namadi Heights.

Has anyone recently noticed the behaviour of drivers in these monster trucks zooming past cars and people, and having no regards for anyone? How many of these trucks have veered off roads and bridges?

Are they legally carrying the weight that they are required to carry, or because of the overweight they are unable to stop within the required distance?

It’s high time something must be done to educate these drivers that there are other road users as well.

Loss of skilled workers

Dorsami Naidu, Nadi

We in Fiji are facing a huge shortage of skilled labour in the building industry, agriculture, IT industry, electrical trade and medical field, just to name a few.

We are unable to train our citizens to fill the gaps due to migration of our trained personnel to Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada. It has become an expensive exercise but one cannot blame people who want to leave for greener pastures.

The question is how do we replace them or acquire personnel with ready-made skills without spending resources we do not possess.

I for one feel that we should take advantage of the refugees/migrants from the Middle East, Asia or Africa who possess these skills and have been displaced and are seeking a new and viable home.

Fiji could easily take a thousand or more of these people and this would be mutually beneficial. Unlike Australia or Trump we should not be paranoid.

We, would by opening our doors, show our humanitarian side and give credence to those often repeated words ‘Fiji the way the world should be’.

Queen’s message

Raymond Chandra, Canada

On her 90th birthday last week Her Majesty the Queen of Britain said: “If you want to live long, don’t die.”

She and I were both born in the 1920s; she in Britain and I in the former British colony of Fiji. I am bound by my loyalty to Her Majesty to continue obeying her orders and not die.

Disciplined children

Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu

A week before the school break I caught a bus from Nadi to Lautoka and it was just in time for school children getting home.

The bus I was in stopped at Namaka Public school. I was caught by surprise in the orderly manner in which the students entered the bus and seated at the front end of the bus and were hardly noisy of shouting or forcing their way through.

Seeing all these without any supervision was even more surprising. That was the only school we picked up on the way. When they disembarked it was in the similar manner they came in. Vinaka, to the teachers of Namaka Public school!

Compared to Suva, it was the total opposite. They will run in shouting and yelling, change seats every now and then, smack each other, pass food around and even shout at people outside or in other buses.

The manners make the journey annoying. I hope the teachers in the Suva schools learn something from the teachers at Namaka Public School.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Letters quality

Devlin Chung, Brisbane

It is without a doubt that I find the contributions of ‘Letters to the Editor” very interesting and constructive on the affairs in Fiji.

The quality and standard of writing from locals have come a long way since in well expressed and choice opinions making the articles well worth reading.

It is very encouraging to reward contributors as writer of the month hence developing the standard of writing which was once the bastion of English being their only language spoken at home.

Keep up the good thought provoking contributions to all those whose passion runs high as amateur writers.

Good Samaritans

Pradeep Chand, Tavua

Who says there is a shortage of Good Samaritans?

International Congress of Fiji Incorporated Services deserves acknowledgement for their support to Fijian schools for over a decade.

Tavua College is indeed fortunate to have received a container load of furniture from New Zealand last month. This eventuated when Ahmed Bhamji Babu visited Fiji to see firsthand damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston. It did not take him long to gather support in New Zealnd and Australia for Tavua College from members of ICF Incorporated.

I am informed that Mr Bhamji was able to convince Air New Zealand to assist Tavua College. This discussion eventuated in Tavua College receiving some very good quality furniture.

On behalf of Tavua College management, students, teachers and parents, I wish to thank Mr Bhamji, Air New Zealand and the members of ICF Incorporated for delivering a container load of furniture at our door step at no cost to us.

May God bless us all.

Road to Grace Kitchen

Neelz Singh, Lami

A big vinaka to the Grace Road Kitchen team for providing such a healthy chain of menu in their restaurant.

Now consider the price since all the food served are locally-grown in Navua and also I3 was surprised to see the variety of dishes in Korean served in local style.

Considered favourite and healthy will be a wise choice for your family if you are dining out. We need to promote locally grown and healthy food.

Keep in mind reasonable prices to suit all customers.

GCC reinstatement

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Namaka, Nadi

In the composition of our Great Council of Chiefs, can Reverend Akuila Yabaki educate the general public on the eligibility and criteria of all those past registered members and which vanua from the three confederacies do they represent as compared to why the non-eligibility of other iTaukei non- member chiefs, why only a chosen few with their ill-conceived political agendas?

