Letters to the editor | Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Go Aliana Vakaloloma

It is very inspiring to see this lady from Vanua Levu continue after a painful World Cup campaign last week. Seeing her back in the Fiji team this week shows how passionate she is about representing her country and football. A fantastic role model for young boys in Fiji to take up sports instead of drugs. Keep it up Vanua Levu lady. Keep inspiring many. Maika Tabukova PhD researcher/FNU, Cunningham, Suva

Reflections for all of us!

As Muslims celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, I reflected on the powerful editorial piece by Editor-in-Chief Fred Wesley titled “Reflections for us all” (FT 16/09). For Muslims, Prophet Muhammad’s birthday was an occasion that served as a reminder of the Prophet’s exemplary virtues and qualities, including sincerity, mercy, compassion, truthfulness, bravery and generosity, which are admired across cultures and religions. Prophet Muhammad is seen as a prime example of a perfect person. His personality and aura taught lessons to everyone, including being honest, kind, charitable and humble, living a simple life, having a sense of merit and a focused approach, honoring and respecting the rights of women, keeping oneself physically and mentally healthy and always learning. All these lessons can be taken as golden nuggets that can be implemented in our lives today. Everyone, be it a leader or an ordinary citizen, can benefit from these teachings to be successful in this world and the hereafter. I agree with Fred that interfaith harmony will have a great impact on peace and tolerance in our country and we should encourage this as part of our contribution to nation building. Muslims in Fiji have contributed significantly to the growth of Fiji and this should always be respected. Fred Wesley ended on a high note by urging readers to reflect on the virtues of mercy, compassion and generosity and integrate these into our daily lives. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasin

Mahogany problem

I would like to comment on the statement by the Minister of Forestry about the harvest of mahogany in the next 18-24 months, which will be 600,000 m3. Such a statement is taken out of context because the mahogany products are being sold at a very low price and we do not have the infrastructure to do that. A lot of things need to be done first, such as FSC certification and other factors that are in place before harvesting can take place. We cannot just throw away such a valuable resource overnight, because it has taken 35 years to grow. There is a much better way to utilise the resources and forestry experts are needed to lead the industry for the benefit of the nation. Maika Tabukova PhD Researcher/Forestry Science/FNU Cunningham, Suva

Flight academy

We see the PM performing the salusalu again at the Fiji Airways Academy in Namaka a few days ago. I would have been bored with my shirt off after the first salusalu. I didn’t see any cake or kalavata and it seems that these two “traditions” are suddenly becoming boring. But the salusalu may take longer to fade away because it is a symbol of glory and the PM loves to bask in glory from all my observations. There was so much glory at that event that you would think that it was this government that was responsible for the establishment of the academy and indeed the success of Fiji Airways. Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia

Surprising Bali revelation

Bali’s startling reality that can’t be ignored (News.com.au/FT 13/9). This environmental degradation through tourism-related waste dumping is the high price Bali is paying for progress. Once pristine environments on land and sea are now increasingly being polluted and destroyed. Lessons must be learned from Bali’s experience to protect our natural environment from waste. Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia

Dead punishment

Lynda Tabuya, the Minister of Women, Children and Social Protection, recently floated the idea of ​​the death penalty for large-scale drug traffickers. Critics attacked her with stones and mortar, calling her a disgrace to Fiji. Some even called for her resignation or asked for her to resign. However, I maintained that she was absolutely right on the drugs issue because we are sitting on a drugs sinkhole and no one has any idea how to get it under control. Road blocks, sniffer dogs, raids and incessant appeals to religious organisations and social leaders are all a waste of time! Siromi Turaga, the Minister of Justice, has also joined Lynda Tabuya in calling for the reintroduction of the death penalty. And anyone who is pontifical and reserved on this issue should do some soul searching and introspection. Can we afford to be used as a springboard for the international drug cartels? Can we afford to destroy our youth and turn them into zombies? No one wants this situation, do they? Drug mercenaries are merciless and will destroy human lives. That is why the death penalty is the answer to their bestial behavior. We cannot now get into the quagmire of arguments and debates on this issue. We must act! That is why I fully support Siromi Turaga and Lynda Tabuya in this matter. Dewan Chand Namadi Heights, Suva

A ask

A question I have been pondering for a while. Is religion losing influence in the lives of Fijians? Wise Muavono BalawaLautoka

