No more coup Let the reassuring message of the RFMF Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai (FT 7/9) convince every Fijian that there will be no more coup in Fiji. Unity is strength. Tahir Ali Hamilton, New Zealand Kalouniwai speaks out! I salute the brave and bold RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai for his in-depth interview with The Fiji Times.
I admire the commander’s thoughts as he shared the experiences of RFMF post-2022 General Election, where he respected the outcome of the citizens of Fiji. Indeed sir, when RFMF was put to the test in 2022, it came out victorious by respecting the rule and decision of the land. I also agree with Ro Kalouniwai that 2022 sparked the turning point for reconciliation efforts.
I salute his visionary leadership and commitment. I am making a plea to the commander to stand by his promise that a coup will never happen. Fiji has paid a huge price for the past military and civilian coups.
On the other hand, I’m worried that RFMF is still not 100 per cent united. This is an area the commander and his staff must address. Like me, other Fijians are looking up to Ro Kalouniwai’s leadership and decision making.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu For the sake of the nation You are too right in your editorial comment that we need “thoughtful leadership” to steer the nation in the right direction (‘For the sake of the nation!’ FT 7/9). The military commander has displayed that leadership by keeping the military out of politics after the election of 2022 and since even though there have been calls for military intervention in the governance of the country. The question many citizens are asking is whether the Rabuka Coalition Government has provided “thoughtful leadership” since coming to power? I get a sense that many feel let down by the kind of leadership Rabuka and his mob in power have displayed.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia Rev Lal’s sermon As the architect of the universe works in mysterious ways, I do hope that the shepherds will methodically reflect on their pastorship through the in-depth sermon of the Rev Lal. If the message was not digested well with the shepherds, than perhaps we all need to reflect on ourselves on where we are heading and the purpose of our calling. If the shepherds discord and are uncomfortable with the Rev Lal’s sermon, than the truth hurts.
AREKI DAWAI Maharaj Place, Suva A free Fiji Fiji has become such a vibrant democracy where people are free to make their own laws and rules as they go. This has only been possible after being freed from the shackles of the last 16 years. From bank tellers to the civil servants to the chiefs and the politicians, to those who provide customer service, not to mention the people in the judiciary – I believe everyone is now free to make their own rules as they go to suit the purpose at the time and depending on who is affected at the time.
Nowhere else in the world can compare the freedoms that exist in Fiji. Other countries should learn from Fiji and its vibrant democracy. Jan Nissar Sydney , Australia Taking a break It is common to see in The Fiji Times pictures of this or that minister “during a break in Parliament”.
Some wish some of these ministers took a break from Parliament! Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia End the madness The grossly inhumane daily cruelty saturated over the innocent Palestinians is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. Caught in the cross-hairs of the far superior fire-power of the Israelis and Hamas, the daily slaughter of the innocent Palestinian women, children, infants and men, this killing in genocidal proportions needs to end. Since October 7, 2023, almost 41,000 Palestinian deaths – and counting.
This madness must end. 10-plus months of killing needs to stop. Enough is enough.
This world is cruel. Humanity deserves far better. Ronnie Chang Martintar, Nadi Hibiscus Festival! With great interest, I read (FT 07/09).
Liebling Marlow’s reflection on the Hibiscus Festival. Mrs Marlow was crowned the first Miss Hibiscus Festival Queen in 1956. Her story was inspiring and exciting as she shared that the Hibiscus Festival was a significant cultural event, celebrating beauty, talent and cultural heritage in Fiji.
Her remarkable journey no doubt paved the way for future queens by setting high standards of excellence and grace. I’m proud that we have our first Hibiscus icon, who turns 86 next month and has had a truly inspiring life, with us as she continues to resonate, inspiring young women to chase their dreams and shatter glass ceilings. It’s a pity that things have changed as Mrs Marlow recalled during those colonial days that the festival was pretty much family oriented.
The week-long Hibiscus Festival concluded yesterday on a high note with the float procession and crowning of the Miss Hibiscus Queen. I salute The Fiji Times for the grand coverage. Another festival has gone in the annals of the festival history.
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu Senior’s bus card I thought that as per the current budget, the monthly deposit for the senior’s concessionary bus card is $25 now and no less, irrespective of the amount last used, as was the previous arrangement. At least for one senior, his card was shortchanged this month by $2.67 and apparently this is not the first time.
Is there a glitch in the system? If it’s happening to all cards each month, then imagine the hefty sum that’s not deposited monthly into the cards and used somewhere else. An explanation to clear the air, would be appreciated. Edward Blakelock Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour CWM Hospital I submitted the following to the Financial Review Committee in Nadi March 30, 2023.
Which appears to have fallen on deaf ears. My first visit to CWM was over 40 years ago followed by occasional visits to friends, the maternity unit and the morgue. Now 100 years old, the Colonial War Memorial hospital was built and completed towards the end of 1923 at a cost of 319,500 pounds, replacing the Colonial Hospital in Levuka.
When opened it had 108 beds. Today it has 500 beds. The original building is listed by the National Trust of Fiji as a Grade B heritage Building.
However, ad-hoc extensions, infill partitioning of verandahs and renovations have drastically altered the structure and concealed much of the original architecture. The cluster of surrounding buildings unfortunately does not identify with the original design. The services and infrastructure within the walls of the original CWM simply suffer from age.
Modern technology has rendered many things obsolete. Upgrades and repairs are not much more than band aid solutions to crumbling complex. Whilst recognising its role in the history of Suva and Fiji, the CWM we see today has unfortunately passed its “use by date”.
Suva has reached the situation where a new hospital should be high on the priority list in offering health services to the population. A 750-bed general hospital would be better located in the Suva/Nausori corridor where most of the people live. Apart from the obvious advantages a new hospital would offer by way of services and equipment, other considerations include reduced travel times for patients and visitors, more convenient and less costly public transport, reduced traffic congestion, better parking facilities and an inviting and professional workplace environment for all the hospital staff.
On March 30, 2023 it was reported in the media around $500 million was required to upgrade the CWM Hospital. I suggest this be directed to the establishment of a new hospital as noted above. Such is the nature of the project, aid grants from numerous sources may be attractive to donor countries, noting that grants do not necessarily need to be repaid.
The original CWM structure should be demolished and the more recent buildings on the site be retained and redeveloped to offer services including oncology, endocrinology, cardiology, urology, dentistry etc. Demolition of the old CWM structures would allow for the construction of new and modern facilities on the site and enable Waimanu Rd to be re-aligned to form a conventional intersection with Brown and Amy Streets, eliminating what is possibly the worst traffic intersection in the city. Adequate parking carefully planned pedestrian ways and landscaped grounds like those at USP would enhance the overall development and create a welcoming and peaceful environment to a precinct offering centralised specialist medical and health services.
Hopefully the master plan to be prepared by the Australian consultants will look outside the box and consider the state of the crumbling monolith with its inherent structural and infrastructure problems and consider the development of a new general hospital in a location more convenient to the general public. Adrian Sofield Nadi Drug woes I believe the drug issue is escalating despite many measures being put in place. The more this issue is highlighted and ways are being put forward, the more outburst is heard.
The drug problem has to be touched inside out and not just on the tip of that iceberg. The inside channels are to be looked into thoroughly. The problem seems to be in the middle process.
Where are we going wrong? Kirti Patel London Public money Deputy PM and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad says the Coalition Government is mindful of not wasting taxpayer funds (fijivillage 3/9). I wonder how many ordinary people of Fiji believe that given the excesses and extravagance of the Coalition Government since its reign in power? Is Biman adding insult to injury to the Fijian public? Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia.