Their nominations smack of discrimination and elitism representing only a few and realistically Timoci Gaunavinaka is absolutely correct in that they do not represent all iTaukei landowners in his letter 08/05/16 contrary to Akuila’s letter of May 11 in the other newspaper.

It is also a known fact that no chief in our country owns any land as it was either given to them through kinship or for a generous kind deed; it is his clan members that own the resources through their individual tokatoka, mataqali and yavusa respectively or communally owned similar to those from the province of Kadavu and Rewa.

Can he specifically give statistics on the exact number of bonafide VKB registered iTaukei landowners and from which part of Fiji those are still adamant our Government reinstate the taxpayer money-wasting and unproductive rubber stamp, the Great Council of Chiefs.

Please Rev Yabaki, do not speculate but provide statistical evidence but contrary to your claims, the majority of eligible registered iTaukei voters had agreed and mandated our FijiFirst Government through their votes to show their support for the abolishment of the GCC in the September 14, 2014 elections.

This time around in our 2018 election, we will again reconfirm but with a much bigger stunning overwhelming iTaukei majority to register our dissatisfaction and opposition to its existence as it is no longer relevant in our multiracial country.

But apart from the 95 per cent of chiefs who supported the Voreqe Bainimarama Government and who are also signatories and founding members of the FijiFirst political party which also included high chiefs from Kadavu, Rewa, Tailevu, Vanualevu, Lomaiviti, Yasawa and the whole Western Division, Ro Teimumu is on record in Parliament saying she will reinstate the GCC through a SODELPA special funding.

I look forward to seeing the composition of its members of her GCC.

Best bus ride ever

Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu

Recently a bus ride from Lautoka to Suva was the best ever I have been on.

With two movies and no interruption at all, even no checker checking the tickets till our arrival in Suva.

The only stopover was at Sigatoka just to stretch your legs but apart from that everything was just perfect.

The air conditioning was in working order, the seats were comfortable and the bus clean as ever. Hope all the long rides are of a similar nature.

Olympic gold test

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Delta, BC, Canada

It is great that coach Ben Ryan will be aiming for the Vodafone Fijian 7s team to finish on a high note in the World Sevens Series by winning the last two remaining legs in Paris and London (FS 9/5).

If our boys do win back to back, then they are surely on track of making history by winning the first Olympic Gold medal for Fiji, ever.

I am looking at it this way: the Vodafone Fijian 7s team rested and won the Las Vegas title. They rested again and won Hong Kong.

If they win the Paris title this week after having rested, then our boys have passed the Olympic Gold  test because of consistency.

Go Fiji go!

Man-made
natural disaster

Wise Muavono , Lautoka

Global warming, threatening the survival of our civilisation and the habitability of the earth. How ironic that it is a man-made natural disaster. Sad eh !

Tragedies

Kirti Patel , Lautoka

So many tragedies are taking place here recently, from missing people to road accidents and to murders.

Makes one wonder what is happening to our paradise. Our slogan “Fiji the way the world should be,” is fading away.

God knows what the reasons are, but it is not reflecting a good picture for our paradise. Hope common sense prevails.

May God bless Fiji!

Letters quality

Devlin Chung, Brisbane

It is without a doubt that I find the contributions of ‘Letters to the Editor” very interesting and constructive on the affairs in Fiji.

The quality and standard of writing from locals have come a long way since in well expressed and choice opinions making the articles well worth reading.

It is very encouraging to reward contributors as writer of the month hence developing the standard of writing which was once the bastion of English being their only language spoken at home.

Keep up the good thought provoking contributions to all those whose passion runs high as amateur writers.

Good Samaritans

Pradeep Chand, Tavua

Who says there is a shortage of Good Samaritans?

International Congress of Fiji Incorporated Services deserves acknowledgement for their support to Fijian schools for over a decade.

Tavua College is indeed fortunate to have received a container load of furniture from New Zealand last month. This eventuated when Ahmed Bhamji Babu visited Fiji to see firsthand damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Winston. It did not take him long to gather support in New Zealnd and Australia for Tavua College from members of ICF Incorporated.

I am informed that Mr Bhamji was able to convince Air New Zealand to assist Tavua College. This discussion eventuated in Tavua College receiving some very good quality furniture.

On behalf of Tavua College management, students, teachers and parents, I wish to thank Mr Bhamji, Air New Zealand and the members of ICF Incorporated for delivering a container load of furniture at our door step at no cost to us.

May God bless us all.

