The Democrats (PTOA) are in the process of taking legal action against the former government of Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa after they accused it of misusing taxpayer’s money.
MP Mateni Tapueluelu told Kaniva News the PTOA Party was in the process of investigating and collecting information before approaching its lawyer.
The former Prime Minister was accused of lying to the public after he appeared to intentionally misread Clause 51 of the Constitution, which many believe could have been used to dismiss former Cabinet Minister Akosita Lavulavu who had been accused of fraud.
The Democrats alleged that the former Prime Minister appeared to have breached the Cabinet Manual’s conflict of interest clause by allowing Cabinet Ministers’ spouses to be paid from taxpayers’ money for travelling to the outer islands to conduct its controversial national fasting programming.
The Democrats have previously said they wondered why King Tupou VI did not use his power to set up a royal commission to investigate the Tu’i’onetoa government.
READ MORE:
- Gov’t saves millions on Popua Park golf course building project, independent report says – Kaniva Tonga News
- PM denies knowledge of Popua Park royal investigation report following claim it goes ‘missing’
- Gov’t forced to honour guarantee on failed $18 million project loan after road contractors fail to pay up
- OPINION: PM has greater discretion under Clause 51 to sack convicted Akosita Lavulavu than Clause 23 of Constitution
His Majesty berated the Tu’iu’onetoa government amid allegations of corruption and malpractice arising over the tendering process for the former government’s controversial roading project.
The project was stopped at the end of 2021 after Tu’i’onetoa was ousted from power after losing the premiership election.
The Tu’i’onetoa government was accused of designing the tendering process so the contracts would be given to its friends, including Cabinet Ministers’ family members.
The Democrats said they were also concerned since the king had ordered a commission to investigate the late ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s government about the Popua Park re-development project, but the results had never been released.
Last September former Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa denied claims the Royal Commission report on Popua Park probe had been submitted to him, but disappeared from his desk.
An independent investigation found that the government had actually saved money on the project to redevelop a former landfill area. The report by the Pacific Engineering Consultant Group (PECG) showed the government had spent only TP$648,000 on the project.
While the findings of the royal commission have not been made public, it has been unofficially reported that the Commission did not find any misuse of public funds.