Medicine canines

I totally agree that drug dogs should be used at public events etc. Tavua has a huge drug problem that would undoubtedly be a target for drug sales at the carnival that is currently going on. The problem with using the dogs at this event is that they need ear plugs to function properly. Last night there was a Christian religious event that was allowed to operate at such a decibel level that it could be heard a mile away. Allan Loosley TAVUA

Economies of scale to notice

Mohammed Janif writes that the reintroduction of grade scaling will affect students in the workplace later in life (FT12/9). I believe that scaling will help some students to stay in the school system until they are phased out later. They will focus on other jobs if they are available. The fast learners will compete for better opportunities in the job market. When it comes to promotions, employers will select the best who will adequately justify the position. The most experienced and deserving are the most important for advancement. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand

Tension shadow

As we move forward, how vital and crucial to our survival if someone who has sinned against the people and the democratically elected government chooses not to name the instigators and capitalists who were behind the illegal takeovers of the past? Will you justify and shed light on the motivation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission three-wheeler Coalition Government? When forgiveness and acceptance do not come from within a person or a group, the truth and reconciliation mechanism is just a winding shadow of the three-wheeler government and a waste of taxpayers’ money. By the way, vinaka saka Fr F Garret (Not so sorry. FT 5/9). AREKI DAWAI Maharaj Place, Suva

Termite season

Termites are causing chaos around Lautoka every night. It started a few days ago and the flying termites are now everywhere in Lautoka. Can those responsible for the $3k termite relief now go and check all the houses because I am sure all the houses in Lautoka are infested with termites and they all deserve the $3k relief? Geoffrey Chand Lautoka

Exhaust fan system

It is a legal requirement to install an extraction system when cooking. It helps remove smoke, steam and grease from the air, providing cleaner air for both staff and customers. By regulating temperature and humidity, it creates a more comfortable dining environment. It effectively reduces cooking odours, preventing them from lingering in the dining area. Good ventilation reduces the risk of respiratory problems and helps maintain a safer kitchen environment by removing excess heat and potential contaminants. A well-maintained extraction system can also help reduce energy costs by improving the efficiency of heating and cooling systems. Our laws state that if an extraction system is used to control exposure in a contaminated environment, it must be designed and constructed to approved standards. It must be located as close to the source of the contaminant as possible to eliminate or minimise the risk of inhalation of the contaminant by a person at work. The system must be used for as long as the contaminant is present and is kept free from accumulations and in a clean condition. The exhaust system should be inspected regularly by a competent person and should conform to an approved standard as stipulated in the legislation. However, there is a supermarket restaurant operating in Valelevu and due to inadequate maintenance of the fans, the unit is covered in grease and fat which severely affects the operation of the engines and can cause fires. The exhaust fan is mounted on the wall in the car park and when parked there for a long period of time, the grease splashes onto the vehicles and sometimes onto the customers. The black contamination is at a serious stage as the grease, oil and fat actually drips down the walls. It is surprising that the municipal health inspectors have never noticed this and the build up has been there for years. Satish nude Suva

Forum leaders meeting

I sincerely hope that the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) does not turn into a meeting that micromanages and deliberates on the details of issues that should have been screened, investigated and considered by the Senior Officials meeting prior to the Forum. The very high number of people (over 1000) attending this forum meeting – which is for the island leaders only – begs this question. I hope that they have not all gone to the leaders’ retreat as well. The retreat should really be an exclusive meeting where leaders can meet and discuss things in a more private and less formal atmosphere, in the good old Pacific way. We must always be reminded of what the pioneering group of leaders in the 1970s had in mind. I just hope that the Forum as a policy group does not become a technical chat-fest involving non-leaders and thus deviating from the original intentions! Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour

Retain Sunday is sacred!

According to the 10 commandments, “you shall keep my sabbath holy, a day of rest and to worship the great Lord Jehovah God” according to the Bible. But Prime Minister Rabuka and his coalition government gave the go ahead for a two day concert for George Veikoso to be held last Saturday at Prince Charles Park in Nadi, a sabbath day in the old testament which the Seventh Day Adventists observe and Sunday, a holy day for all other Christian denominations. I believe George Veikoso seems to care more about his homecoming, fame, money than he does about Gods grace and His commandments, so good luck and best wishes for your new wheelchair life tauvu. Tukai Lagonilakeba Nadi