Road to Grace Kitchen

Neelz Singh, Lami

A big vinaka to the Grace Road Kitchen team for providing such a healthy chain of menu in their restaurant.

Now consider the price since all the food served are locally-grown in Navua and also I3 was surprised to see the variety of dishes in Korean served in local style.

Considered favourite and healthy will be a wise choice for your family if you are dining out. We need to promote locally grown and healthy food.

Keep in mind reasonable prices to suit all customers.

GCC reinstatement

Tukai Lagonilakeba, Namaka, Nadi

In the composition of our Great Council of Chiefs, can Reverend Akuila Yabaki educate the general public on the eligibility and criteria of all those past registered members and which vanua from the three confederacies do they represent as compared to why the non-eligibility of other iTaukei non- member chiefs, why only a chosen few with their ill-conceived political agendas?

Their nominations smack of discrimination and elitism representing only a few and realistically Timoci Gaunavinaka is absolutely correct in that they do not represent all iTaukei landowners in his letter 08/05/16 contrary to Akuila’s letter of May 11 in the other newspaper.

It is also a known fact that no chief in our country owns any land as it was either given to them through kinship or for a generous kind deed; it is his clan members that own the resources through their individual tokatoka, mataqali and yavusa respectively or communally owned similar to those from the province of Kadavu and Rewa.

Can he specifically give statistics on the exact number of bonafide VKB registered iTaukei landowners and from which part of Fiji those are still adamant our Government reinstate the taxpayer money-wasting and unproductive rubber stamp, the Great Council of Chiefs.

Please Rev Yabaki, do not speculate but provide statistical evidence but contrary to your claims, the majority of eligible registered iTaukei voters had agreed and mandated our FijiFirst Government through their votes to show their support for the abolishment of the GCC in the September 14, 2014 elections.

This time around in our 2018 election, we will again reconfirm but with a much bigger stunning overwhelming iTaukei majority to register our dissatisfaction and opposition to its existence as it is no longer relevant in our multiracial country.

But apart from the 95 per cent of chiefs who supported the Voreqe Bainimarama Government and who are also signatories and founding members of the FijiFirst political party which also included high chiefs from Kadavu, Rewa, Tailevu, Vanualevu, Lomaiviti, Yasawa and the whole Western Division, Ro Teimumu is on record in Parliament saying she will reinstate the GCC through a SODELPA special funding.

I look forward to seeing the composition of its members of her GCC.

Best bus ride ever

Tomasi Boginiso, Nasinu

Recently a bus ride from Lautoka to Suva was the best ever I have been on.

With two movies and no interruption at all, even no checker checking the tickets till our arrival in Suva.

The only stopover was at Sigatoka just to stretch your legs but apart from that everything was just perfect.

The air conditioning was in working order, the seats were comfortable and the bus clean as ever. Hope all the long rides are of a similar nature.

Olympic gold test

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Delta, BC, Canada

It is great that coach Ben Ryan will be aiming for the Vodafone Fijian 7s team to finish on a high note in the World Sevens Series by winning the last two remaining legs in Paris and London (FS 9/5).

If our boys do win back to back, then they are surely on track of making history by winning the first Olympic Gold medal for Fiji, ever.

I am looking at it this way: the Vodafone Fijian 7s team rested and won the Las Vegas title. They rested again and won Hong Kong.

If they win the Paris title this week after having rested, then our boys have passed the Olympic Gold  test because of consistency.

Go Fiji go!

Man-made
natural disaster

Wise Muavono , Lautoka

Global warming, threatening the survival of our civilisation and the habitability of the earth. How ironic that it is a man-made natural disaster. Sad eh !

Tragedies

Kirti Patel , Lautoka

So many tragedies are taking place here recently, from missing people to road accidents and to murders.

Makes one wonder what is happening to our paradise. Our slogan “Fiji the way the world should be,” is fading away.

God knows what the reasons are, but it is not reflecting a good picture for our paradise. Hope common sense prevails.

May God bless Fiji!

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Is this right?

Aisake Buadromo,  Suva

Recovery Tuakau Community Children Donates for Winston victims, whereby sports equipment was donated by children of the Tuakau community in Manukau, New Zealand, for those schools ravaged by Cyclone Winston.

My concern is, why was Samabula Primary School in Suva included in the distribution when it was not affected by the cyclone.

There are numerous schools that were devastated and these equipment would have been a blessing to them, and they rightly deserve it more than Samabula Primary School. And for it to receive some of the equipment contradicts the vision and the desires of the children in Manukau, New Zealand.

