The race card again

Timoci Gaunavinaka, Nausori

The latest round of debates in Parliament continues to show the ugly side of ethnic politics.

While FijiFirst MPs try to bring constructive, practical and sensible solutions to our various problems, SODELPA MPs are trying to turn everything into a racial issue. They think that without the race card, their party will not survive. But it is this race card they regularly want to play that is going to bury them in the coming election.

On Friday they tried to thrive by instilling fear amongst iTaukei people that their land would be taken away from them. This song was first sung by the late Sakeasi Butadroka in the 70s, by Sitiveni Rabuka in the 80s and 90s, by Laisenia Qarase in the 2000s and now by SODELPA.

Forty years is a long time to keep singing a song over and over again. Especially when it is a song that carries the message of ethnic disunity, suspicion and hatred.

But in these forty years, no Indo-Fijian or Fijian of Chinese decent has taken away any inch of land from the iTaukei as the lyrics of the song states. The only iTaukei land taken away forever was converted from native to eventual freehold by the current Tui Cakau when he was Minister for Lands.

The only other time iTaukei land was threatened was in September 2006 when Sitiveni Rabuka was interviewed by a media organisation and he stated that the chiefly system (veivakaturagataki) should be abolished and all native land should be converted to crown. When he was asked to explain, his exact words were. “The indigenous Fijians will argue that this will leave them with nothing but in the end, it’s for the good of all. We’ll all benefit in the end.”

He was strongly attacked for his comments by the then Great Council of Chiefs chairperson, the late Ratu Ovini Bokini, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and Methodist Church General Secretary then, Reverend Ame Tugaue.

Search this event on any internet café and it is there plain and clear for the whole world to read. It is not tucked away in some confidential files or hidden in some secret location. Rabuka has never denied making these comments.

So I would suggest to Niko Nawaikula, Viliame Gavoka and Semesa Karavaki that before they try to attack FijiFirst members of Parliament on security of iTaukei land, they first must ask their own party leader on which ground or side of the fence does his feet really stand.

Upset town

Arien Vikash Kumar, Nadi

A few staff members at Nadi Town Council need urgent medical attention and referral to eye specialists.

Can someone book them with overseas eye specialists in their next visit to Fiji please?

The potholes in the Nadi Town main streets and Naevo Road are invisible to the council.

In emergencies to Nadi maternity, my advise to all is not to take the Naevo Road route because delivery or miscarriage could happen before reaching the maternity due to the bumpy and disgusting road conditions.

To add on, it LTA’s favourite road to park and book drivers.

Is this really a Jet Set town or an Upset Town? I think that the second is the right name.

Fijian football

Mohammed Imraz Janif, Lautoka

The Fiji Football Association should gradually increase the number of teams participating in the national league.

There will be renewed interest from areas of Fiji which are currently being neglected.

The competition will get even as the years pass. Local club competition should also receive priority. For some districts, it is organised just for the sake of having a competition.

This will have positive effect on the spectators and player base.

It will also become easier to engage the business community.

The national body should also encourage and facilitate district teams playing club teams from neighbouring island nations.

An ideal national coach had finally been found. With his expertise and a proper structure, a world cup appearance will not be far away.

My suggestion to FFA is to seek assistance from the Fiji Rugby Union. If Fiji Rugby is on top of the world, why not Fiji soccer.

If you will always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.

Inter-faith

Rajesh Lal, Lautoka

How can we have interfaith when the Holy Bible says “…one faith one Lord  one nation one people one God…”

Truth will always remain the truth. Can the word of God  be challenged?