Police were called in to remove MP Samiu Vaipulu from the Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu’s residence, after he allegedly attacked and swore at the minister.
However, when police arrived Vaipulu has already left.
It is not clear how Police handled Lavulavu’s complaint or what actions they took on it. The Police did not respond to requests for comments from Kaniva News.
The fighting between the two Vavaʻuan politicians is believed to stem from Vaipulu’s resentment at the way Lavulavu, who is responsible for Civil Aviation, has allegedly treated his application to run an airline in Tonga.
Vaipulu is the Member for the Vava’u 15 electorate. The Minister is Member for Vavaʻu 16.
Hon. Lavulavu claimed Vaipulu swore at him, kept going to his house and kicked the door.
Vaipulu, who is Tonga’s former Deputy Prime Minister, told Kakalu-‘O-Tonga newspaper that Hon. Lavulavu was lying. He said he only went to Hon. Lavulavu’s house because he had been waiting for a long time for his license application, but Hon. Lavulavu called the Police.
He claimed Hon. Lavulavu delayed approving his application because he had a grudge against him.
During a meeting to discuss his application, Vaipulu is reported to have hit a table, walked out and slammed the door of the minister’s office because he was not satisfied with what the minister told him.
Vaipulu, who was the minister responsible for Civil Aviation in the government of Lord Tu’ivakano, said his company has already fulfilled the government’s requirements.
However Hon. Lavulavu told the paper he was assessing Vaipulu’s application according to the government’s policies and laws and he put public safety first.
In 2012 the Democrat Party claimed during a vote of no confidence against the previous government that Vaipulu had been drunk and swore in a cocktail party in Vavaʻu. It also claimed he breached the Sunday taboo by dancing and singing hiva kakala (love songs) with others while it was Sunday.
Complaints to Commissioner of Public relation
In e-mails seen by Kaniva News, the Acting Director of Civil Aviation, Vinolia K. Salesi, wrote to Vaipulu and Vili Cocker, the CEO of Royal Tongan Airlines Ltd on July 24 and said the ministry had received information that raised concerns about their employment relation with the airline.
Miss Salesi said in her emails that Vaipulu and the Royal Tonga Airlines had complained to the Commissioner of Public Relations regarding the delay of approving its license.
Miss Salesi asked Vaipulu and Cocker to submit documents detailing their employment agreements with the Tongan Royal Airlines and its shareholders.
She said the Ministry had been summoned by the Commissioner of Public Relations ‘Aisea Taumoepeau to meet with him regarding the company’s complaints.
Vaipulu left Royal Tongan Airlines
Vaipulu has revealed that he is leaving Royal Tongan Airlines to set up his new airline company, Tonga Airways Ltd.
The new company was set up by Vaipulu and four others. Vaipulu is the sole director while he and the other four are shareholders.
Royal Tongan Airlines Ltd was a company owned by Chinese national Sien Lee who was the director of another business company known as Sovereign Group Investment Ltd.
The main points
- Police were called in to remove MP Samiu Vaipulu from the Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu’s residence, after he allegedly attacked and swore at the minister.
- When police arrived Hon. Vaipulu has already left.
- It is not clear how Police handled Lavulavu’s complaint or what actions they took on it. The Police did not respond to requests for comments from Kaniva News.
- The fighting between the two Vava’uan politicians is believed to stem from Vaipulu’s resentment at the way Lavulavu, who is responsible for Civil Aviation, treated his application to run an airline in Tonga.
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