Environment tax

Josaia Rayawa, Savusavu

Questions have arisen over the relevance of the environmental tax of six per cent.

For me, I do not question the relevance, but I do question the validity in applying it solely on the tourism industry at a level of six per cent. Where is the rest of Fiji on this?

Much of the environmental degradation in this country is caused by the people of this country. Yes, I said it – from our school children, families to communities, from local businesses to transport, mining and manufacturers. We are all the major contributors to the detriment of our environment and the lack of respect we show it, by the way we live and conduct our business. Why aren’t other local industries being levied for the direct negative impact their industries is having on the environment too? Who is responsible for their clean-up? Will the tourism industry’s six per cent levy be responsible for the cleanup of environmental misdemeanours of the rest of the country?  Who are being called to account for it? How effective are these laws in terms of enforcement?

If no one is going to say it outright, then I want to. The impact of the current tax format is already affecting the tourism industry and its ability to remain competitive and the cost-benefit analysis suggest the cost in Fiji is outweighing the benefits, not to mention, value.  The front room reality is that we could and may well be out-pricing ourselves, already.

I had a guest who articulated to me the experience of his seven-day holiday in Fiji. He said: “I came off your plane (referring to the national airline), and I took your taxi spouting black smoke (referring to a taxi that came by the airport), I ate your food, I drank your beer, I slept in your hotels, I had a swim at a nearby beach, I was asked not to go on the coral area and I respected the notion behind it. But I saw other locals enjoying themselves at their reef, I went fishing on your boat (referring to a local hire he made). All of these, I paid for with the relevant taxes applied. Then you want me to pay a six per cent tax on top of it just because I used the environment where these local businesses ran?”

His frustration, along with the mild sarcasm, was telling, but point, well taken nonetheless. In all seriousness, however, how does one respond honestly to that? It’s tough wanting to maintain the tax laws of the country and trying to ensure we don’t lose customers at the same time. It’s a balancing act that many people who are not in the industry, fully appreciate.

I just want the Government of my beloved country to create an open business environment, amenable to all. The addition of the six per cent tax is likened to ‘throwing a spanner in the works’ and hope it will work itself out. There just seem to be no proper thought process and dialogue put behind it. All it creates is confusion. I know, businesses are not going to be upfront about it. No-one wants to be seen as not being ‘part of the team’.

My view is that we need to be upfront about it to help contribute to making a difference. Because if we don’t, someone is getting the proverbial boot ‘up you know where’.  If it’s not the taxpayer; it’s the visitor, for sure.

I am grateful to the visitors who express their views because it is good for us to know. What is sad is that there are many thousands of visitors who will come to our country and most probably will not say a thing, but will most likely never return.

The tourism industry and Government already spend millions to attract visitors to create collective millions of dollars in revenue to this country.

On top of that we tax them again for just ‘soiling their feet’ on our piece of earth. That is the backroom perception out there.

Meanwhile, day in and day out, Fijian consumers are totally oblivious to their daily bad habit that is, having a direct negative impact on our environment.

Government should not be responsible for environment clean-ups. The citizens of the country ought to be. The corporates who muck up ought to be. Shame on us for not taking note of the seriousness of this matter!

If we can just grasp the full length of our responsibilities as citizens, then there is no reason for Government to issue an environmental tax at such a level or to one specific industry, for that matter.

Already, this sends a wrong signal to industry stakeholders suggesting the tourism industry is solely responsible for the environment. If anyone understands the importance of the environment, it is the tourism industry stakeholders and visitors.

I have heard many times over in my 27 years of experience in the industry from visitors and tourism trade partners who sell Fiji overseas, on why we, as Fijians, are not as responsible enough about our own environment. It is a real shame. Everyone needs to take care of their own mess. You pay for your own mess.

That’s where Government policy ought to focus more on and strongly enforce the policy. Just as LTA is responsible for fining those who break the law pertaining to vehicles and roads, an Environmental Police unit could be established for example to monitor and fine people and businesses who fail to uphold the environmental law and hit them hard. Issue 10-15-30 day notices to clean their mess or pick up a major fine. Don’t take it again to the courts, I say. Do seriously consider this and call up a think-tank of experts who can volunteer their time and intellectual property to design a policy that has teeth and will be a deterrent.

I understand the importance of taxes in running a government machinery. It is unavoidable, but that does not mean it cannot be exercised with some degree of wisdom.

