Page 9 - Islands Business October 2024 edition

Whispers Whispers

Samoa storm don’t forget that indigenous people
SOME journalists are miffed that continue to suffer at the hands of its
Samoa put in place strict media military.
guidelines around the Commonwealth
Heads of Government meeting attended Danger signs
by King Charles. AND Indonesia has a new President.
PINA immediately jumped up and The former General, known as Front Page Pte Limited
down with self-righteous indignation. So Probowo, was a key figure in the GPO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands.
what was Samoa’s sin? Samoa decided killings which followed Timore Leste’s Tel: +679 9209375
that it would limit the number of bid for independence. This man was Sales & Advertising
cameras around the leaders by creating responsible for thousands of deaths. marketing@islandsbusiness.com
a pool of images and video footage Lest we forget, his commando units, Circulation & Distribution
which foreign journalists could access. which led the killings, were trained by subs@islandsbusiness.com
It’s not a new practice and is Australia, which continues to support
commonly used across the world, Indonesia’s presence in West Papua. Finance
particularly by royals and dignitaries. A finance@islandsbusiness.com
storm in a kava cup, perhaps? Mouth Guard Fiji stockists
IT doesn’t take very long for debate Baka Books - 23 McGregor Rd, Suva
Online MPs to be reduced to diatribe in Fiji. And
FIJI’S parliamentarians will have the former FijiFirst MP Aliki Bia found Bulaccino - Garden City, Raiwai / Namaka, Nadi
latest gadgets under a new initiative out the hard way. After some fierce Dominion Bookshop - BSP Life Building Arcade, Suva
guaranteed to keep them abreast of the debate in the chamber, Bia appeared Ginger Kitchen - Fiji Museum
latest issues. to draw the wrath of the Speaker who Butt St, Suva/Namaka, Nadi/Rajendras Foodtown Complex,
Hot Bread Kitchen - Damodar City, Suva/LICI building,
They will receive Windows 11 Business commented about the MP’s Solomon Valelevu/Namoli Avenue, Lautoka
or Pro laptops and the “latest” high- Islands ancestry. Maui Bay TOTAL Service Station - Lot 15, Maui Bay Estates
end mobile phone, according to tender Fijian humour can often be seen as Nausori Airport Kiosk - Nausori International Airport,
documents released by the Department rude, crass or inappropriate. It’s quite Nausori
of Information Technology and likely that the incident will be brushed Palm Court Bistro - QBE Arcade, Victoria Parade, Suva
Computing Services. aside as friendly banter between a Raiwaqa Bakery - Flagstaff/Nausori
But is this a wise move? Recent person from Cakaudrove (the Speaker) Samabula Drug Store - Samabula
history shows that some MPs have and Lomaiviti (Bia) who share a joking The Projects Collective - Colova Estate (The Beachouse),
caused damage to themselves and their relationship which can become quite Coral Coast, Korolevu
parties through digital misadventure. inappropriate. USP Book Centre - USP Laucala Campus, Suva
The Digital MP programme was In Fiji, however, the race issue lurks Vuda Marina General Store - Vuda Marina, Lautoka
first introduced by the Bainimarama just below the surface even 18 years Yees Xpressmart - Unit S22, Port Denarau, Nadi
government and led to a huge online after the coup to end racism. Regional
presence of MPs. ASCC Le Bookstore - Pago Pago, American Samoa
Unfortunately, children are Sheep and goats
Friendly Islands Bookshop – Nuku’alofa, Tonga
still waiting on the Bainimarama ACROSS the Pacific, churches are
Heritage Park Hotel – Honiara, Solomon Islands
government’s one child, one laptop being split along doctrinal lines in a way
Naoero Postal Service Corporation (Nauru Post) – Civic
policy. It appears that MPs are digitally never seen in the past. Centre, Aiwo District, Nauru
more important than the children. Much of the commotion is around the Palau Community College - Koror, Palau
issue of Sunday worship. This ideological Samoa Stationery and Books - Apia, Samoa
Red and white difference among worshippers has led
Tuvalu Post - Funafuti, Tuvalu
THE Indonesians are coming. Expect to family feuds and shows no sign of
Vanuatu Post - Port Vila, Vanuatu
an Indonesian navy vessel to sail into dissipating. The situation is extremely
Yap Cooperative Association – Colonia, YAP, FSM
a port near you soon. This is part of bad in Fiji with open clashes on social
Jakarta’s efforts to gain support for its media between congregants.
continued genocide in Papua. It has become quite difficult to
As usual, MPs from the islands will separate the sheep from the goats but
flock aboard the ship and welcome the debate has caused videos from
the Indonesian defence personnel. It’s both camps to go viral. What might be
these visits which ensure silence over achieved to end poverty if there was
human rights abuses and the killing of greater unity.
500,000 Papuans. Expect to see greater
Indonesian presence in the region but Whispers is compiled under the
supervision of the editorial team.

Islands Business, October 2024 9