Jone Dakuvula to Reddy: 'I believe most academics at universities fear losing their jobs if they comment in the news media on contentious issues. He shouldn't be telling academics to stick to their specialist areas'

12/6/2016

"Academics should not be intimidated by Dr Reddy's narrow and outdated notion that they should restrict themselves to what they are qualified in, or to their research areas. There is no evidence from reading the Reform of the Sugar Cane Industry Bills currently before Parliament that Dr Reddy has had any influence on them with his research background on the economics of the industry." - Dakuvula

Dakuvula

I disagree with Dr Mahendra Reddy's narrow idea of "intellectual" (FT 5/6) and allegation of the lack of critical academic analysis of government policies at our universities.

I believe most academics at universities fear losing their jobs if they comment in the news media on contentious issues.

Maybe Dr Reddy should consider the political environment his Government has created since 2009 and what it could do to encourage the publication of more informed and critical comments on current issues from our universities.

Academics will not comment on domestic issues because they believe it will not lead to any positive changes in government policies.

Professor Biman Prasad's usually well-informed speeches in Parliament are never accepted by the Government.

Dr Reddy thinks academic economists should not write about political institutions and theories. I have appreciated articles by economists such as Prof Narsey and a few others in The Fiji Times that link politics, economics and social issues because they have been informative.

Intellectuals should range widely if they comment in the news media.

Academics should not be intimidated by Dr Reddy's narrow and outdated notion that they should restrict themselves to what they are qualified in, or to their research areas.

Dr Reddy, in early 2000 as an academic economist and researcher at USP, published some very informative papers on the sugar industry with Dr Padma Lal.

I learnt a lot from these papers and considered them useful information for policymakers. Unfortunately, I do not think policymakers ever read them.

There is no evidence from reading the Reform of the Sugar Cane Industry Bills currently before Parliament that Dr Reddy has had any influence on them with his research background on the economics of the industry.

Given that, he should not be telling academics to stick to their specialist areas.

All issues are inter-related nowadays and being able to comment intelligently on any subject is the mark of a genuinely free society. Source: Letters to the Editor, Fiji Times, 12 June 2016

Mahendra Reddy followed Mahendra Chaudhry's footprints; joined Bainimarama regime and is now his FijiFirst Party Cabinet Minister - forgets what he and Biman Prasad warned FLP leader before the coup:

"One of the mystifying aspects of Commander Bainimarama is his strong advocacy of the rule of law when it comes to prosecuting those who instigated the 2000 coups, but his apparent willingness to contemplate RFMF illegal action to remove the current government if it fails to meet his expectations. Leadership of the opposition FLP seems to have a similarly relativist approach. The FLP President, Mrs. Koroi, openly admitted to Fiji TV during the civil-military crisis in January that she would find it acceptable for the RFMF to remove the Qarase government and replace it with the pre-2000 Chaudhry government, to restore the previous status quo. Chaudhry publicly backed away from Mrs. Koroi's statement at the time; but privately he seemed to imply to the Ambassador and Krawitz that it might be justifiable for the RFMF to remove the Qarase government and install an interim replacement, pending fair elections." US ambassador Larry Dinger to Washington, Wikileaks

30 Comments

Annah

12/6/2016 11:52:37 am

By his own arguement, what is reddy doing as education minister when his field is agriculture. More examples of animal farm theory.

Welcome Home

12/6/2016 12:05:32 pm

How sensible of students to be asking for classes in self defence. This is now an established norm for children in enlightened countries with an eye on The Happiness Factor. Judo, boxing (yes, for girls and boys), Taekwondo, Kerate and other established martial arts are now everyday practices for holistic development. There will be expertise available if it is asked for. Physical fitness for girls and young women is a right and generally adds to academic confidence. Aspiring to excellence in defending oneself against aggression serves peace- building.

Back to the Future...Please!

12/6/2016 08:56:03 pm

When a Puppet purportedly takes our nation to year zero – it affects academia across the spectrum.

Intellectuals of all professions must demand to be brought back to the year 2016.

Tomasi

12/6/2016 09:32:07 pm

It is abundantly obvious that Mahend Reddy is not an intellectual, even though he happens to have a PhD. His is confused at best and usually shallow in his analysis and pronouncements. Being the Minister for Education of a modern developing island nation like Fiji, we expect a very high standard of thinking, policies and conduct from him. As Dakuvula said, we expect Dr Reddy, as a Cabinet Minister with a PhD in agriculture, to have had a greater input in the Sugar Reform initiatives by Government. This is very necessary because the Minister of Sugar and also the PM is not even educated enough to read the relevant research papers already produced by people such as Dr Padam Lala and Mahend.