I pray this will be food for thought for our leaders as they debate the national budget for the new year.

If we don’t exercise wisdom in the management of our environment, then the “Happiness” brand will simply fizzle out and it will be the death of our long-standing tourism reputation.

Reputation is everything in this global business.

May 14

Sachida Rao,  Nausori

Today, May 14, marks two historical events in Fiji.

Firstly, the arrival of the indentured labourers or the Girmitiyas who toiled the land to establish the sugar industry.

Secondly, the arrival of the coup culture that almost destroyed the sugar industry and crippled the nation. Let’s all remember the Girmitiyas and support the salvage of the sugar industry.

Special thanks and gratitude to the village of Naselai and nearby for taking care of the survivors of the “Syria” that wrecked in the Naselai waters. I suppose the bell from the Syria is still hanging and ringing loud at the village church.

May 14, 1987

Kishore Kumar,  Suva

On May 14, 1987, Sitiveni Rabuka, third in rank, executed a mutiny and minutes later, a coup in Fiji.

Rabuka said the purpose of the coup was to return political power to Fijian hands and demanded that changes in the 1970 Constitution guaranteeing iTaukei Fijian control of the government.

The Great Council of Chiefs met and gave their support to the Rabuka regime with a mandate to amend the Constitution. Bowing to international pressure, Rabuka eventually handed control over the government to the Governor-General. However, Rabuka remained in command of the army and Police. An Interim Government formed straight after the May 14,1987 coup, with Interim Ministers, selected by the Great Council of Chiefs.

On September 25,1987 Rabuka executed another coup but this time removed the Interim iTaukei-controlled government.

The first coup was to remove, Fijians of Indian descent from Government. However, the second coup of Rabuka puzzled Fijian citizens.

What was the second coup on September 25,1987 all about?

Superstitious Day

Floyd Robinson,  Nasinu

If Friday May 13 is believed to be the Black Friday, then what does this make of Saturday May 14?

Is it a White Saturday or just so much superstition about Friday 13. Regardless, enjoy the weekend and don’t let superstition rule one’s mind.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Is this right?

Aisake Buadromo,  Suva

Recovery Tuakau Community Children Donates for Winston victims, whereby sports equipment was donated by children of the Tuakau community in Manukau, New Zealand, for those schools ravaged by Cyclone Winston.

My concern is, why was Samabula Primary School in Suva included in the distribution when it was not affected by the cyclone.

There are numerous schools that were devastated and these equipment would have been a blessing to them, and they rightly deserve it more than Samabula Primary School. And for it to receive some of the equipment contradicts the vision and the desires of the children in Manukau, New Zealand.

Environment tax

Josaia Rayawa, Savusavu

Questions have arisen over the relevance of the environmental tax of six per cent.

For me, I do not question the relevance, but I do question the validity in applying it solely on the tourism industry at a level of six per cent. Where is the rest of Fiji on this?

Much of the environmental degradation in this country is caused by the people of this country. Yes, I said it – from our school children, families to communities, from local businesses to transport, mining and manufacturers. We are all the major contributors to the detriment of our environment and the lack of respect we show it, by the way we live and conduct our business. Why aren’t other local industries being levied for the direct negative impact their industries is having on the environment too? Who is responsible for their clean-up? Will the tourism industry’s six per cent levy be responsible for the cleanup of environmental misdemeanours of the rest of the country?  Who are being called to account for it? How effective are these laws in terms of enforcement?

If no one is going to say it outright, then I want to. The impact of the current tax format is already affecting the tourism industry and its ability to remain competitive and the cost-benefit analysis suggest the cost in Fiji is outweighing the benefits, not to mention, value.  The front room reality is that we could and may well be out-pricing ourselves, already.

I had a guest who articulated to me the experience of his seven-day holiday in Fiji. He said: “I came off your plane (referring to the national airline), and I took your taxi spouting black smoke (referring to a taxi that came by the airport), I ate your food, I drank your beer, I slept in your hotels, I had a swim at a nearby beach, I was asked not to go on the coral area and I respected the notion behind it. But I saw other locals enjoying themselves at their reef, I went fishing on your boat (referring to a local hire he made). All of these, I paid for with the relevant taxes applied. Then you want me to pay a six per cent tax on top of it just because I used the environment where these local businesses ran?”   

