Page 11 - November 2021 IB FINAL

Whispers Whispers

No room for “old style” politics PNG’s Minister for Justice, Bryan Kramer
Fiji’s new President has delivered a said new laws will be tabled in parlia-
maiden speech in the country’s parlia- ment to address the gap. Police say they
ment, saying the “old style” of politics are frustrated that their investigations
has no place in the new Fiji and he will and arrests don’t lead to prosecutions;
“protect the flame of the country’s in widely viewed footage posted online
young democracy from all who seek to Pang is seen gesturing to what looks like
extinguish it for personal or political drugs and meth manufacturing setups. Front Page Pte Limited
purposes.” Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, GPO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands.
who was President of the ruling FijiFirst Row of life ends in Mili Tel: +679 9719660
political party prior to his new appoint- The boat used by American Paralym- Email: advertising@islandsbusiness.com
ment, said he had been in leadership pian Angela Madsen in her attempt to Circulation & Distribution
“long enough to see the difference be- paddle from California to Hawaii in 2020 subs@islandsbusiness.com
tween the genuine democracy we share has reportedly washed up on Mili Atoll Finance
today and past systems that fell short of in Marshall Islands. A Majuro-based Mili finance@islandsbusiness.com
delivering true equality for our people.” man conveyed the news that the Row Of
Life had been discovered on the atoll in Fiji stockists
In a speech that closely resembled October. Madsen’s body was earlier re- Amy St Pharmacy, Toorak, Suva
the language of government and car- covered by the U.S. lifeguard. She was a Dominion Bookshop, BSP Life Building Arcade, Suva
ried particular weight given impending four-times gold medallist in rowing, and Essence of Fiji Rejuvenation Centre, Nadi Airport Transit
Lounge
elections in Fiji, he said “We should not Olympic competitor in rowing, shot put Foska Stationery & Gift Shop, Digicel House, Nabua
suffer the politics of pettiness and per- and javelin.
sonalisation or exist in some perpetual Grand Eastern Hotel, Labasa
state of political antagonism. Instead, Representing Sharma Gulabdas and Sons, Levuka
Hot Bread Kitchen, Damodar City, Suva; LICI building,
we must see further than short-term po- They say politics makes for strange Butt St, Suva; Main St, Nadi; Rajendra’s Foodtown Complex,
litical wins toward a long-term vision for bedfellows, but in this case it’s the law. Valelevu; Namoli Avenue, Lautoka; Savusavu.
the nation’s progress. And each of you The termination of the appointment of Kundan Singh Supermarkets, Pacific Harbour and Tamavua
must strive to move beyond a perspec- Fiji’s Solicitor-General, Sharvada Shar- Methodist Bookstore, Suva
tive that is tethered to the past, or to a ma has seen the coalescing of forces Nausori Airport Bookshop
single religion, a single gender, a single that have not always seen eye-to-eye. Palm Court Bistro, Suva
ethnicity, or a single province because I The speed and circumstances of Shar- Raiwaqa Bakery, Nasese
assure you, the future does not wait for ma’s termination—formal notification of Samabula Drug Store, Suva
a single one of you. Ratu Wiliame has his dismissal was one of the last tasks Suva Book Shop, Suva
been succeeded by the Marama Takeui undertaken by the outgoing President—
Naua, Adi Tea Sovau as the new FijiFirst has created widespread speculation and The Friendly North Inn, Labasa
President. conjecture in legal and political circles. USP Bookcentre, Laucala Campus, Suva
Opposition National Federation Party Yees Xpressmart, Unit S22, Port Denarau, Nadi
PNG’s problematic drug laws leader Biman Prasad called it “a new Regional
Prosecution over the discovery of low for rule of law,” and the Fiji Law Boroko Foodworld – Boroko, PNG
drugs, firearms, ammunition and what Society said his dismissal, “without due Friendly Islands Bookshop – Nuku’alofa, Tonga
appears to be a methamphetamine process being afforded to him is a grave Hachette Pacifique – Papeete, French Polynesia
lab in a Port Moresby hotel appear to assault on the rule of law and threatens Heritage Park Hotel – Honiara, Solomon Islands
be frustrated by weak drug laws. The the independence of critical consti- Nouvelle Messageries Caledoniennes de Presse – Noumea,
Group Operations Manager at the Sanc- tutional officers.” Now Suva law firm New Caledonia
tuary Hotel Resort and Spa, Jamie Pang Munro Leys says it will represent Sharma Pacific & Occidental Capelle & Partners – Yaren, Nauru
plead guilty to firearms charges after in court in a case that will be watched Pacific Supplies – Rarotonga, Cook Islands
the hotel was searched. However no with immense interest across the politi- Robert Reimers Enterprises – Majuro, Marshall Islands
drug charges have been laid to date, as cal spectrum. Samoa Stationery and Books - Apia, Samoa
Papua New Guinea’s outdated Danger- SSAB Auckland – Sei Oriana Gift Shop, New Zealand
ous Drugs Act 1954 does not address Whispers is compiled under the supervi- South Seas Traders – Alofi, Niue
meth sale, possession or production. sion of the editorial team.
Stop Press – Port Vila, Vanuatu
Yap Cooperative Association – Colonia, YAP, FSM

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