Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has denied rumours that he has dismissed Minister of Finance Hon. Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa.
The Prime Minister told Kaniva News last night he was surprised when his personal secretary told him he had been contacted by people asking to confirm whether or not it was true Hon. Tu’i’onetoa has been removed from cabinet.
The Minister of Police Māteni Tapueluelu, who was in Auckland on his way to a meeting in Hong Kong, told us he was surprised when he received text messages from staff at Parliament asking him if he had heard about the alleged dismissal.
“There are a few people who have nothing good to do,” Hon Pōhiva said.
It was not immediately clear where the ‘fake news’ came from.
However, it was widely shared on Facebook by some propagandist Tongan Facebook groups which campaign against the government of Hon. Pōhiva.
The Prime Minister was in Auckland on leave and for a regular medical check up.
Asked about his health, Hon. Pōhiva, who looked happy and active, said his doctor in Auckland had declared him in “excellent health” after a short illness which caused him to be admitted to Vaiola hospital last month.
He said he is expected to return to Tonga next week.
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