His frustration, along with the mild sarcasm, was telling, but point, well taken nonetheless. In all seriousness, however, how does one respond honestly to that? It’s tough wanting to maintain the tax laws of the country and trying to ensure we don’t lose customers at the same time. It’s a balancing act that many people who are not in the industry, fully appreciate.     

I just want the Government of my beloved country to create an open business environment, amenable to all. The addition of the six per cent tax is likened to ‘throwing a spanner in the works’ and hope it will work itself out. There just seem to be no proper thought process and dialogue put behind it. All it creates is confusion. I know, businesses are not going to be upfront about it. No-one wants to be seen as not being ‘part of the team’.

My view is that we need to be upfront about it to help contribute to making a difference. Because if we don’t, someone is getting the proverbial boot ‘up you know where’.  If it’s not the taxpayer; it’s the visitor, for sure.

I am grateful to the visitors who express their views because it is good for us to know. What is sad is that there are many thousands of visitors who will come to our country and most probably will not say a thing, but will most likely never return.                   

The tourism industry and Government already spend millions to attract visitors to create collective millions of dollars in revenue to this country.

On top of that we tax them again for just ‘soiling their feet’ on our piece of earth. That is the backroom perception out there.

Meanwhile, day in and day out, Fijian consumers are totally oblivious to their daily bad habit that is, having a direct negative impact on our environment.

Government should not be responsible for environment clean-ups. The citizens of the country ought to be. The corporates who muck up ought to be. Shame on us for not taking note of the seriousness of this matter!

If we can just grasp the full length of our responsibilities as citizens, then there is no reason for Government to issue an environmental tax at such a level or to one specific industry, for that matter.

Already, this sends a wrong signal to industry stakeholders suggesting the tourism industry is solely responsible for the environment. If anyone understands the importance of the environment, it is the tourism industry stakeholders and visitors.

I have heard many times over in my 27 years of experience in the industry from visitors and tourism trade partners who sell Fiji overseas, on why we, as Fijians, are not as responsible enough about our own environment. It is a real shame. Everyone needs to take care of their own mess. You pay for your own mess.

That’s where Government policy ought to focus more on and strongly enforce the policy. Just as LTA is responsible for fining those who break the law pertaining to vehicles and roads, an Environmental Police unit could be established for example to monitor and fine people and businesses who fail to uphold the environmental law and hit them hard. Issue 10-15-30 day notices to clean their mess or pick up a major fine. Don’t take it again to the courts, I say. Do seriously consider this and call up a think-tank of experts who can volunteer their time and intellectual property to design a policy that has teeth and will be a deterrent.           

I understand the importance of taxes in running a government machinery. It is unavoidable, but that does not mean it cannot be exercised with some degree of wisdom.

I pray this will be food for thought for our leaders as they debate the national budget for the new year.

If we don’t exercise wisdom in the management of our environment, then the “Happiness” brand will simply fizzle out and it will be the death of our long-standing tourism reputation.

Reputation is everything in this global business.

May 14

Sachida Rao,  Nausori

Today, May 14, marks two historical events in Fiji.

Firstly, the arrival of the indentured labourers or the Girmitiyas who toiled the land to establish the sugar industry.

Secondly, the arrival of the coup culture that almost destroyed the sugar industry and crippled the nation. Let’s all remember the Girmitiyas and support the salvage of the sugar industry.

Special thanks and gratitude to the village of Naselai and nearby for taking care of the survivors of the “Syria” that wrecked in the Naselai waters. I suppose the bell from the Syria is still hanging and ringing loud at the village church.

May 14, 1987

Kishore Kumar,  Suva

On May 14, 1987, Sitiveni Rabuka, third in rank, executed a mutiny and minutes later, a coup in Fiji.

Rabuka said the purpose of the coup was to return political power to Fijian hands and demanded that changes in the 1970 Constitution guaranteeing iTaukei Fijian control of the government.

The Great Council of Chiefs met and gave their support to the Rabuka regime with a mandate to amend the Constitution. Bowing to international pressure, Rabuka eventually handed control over the government to the Governor-General. However, Rabuka remained in command of the army and Police. An Interim Government formed straight after the May 14,1987 coup, with Interim Ministers, selected by the Great Council of Chiefs.

On September 25,1987 Rabuka executed another coup but this time removed the Interim iTaukei-controlled government.

The first coup was to remove, Fijians of Indian descent from Government. However, the second coup of Rabuka puzzled Fijian citizens.

What was the second coup on September 25,1987 all about?

