The Speaker of Parliament Lord Fakafanua has suspended an employee over serious allegations amid Police illicit drugs investigation.
It says the employee was suspended on Wednesday.
Specific details of the allegations were not given.
It said the Speaker and the Office of the Legislative Assembly are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
“It will not tolerate or condone any activities involving illicit drugs. The actions of this employee are not representative of the values of the Legislative Assembly and this Office”, a statement said.
“The Office of the Legislative Assembly will continue to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability in all aspects of its operations.
“It is committed to maintaining the trust and confidence of the public and will take all all-necessary steps to ensure that its employees conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the values and principles of the Legislative Assembly as well to comply with the Laws of Tonga”.
The news came after His Majesty King Tupou VI expressed his grave concern at what appeared to be the government’s lack of social systems to combat the country’s drugs problem.
Yesterday the king mentioned in his speech delivered by Crown Prince Tupouto’a at the state opening of the 2024 session of the Legislative Assembly that Police had previously seized over TOP$14 million worth of illicit drugs.
The king was concerned at the enormity of the drugs.
He was referring to reports in which a senior bank official at the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) and his sister were charged after being caught with 15 kilograms methamphetamine in February.
In that case, the Police seized 5.657kg of meth at their family residence at Kolofo’ou and a further 9.927kg at the official’s office at the NRBT.
The king said: “Despite the great work by Tonga Police and relevant stakeholders on fighting against illicit drugs, it is an immense concern that illicit drugs are being easily spread and reaching families and communities.”
He urged MPs to share his message with their constituents and see if they could come up with plans on how they are going to combat this huge challenge to the country.
