DPP action
MANY people, I am sure would not brag but be disappointed about the decision taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Christopher Pryde, that no charges be laid against the Prime Minister in relation to allegation that he assaulted another MP, Pio Tikoduadua. On my part to remain silent on the matter would amount to an abdication of citizen’s freedom and responsibility not to raise question when necessary against any government in power. DPP says there is sufficient evidence for laying charges, but he decided against charges based on 14(1)(b) of the 2013 Fiji Constitution which provides that “a person may not be tried for an offence in respect of an act or ommission for which the person has previously been either acquitted or convicted”. Section 73 of the 2013 Constitution provides that Parliament has the power to discipline its members and DPP states that as the matter has been dealt with by Privileges Committee and those findings accepted by Parliament it would not be in the public interest for a second hearing to take place before the judiciary in the criminal courts which would in effect subject the PM to double jeopardy contrary to section 14 (1)(b) of the Constitution. Professor Cheryl Saunders, constitutional lawyer and head of Melbourne University Law School, in her public lecture at USP in 2015 described the 2013 Constitution as “warts and all” which means that the constitution includes faults and features that are not attractive. We see here that citizens are treated differently based on status which is allowed by this Constitution. REVEREND AKUILA YABAKI Toninaiwau Subdivision, Coloisuva.
The rise of World 9s
IT’S just a matter of time when this abbreviated code in the sport will rival our counterpart union 7s if the multitude of passionate fans present in the two-day bone-crunching event is anything to go by. As expected, the Aussies came out victors when the dust settled at Sydney’s Bankwest, home to our Sivo’s Parramatta’s Eels with trans-Tasman adversaries NZ. We all know by now though of our Bati’s jaunt in the tourney losing all our three-pool games against neighbours Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands and with four local lads and twelve overseas based Batis, I came out feeling positive to say the least that we had our four warriors (my Ravoravo represents!) being exposed to the real deal, the main arena of the sport rubbing shoulders against some of the current superstars. Our esteemed Fiji Rugby League hierarchy could use this stage to showcase our local boys’ talents with scouts from the various clubs searching for that x-factor for their NRL feeder teams. A 50/50 make-up of our team would be great, with eight local and eight overseas based warriors. Another positive outcome was the International Rugby League’s announcement of players in the men’s and women’s comp being paid $A2000 ($F3018) each for the two-day fest. No biggie at all for the overseas-based contracted stars but something to our hardworking locals and perhaps the first sport to have an allowance ($) parity among the two sexes. Great going NRL! BEN KUSH Canberra, Australia
Drua fall short
IT was a hard gut-wrenching final few seconds to watch on Sunday afternoon. Fijian Drua had an awesome half time 22-0 lead to hosts Canberra Vikings. Then three quick Vikings tries narrowed the margin to one solitary point 22 – 21. With 60 seconds to go Drua led 27 – 21. Drua were comfortably camped on Vikings 22m. We failed to run the clock out. Why? What happened? Sadly, ever so sadly, with unbearable frustration it was a sorry sight to see our team lose 27 -28 in ref time. How does one instil strict code of discipline and extreme mental toughness at such critical stages ? Can the human brain really go into deep sleep mode with mere seconds to spare and win place in NRC cup final, as defending champs, against Western Force in Perth next week? These losses hurt. Much national pride is destroyed in these vital seconds. Qu druka du. RONNIE CHANG Martintar, Nadi
Ban vuvuzela
MAYBE 3000 people attended primary zone athletics on Friday at Churchill Park, but there was one guy who made the event extremely unpleasant for many, not just the very young, or the older ones. This guy was selling vuvuzelas, and the only people who seemed to be getting any pleasure out of them were the 20 or 30 children who forked out four bucks to get one. For most of the rest of us, we sat there with our fingers in our ears. Banned from Manchester United games 10 years ago as well as the 2012 Olympics, I make a humble plea to the ministries of education, and environment, as well as the Lautoka City Council and all the other councils, to have them banned here as well. They made it such an unpleasant experience, I don’t think I will be back. That, and the complete lack of punctuality of the events. Also, maybe the restrictions on the sale of junk food that are supposed to be applied to school canteens could be applied to the canteens at all sports grounds.Kids were buying two-minute nodles and eating them dry. MARCUS HILL Lautoka
All Blacks power
THE plot employed by the All Blacks showed the downfall of the Wallabies in their quarter-final encounter. The All Blacks were attacking from deep in multiples which ensured quick ball from rucks. The Wallaby attack was too flat and under pressure. The Wallabies gave England a semi-final spot. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Interesting times
37 missing children (FT 15/10); Kick and punch claim (FT 19/10); DPP closes file (FT 18/10); Unexplained death (20/10); Students in attack claim (FT 1/10); Lesser of two evils (FT 12/9); Zombie drug; 15s coach wants to stay on;. Japan make history. We live in interesting times. ALLEN LOCKINGTON Kava Place, Lautoka
Case closed
MOHAMMED Imraz Janiff’s extrapolation (FT 20/10) exposes the contradiction and inconsistency inherent in the DPP’s rationalisation for closing the case of the PM’s alleged assault on another MP. Well, it shows one might consider himself a legal eagle but that does not make him infallible. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Police recruits
IT’S welcoming that there will be 250 new police recruits. What is needed to bring about greater efficiency is to introduce the eight-hour shift in the force DAN URAI Lautoka
Financial literacy
AS the nation gets more financially literate, it becomes increasingly difficult to lie to them. It might be an idea to dumb the nation down and cut back on education funding. RICK EYRE Lautoka
Wrong paper
ISA lei, I just realised that I was part of the “Wrong Paper’s” 150th birthday celebration at GPH and I penned a two-page article in Saturday’s paper about the celebration. The “Right Paper” celebrated 20 years of existence, but I wonder why readers continue talking about the 150th birthday celebration. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