Superstitious Day

Floyd Robinson,  Nasinu

If Friday May 13 is believed to be the Black Friday, then what does this make of Saturday May 14?

Is it a White Saturday or just so much superstition about Friday 13. Regardless, enjoy the weekend and don’t let superstition rule one’s mind.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

The GCC evolution

Timoci Gaunavinaka, Nausori

I thank those writers who tried so hard to justify the existence and relevance of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) from some historical records of 100 to 200 years ago, including the era commonly known as “daku-ni-kuila”.

Archaeological and scientific records (via radio-carbon dating) showed that Fiji was settled more than 1260BC. That is more than 3260 years ago.

This would mean that this 200 year chapter of our history is just six per cent of Fiji’s overall human settlement history. (200/3260 = 0.06).

This would mean that 94 per cent of Fiji’s human geographical history is unaccounted for.

For this fundamental reason, we cannot logically claim that this chosen six per cent chapter of our recent history is the only true representative example of our iTaukei culture and traditional heritage.

Even the arrival of the gun changed the balance of power in our tribal war history and if we’re allowed to continue without the arrival of missionaries, who knows? May be some paramount chiefly families of today would be commoners and vise-a-versa.

What is relevant today is that under the current registration of native land ownership on the VKB (Vola ni Kawa Bula) is distributed on tokatoka, mataqali and yavusa lines.

No native land is registered to belong to a yasana, matanitu or even to a vanua. That is what we should base our argument on today.

In some parts of Fiji, some mataqali and tokatoka own more lands than some yavusa.

In some places, there are three villages, all from the same yavusa and in some places like in Sanasana in Nadroga that has seven yavusa in one single village (including two yavusa vakarurugi).

Our culture and tradition has been evolving for thousands of years and will continue to so.

Even some hardcore supporters of the GCC in the Opposition bench in Parliament have non-iTaukei blood running in the veins of their own families today making them very much part of this evolution.

We have progressed well and peacefully for almost 10 years without the GCC and we should continue to do so as the people of this country mandated in the result of the last election.

GCC opinion

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Canada

From all the different views raised in this column regarding the GCC, I have come to the conclusion that this body should remain buried.

First, it is incorrect to try and associate the devastation by Severe TC Winston to the GCC issue and throw in the end of 2 Samuel verse17 to justify the claim.

King David’s sin or disobedience caused the death of 70,000 people, which could have been saved if he had repented and sought God’s forgiveness in the first place.

Secondly, if the GCC is reinstated to advise Government on matters affecting the iTaukei people, then what would be the role of the iTaukei Land Trust Board and iTaukei Affairs?

Being a body formed by the colonial government, does its reinstatement mean Fiji having a senate?

Is it the individual iTaukei chief or the GCC as a body that is recognised internationally as a human right as per UN Declaration of Indigenous Peoples and Minorities September 2007? Does this mean that our chiefs have ceased to be one in the last 10 years when the GCC as a body was out of action?

There has been a lot of talk regarding GCC and the management of iTaukei land. Shouldn’t the three heads of the vanua or confederacies sit down with chiefs and landowners and handle land matters within their own vanua?

In the last 10 years land and iTaukei matters have been handled by the ILTB and iTaukei Affairs or by the landowners themselves chaired by their chiefs. So why waste money and resources to get all the 250 plus chiefs together just to discuss matters that could be solved within ones own mataqali, yavusa, itokatoka, vanua, tikina or yasana?

Fiji is now enjoying its new democracy and Fijians are happy with all the achievements so far, without the GCC and I believe many want to move forward as one people on a level playing field.

What do we normally do when we are paying two people who seem to be doing the same job?

Domestic violence

Floyd Robinson,  Nasinu

Recent revelations about domestic violence are alarming.

One newspaper reported at least 6 out of 10 women in Fiji will be abused in their own homes. This is definitely a worrying statistic.

What does it make of us as a society?

What message does it send to children who are observing domestic violence before their eyes at home?

Definitely a time for change! Better late than never!

Letter Of The Week Winner

Environment tax 

Josaia Rayawa,  Savusavu

Questions have arisen over the relevance of the environmental tax of six per cent.

For me, I do not question the relevance, but I do question the validity in applying it solely on the tourism industry at a level of six per cent. Where is the rest of Fiji on this?