Is it time for a Cabinet reshuffle ? Mahend should go to Agriculture. But where will our ex-Army officers fit in. What expertise do they have? Which ministries would match their skills ? That is another matter.

King Rat

13/6/2016 08:24:10 am

I agree with you that having a PhD does not make you an 'intellectual'. In the US they have people who have a PhD in making ice cream!

Dekho

12/6/2016 10:31:01 pm

Dr Mahendra Reddy's official vehicle should have a personalised number plate TOPPER so that everywhere he goes people can bow their heads and take off their toppees to honour this " intellectual " government goli.

Rajend Naidu

12/6/2016 10:55:19 pm

The people of Fiji have good reason to be very proud of the true intellectuals their small island country with less than one million people has produced to serve the country and countries around the world.
And, I agree with Jone's criticism of Dr Reddy's distorted view of what is " intellectual " in the Fiji context. Dr Reddy's prescription is basically a rationalisation of the anti- intellectualism of the ruling elite. It has no real correspondence to the ground reality. Many Fiji intellectuals have gone into exile and many remaining in Fiji have gone silent because of fear of persecution..
Anyone who can't see that is clearly not " intellectual ". Jone Dakuvula can because he is very intellectual. I remember when my bro took me to meet Jone for the first time when I went to USP as a student virtually the entire floor in his room was covered with books on history and politics. An intellectual is essentially a critical thinker. To say Fiji is lacking in intellectuals is an insult .

Samjha

12/6/2016 11:08:52 pm

Dr Mahendra Reddy is not a true intellectual. He is a political bakewa who has attached himself to the political shark Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum for his own benefit. His pronouncements are shallow and selfish. It has nothing to do with the public good.

Rajend Naidu

13/6/2016 01:39:27 am

Editor,
Dr Reddy's Pronouncement on Intellectuals in Fiji is Political Censure
Christopher Griffin writing from Perth, Wa ( he previously wrote from Ra ) couldn't have been more succinct . In his letter ' Vocal intellectuals ' ( Fiji Times 13/6 ) he points out that in wanting/ requiring? local university academics to stick " to their field of expertise he ( Dr Reddy ) plainly seeks to deter critics and punish those who dare".
As a former university academic who has now become a politician in the ruling party it is shameful that Dr Reddy should seek to do that.
When some people embrace their politician role the way Dr Reddy apparently has they tend to lose their sense of balance, their objectivity and even their values.
Dr Reddy is not the first university academic to go down that political constipated path.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

Tui

13/6/2016 01:46:08 am

N. Gounder's articles were causing a shit to this govt.

Chiku

13/6/2016 04:10:50 am

Let me put it as bluntly as I can : there is nothing intellectual in what Dr Mahendra Reddy farted about intellectuals in Fiji shying away from critical examination of the policies of his Fiji First government .
The intellect of the local intellectuals tell them it would be foolhardy to do that in the prevailing repressive political environment.

Welcome Home

13/6/2016 09:28:18 am

We must remember that we are dealing with a situation where only three years ago a prominent Fiji store found it quite acceptable to display NO FREE READING signs in all book departments throughout the country. When challenged, the director spoken to defended this policy. When asked again why Fiji's young people should not be permitted the freedom to responsibly peruse books and magazines for sale, he was adamant that the bottom line came first. There is no obvious remedy for such selfish shortsightedness. Why not place a selection for viewing at reduced/subsidized price? Encourage curiosity in the young reader as an essential tool towards self-improvement and knowledge. Overseas publishers might be happy to assist. The Happiness Factor again. Try Bhutan!

Builder

13/6/2016 09:38:45 pm

Intellectuals can not survive in a dictatorship. They all get eliminated. Education Monster Reddy, of course, hasnt educated himself of Latin American, Asian and African countries, particularly how dictators systematically eliminated intellectuals. Or even Europe until end of Cold War. In this environment, other countries provide sanctuary to intellectuals, for them to freely think, research, write, propose changes. In the Pac, Aus and NZ had this role, but they failed miserably until now.

Brig

13/6/2016 11:15:55 pm

Don't trust Reddy, and NEVER NEVER EVER trust Dakuvula!!! He just want to be a hero!

