PHOTO: Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva . Photo/Supplied
Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva says he is mystified by a letter pushing him to discipline Minister for Internal Affairs Fe’ao Vakata.
The letter was written by Tonga’s Former Minister of Justice Clive Edwards, who accused Hon. Vakata of corruption and misconduct while he was a minister in the former government.
Edwards claimed the Prime Minister would not act against Hon. Vakata because he was scared it would destabilise his government.
The allegations have never been heard in court or their validity examined.
Edwards called on the Prime Minister to dismiss Hon. Vakata, claiming he was not fit to continue as cabinet minister.
Hon. Pohiva said he did not understand why Edwards raised the accusation against Hon. Vakata, when his allegations dealt with matters that occurred during the previous government.
“I question the reasons behind raising the issue now and not when it is alleged to have happened, during the term of the previous government,” the Prime Minister wrote to Edwards.
“The accused was also a Minister then.
“You should have raised this in the previous government and make this known to the people.”
Hon. Pohiva told Edwards he had seen no evidence of misconduct since Hon. Vakata joined his government.
Hon. Vakata was elected as a Democratic Party candidate for Ongo Niua 17 in 2010, but withdrew his support and became an independent before agreeing to serve as Minister for Public Enterprises in Lord Tu’ivakano’s administration.
The Prime Minister has also been dealing with two other letters of complaint from two unsuccessful candidates in the last general election, ‘Isileli Pulu and ‘Eliesa Fifita.
They claimed the government’s decision to approve the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was the result of a rushed and slipshod process.
The Prime Minister said it was a work in progress and was still open to further dialogue and consultation.
The main points
- Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva says he is mystified by a letter pushing him to discipline Minister for Internal Affairs Fe’ao Vakata.
- The letter was written by Tonga’s Former Minister of Justice Clive Edwards, who accused Hon. Vakata of corruption and misconduct while he was a minister in the former government.
- The allegations have never been heard in court or their validity examined.
- Pohiva told Edwards he had seen no evidence of misconduct since Hon. Vakata joined his government.
For more information
Hon. Fe’ao Vakata, Public Enterprises Minister (Ministry of Information)
http://www.mic.gov.to/appointments/new-ministers-/2010-hon-sosefo-feao-vakata-moteys-minister
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