Much of the environmental degradation in this country is caused by the people of this country. Yes, I said it – from our school children, families to communities, from local businesses to transport, mining and manufacturers. We are all the major contributors to the detriment of our environment and the lack of respect we show it, by the way we live and conduct our business. Why aren’t other local industries being levied for the direct negative impact their industries is having on the environment too? Who is responsible for their clean-up? Will the tourism industry’s six per cent levy be responsible for the cleanup of environmental misdemeanours of the rest of the country?  Who are being called to account for it? How effective are these laws in terms of enforcement?

If no one is going to say it outright, then I want to. The impact of the current tax format is already affecting the tourism industry and its ability to remain competitive and the cost-benefit analysis suggest the cost in Fiji is outweighing the benefits, not to mention, value.  The front room reality is that we could and may well be out-pricing ourselves, already.

I had a guest who articulated to me the experience of his seven-day holiday in Fiji. He said: “I came off your plane (referring to the national airline), and I took your taxi spouting black smoke (referring to a taxi that came by the airport), I ate your food, I drank your beer, I slept in your hotels, I had a swim at a nearby beach, I was asked not to go on the coral area and I respected the notion behind it. But I saw other locals enjoying themselves at their reef, I went fishing on your boat (referring to a local hire he made). All of these, I paid for with the relevant taxes applied. Then you want me to pay a six per cent tax on top of it just because I used the environment where these local businesses ran?”   

His frustration, along with the mild sarcasm, was telling, but point, well taken nonetheless. In all seriousness, however, how does one respond honestly to that? It’s tough wanting to maintain the tax laws of the country and trying to ensure we don’t lose customers at the same time. It’s a balancing act that many people who are not in the industry, fully appreciate.     

I just want the Government of my beloved country to create an open business environment, amenable to all.

The addition of the six per cent tax is likened to ‘throwing a spanner in the works’ and hope it will work itself out. There just seem to be no proper thought process and dialogue put behind it. All it creates is confusion. I know, businesses are not going to be upfront about it. No-one wants to be seen as not being ‘part of the team’.

My view is that we need to be upfront about it to help contribute to making a difference. Because if we don’t, someone is getting the proverbial boot ‘up you know where’.  If it’s not the taxpayer; it’s the visitor, for sure.

I am grateful to the visitors who express their views because it is good for us to know. What is sad is that there are many thousands of visitors who will come to our country and most probably will not say a thing, but will most likely never return.                   

The tourism industry and Government already spend millions to attract visitors to create collective millions of dollars in revenue to this country.

On top of that we tax them again for just ‘soiling their feet’ on our piece of earth. That is the backroom perception out there. 

Meanwhile, day in and day out, Fijian consumers are totally oblivious to their daily bad habit that is, having a direct negative impact on our environment.

Government should not be responsible for environment clean-ups. The citizens of the country ought to be. The corporates who muck up ought to be. Shame on us for not taking note of the seriousness of this matter!

If we can just grasp the full length of our responsibilities as citizens, then there is no reason for Government to issue an environmental tax at such a level or to one specific industry, for that matter.

Already, this sends a wrong signal to industry stakeholders suggesting the tourism industry is solely responsible for the environment. If anyone understands the importance of the environment, it is the tourism industry stakeholders and visitors.

I have heard many times over in my 27 years of experience in the industry from visitors and tourism trade partners who sell Fiji overseas, on why we, as Fijians, are not as responsible enough about our own environment. It is a real shame. Everyone needs to take care of their own mess. You pay for your own mess.

That’s where Government policy ought to focus more on and strongly enforce the policy. Just as LTA is responsible for fining those who break the law pertaining to vehicles and roads, an Environmental Police unit could be established for example to monitor and fine people and businesses who fail to uphold the environmental law and hit them hard. Issue 10-15-30 day notices to clean their mess or pick up a major fine. Don’t take it again to the courts, I say.

Do seriously consider this and call up a think-tank of experts who can volunteer their time and intellectual property to design a policy that has teeth and will be a deterrent.           

I understand the importance of taxes in running a government machinery. It is unavoidable, but that does not mean it cannot be exercised with some degree of wisdom.

I pray this will be food for thought for our leaders as they debate the national budget for the new year. 

If we don’t exercise wisdom in the management of our environment, then the “Happiness” brand will simply fizzle out and it will be the death of our long-standing tourism reputation.

Reputation is everything in this global business.

Josaia Rayawa will receive a pen from the Fiji Sun as our Letter of the Week winner.

Feedback:  jyotip@fijisun.com.fj