Businesswoman Mere Samisoni yesterday spoke out against negative rumours or fake news.

She said we could not afford to fan the flame for such stupidity and lack of wisdom.

“The onus is on us to protect our Fiji. All the political upheavals of the past have to be stopped,” she said.

“Anything that threatens to harm our economy and social status must be admonished, for these will mean loss of jobs for innocent people, further increases in cost of living and will take our country back by many years, for example.”

She was speaking as chief guest at the Pacific Harbour Wesley Church, Deuba.

“Our role is to trust in God’s abundant wisdom, that Fiji may be freed from all forms of bondage that ranges from laziness to oppressiveness, to wasting of God-given time and talents as we experienced this past week, when many succumbed to negative rumours spread over social media,” Mrs Samisoni said.

“It drove fear into the hearts of our people, disrupting a normal business day and affecting our economy badly.

“No matter the challenges we face, we are all sinners and whenever we find ourselves in negative energy, we have the power based on our faith in His Word, to learn from our mistakes and change the dynamics to positive energy and innovation.”

She said it was their prayers and faithfulness to remember their country and their roles that had kept Fiji safe and secure.

“Yes we do have our political differences, but we are not raging with famine or war or any other devastating global event as such. And for that, we must be grateful,” she said.

“I encourage us all to accept that we are going through extraordinary times, however.”

She said Fiji was at a crossroad where their faiths were being tested, their love and reverence for humanity and for God required them to search deep within their souls to find the answers to the trials that beseeched their beloved nation.

“I have to ask us some questions. What has happened that the crime rates and the type of crimes that are happening every single day now in Fiji continue to increase and shock us all?

“Are we to blame our political leaders? Do we blame social media? Do we blame the increase in cost of living?

“Dear ladies, for the bulk of my life, I was raised by my mother without the support of my father, who had separated from my mother when I was young.

“My dear mother never once showed any signs of giving up on us, her children, despite the struggles she endured. She did not envelope herself in self-pity. Instead, she worked hard, and became independent.”

Edited by Percy Kean

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