MJD

14/6/2016 02:14:24 am

Who is Brig?? Army???? He seems like one of those wanna-be intellectuals who has nothing constructive to talk about. Mr. Dakuvula is an intellectual who doesn't boast about it, but rather contributes positively to helping the non-intellectuals we have in abundance, within our beautiful sandy shores.

Brig

14/6/2016 12:11:12 am

For Reddy and Dakuvula's information: The credibility (if there's any) of Fiji's education system is under fire from students who applied to Overseas University. (Please refer to today's online Fiji Times news).

14/6/2016 02:05:23 am

Brig - Jone Dakuvula is not fighting for political office that one needs to trust him. He is stating the simple truth. In matters of truth, there is no such thing as trust or no trust. Jone Dakuvula's letter is an excellent one. I did some google search on the subject matter which led to an email exchange with Editor Victor Lal. I come to conclude that Minister Reddy had it all wrong. What he was after is not intellectuals, but researchers. He wants people to research and advise him and ministry. Intellectuals are a different category of people. Minister does not have to rely on others to research for him. He can hire as many researchers he wants to, from anywhere in the world. What is stopping him? It is Dr. Reddy who has a Dr degree, not us. Why couldnt he understand such simple things as difference between academics, researchers and intellectuals? Does this have anything to do with him failing his Masters degree at USP?

Brig

14/6/2016 01:50:43 pm

What has Dakuvula done for the nation from the day he acquired his qualification to now? I believe it's all fancy talk and pulling numbers from thin air! Fiji is still a third world country, and thanks to people like Dakuvula and Reddy.

Samjha

14/6/2016 11:54:40 pm

First can you tell us what you have done for the nation?
Who are you?

Brig

15/6/2016 04:47:23 am

Samjha,,, I hail from the same village as Dakuvula and also a blood relative. I know what I'm talking about.

Samjha

16/6/2016 08:16:15 pm

Brig... Are you a soldier boy who runs down a fellow villager because he is an intellectual which you are not?

Brig

19/6/2016 12:07:52 am

Samjha.... There's a difference between an intellectual and an imbecile.

Samjha

20/6/2016 07:28:02 am

OK so you are not an intellectual, just an imbecile

Samjha

20/6/2016 07:26:05 am

" ... I have been to various jobs where I had no idea what to do - from Fiji Immigration, the Fisheries and Forrestry to being Minister of Youth and Sports, even this one where I was told to be the commander [of Fiji Military]" - Rear Admiral Villiame Naaupoto in his address at his inauguration church service ( reported in the Fiji Times newspaper 20 June).
Dr Mahendra Reddy, any comment?

Chiku

20/6/2016 08:41:16 pm

Who told him to be commander?
Can Naupoto share that information with the people of Fiji?
Remember the Fiji military belongs to the people of Fiji and not to any gang in power at any time.

Socho

21/6/2016 12:49:37 am

I was told to be commander...Being TOLD to be this or that is that how appointments have been and are being made in the new Fiji of Frankie and Power Cranky Khaiyum?
Is that the " merit based system " of appointments that Ashneel Mortein Sudhakar boasted about?

Garam Budha

21/6/2016 09:10:46 am

The Commander's public utterance about being told to be the commander is a Freudian slip. He has unwittingly confirmed that the dictatorship is still in place in Fiji after that phoney " democratic " election - which so impressed morally bankrupt First World leaders like NZ's John Key.

Brig

21/6/2016 05:20:27 pm

Samjha... You contradicted yourself in your question and statement laid out in your comments above. Typical direct translation from Fijian thoughts to written English. "Mai ya sooooo"!!!

Samjha

21/6/2016 09:08:01 pm

Typical denial to cover up the slip . But the cats out of the bag ! The Fiji Military commander was TOLD to be commander. Who TOLD him to be commander? Brig, don't try to bullshit your way out with the lost in translation excuse. Just answer the question.

Samjha

22/6/2016 09:54:35 pm

Brig stop beating about the bush with the lost in translation excuse. Just answer the question : who TOLD Naupoto to be army commander?

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Jone Dakuvula to Reddy: 'I believe most academics at universities fear losing their jobs if they comment in the news media on contentious issues. He shouldn't be telling academics to stick to their specialist areas'

Mahendra Reddy followed Mahendra Chaudhry's footprints; joined Bainimarama regime and is now his FijiFirst Party Cabinet Minister - forgets what he and Biman Prasad warned FLP leader before the coup:

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