Rabuka’s national address
CONGRATULATIONS Prime Minister Rabuka on your very Statesman like and inspiring speech to the nation.
In a nutshell you outlined the recent past, present and future State of affairs.
Fiji is at a inflection point and Mr Rabuka’s matured leadership and his proven leadership with a powerful team only augurs well for the future peace and prosperity of its people and nation. Go forth to serve!
God bless Fiji.
VIMAL ROY CHETTY
Seattle, WA, USA
Farewelling 2022
LET’S farewell 2022 by stocktaking our memories of our previous government, climate change, COVID, global food crisis, fuel, war and other disasters.
Vinaka! 153 years old newspaper The Fiji Times, with detailed, balanced news with flash backs of the events of the previous years to move forward for progress and prosperity for our developing nation.
With the well blessed Christmas gift the Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s assurance for good governance gives us confidence to live in Fiji peacefully, united in the diverse society for all Fijians. The way the world should be — the Pacific way.
What we have learnt from 2022 in the most difficult times, we should appreciate the contributions and the roles we all played.
Let’s move on to see even a better Fiji tomorrow for the next generations with high hopes.
God bless us all. Happy New Year.
TAHIR ALI
Hamilton, New Zealand
National address
THE Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka’s national address was second to none and after a very long time, we the people of Fiji are really assured that we are on a safe and calm journey that will bring us prosperity in years to come.
A promising national address after every Cabinet meeting is a blockbuster.
The return of University of the South Pacific vice-chancellor Pal Ahluwalia and his wife Sandra Price who were exiled by the Bainimarama government was a great relief for the future of the children of the South Pacific. And all funds owed to be paid and grant to the USP to be fully reinstated.
The homecoming of Professor Brij Lal whose ashes are to be brought back to his birthplace in Tabia, Labasa by his wife Dr Padma Lal was just touching and a show of Fijian love for a great historian.
The reinstatement of Girmit Day and
Ratu Sukuna Day holidays shows equality in the new Government.
The Bainimarama government was always trying to get the races together but had completely forgotten about the roots of these people. This is a great Fijian history that should not be forgotten very easily.
And the great task as Mr Rabuka mentions during the address “A government debt may now be $10 billion, that is a huge burden for a small economy like ours”.
But Mr Rabuka’s most assuring, hope and love was when he said: “I entreat you to unite with me and my parliamentary colleagues. We can journey together free and equal, bound by our deep love for Fiji and our desire for happiness and prosperity. I pledge to the people of Fiji to unite, support and pray for the new Government and leave all difference behind.”
Wishing the Rabuka Government and the people of Fiji a very happy New Year 2023. TOMASI BOGINISO Liverpool, NSW, Australia
Different result
I BELIEVE had it not been Frank’s unpalatable attitude and his over-reliance on Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum, the result would have been overwhelmingly in his favour.
Any ways, change was badly needed and I look forward to better national management. BIMAL PRASAD
Newtown Rd, Wailoaloa, Nadi
Issue of confidence
HOME Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua says “it’s difficult to maintain confidence in Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho and that’s why I have invited him to resign” (FT 29/12).
In fact I believe there is a long list of people holding high positions who have forfeited public trust because of the way they behaved under the BainimaramaKhaiyum government.
They too should be invited to resign. Failing that they should be given the boot.
RAJEND NAIDU
Sydney, Australia
Drowning stats
WHILE enjoying my school holidays at home in Nadi, I came across the story of the latest drowning victim in Fiji, an 11-year-old girl in Ra on Tuesday, December 27 which takes to 42 the number of drownings compared with 34 victims for the same time last year according to your F/T 30/12/22.
We should be aware that drowning can be a deceptively quiet ordeal, without splashes and calls for help. It’s about time that members of the public are also trained on how to respond to drowning victims and hope the relevant new minister can look into this. At the same time swimming lessons should be compulsory at all schools as part of our basic life learning skills by the Ministry of Youth & Sports in school extra curriculum activities.
This can be a solution to the high number of drowning in Fiji!
Advice to my peers, if you don’t know how to swim, do not go near a river or sea especially at unfamiliar locations while enjoying your school holidays at the same time. Parents and guardians too, should be on the lookout under the supervision of children at all times.
RIP to all latest drowning victims and let’s play our role to avoid any further drownings. JADON E MASIVESI
Tadra, Votualevu, Nadi
PM touches many hearts
I WRITE to warmly congratulate Sitiveni Rabuka, the newlyelected Prime Minister of Fiji for his dynamic inaugural speech delivered virtually on 29/12/22.
With his closing remark: “Let love shine” he has sent vibrations of spirituality and inclusiveness throughout the country. The Prime Minister did not mince his words in letting the country know that everyone will be cared for.
He has touched on a number of issues which have been simmering below the surface. For example the contract employment of civil servants sent a demoralising shock wave.
The sense of job security went out of the window and people were very depressed.
Teachers in particular were so stressed to get their contracts renewed. So removal of contract employment is a sweet music to their ears.
Also the reinstatement of Girmit Diwas and Ratu Sukuna Day holidays has sent a strong message that the sacrifices of the two communities will not be ignored. Indo-Fijians have made a huge sacrifice in the development of this country.
To deny them this right was the unkindest cut of all!
The Prime Minister has touched on many other pertinent issues for the overall development and modernisation of our country.
It augurs well. And all those doomsday forecasters will have a rude awakening.
The Coalition Government has a well educated and a powerful team which will come to grips with the complexities of running a government soon. There can be no doubt about this.
May we all wish the new government every success.
DEWAN CHAND
Donu Place, Namadi Heights, Suva