Political tensions that erupted in Tonga’s Parliament earlier this week escalated further Thursday night after unverified viral footage surfaced, appearing to show a physical confrontation between Whole House Committee Chair Lord Tu’ilakepa and Police Minister Piveni Piukala.
The explosive footage has triggered a social media firestorm, with rival political factions engaged in heated online battles defending their respective leaders. Piukala’s supporters have alleged the video is fabricated, claiming it was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
No official statement has been released by Parliament concerning the leaked video footage.
It showed what appeared to be Piukala and Tu’ilakepa in a heated argument, pointing fingers at each other, before Piukala walked toward the Chairman – who stood several metres away at his seat.
Seconds later, the footage appears to show Lord Tu’ilakepa throwing a punch before Piukala is seen falling backwards to the floor and bracing himself with his hands.
Speaker Lord Fakafanua suspended the two members for five days. They are excluded from parliamentary proceedings and will not receive their salaries during this period.
Security Fears Rock Parliament
The widely shared footage follows Noble MP Lord Vaea’s condemnation of parliamentary security on Monday, when—moments after the apparent brawl—he delivered a scathing address declaring the legislature “unsafe” and lambasting authorities’ delayed intervention.
“Mr Speaker, I was so concerned this morning after what had happened in your House”, Lord Vaea said in Tongan.
He said a scuffle broke out in the House, and while efforts were underway to defuse it, no security measures were in place to prevent it from happening.
The king’s noble representative stated that, to his understanding, when an incident like this occurs, the Speaker must descend from his seat and suspend the session immediately until order is restored.
The footage shows an apparent security officer emerging to walk with Piukala during his approach, but only intervening after the punch was thrown and before Piukala fell. Several individuals, including parliamentary staff members, intervened to quell the commotion.
Lord Vaea further reminded the Speaker that the Crown Prince and female MPs were in the House when the quarrel occurred, which deeply concerned him, as there’s no guarantee weapons couldn’t be brought into the House in such situations.
He told the Speaker that the dignity and security of the House had been compromised.
He reiterated that this matter has raised serious concerns, and he hopes that such events will not be repeated in the House.
Lord Vaea suggested that the Speaker should have left the chair instantly to formally close the House after in such an incident.
He observed that the Speaker stayed seated even after the scuffle ended, only descending later when the disruption was over – by which point the fight had already moved outside.
“Based on what I have explained,” Lord Vaea told the Speaker, “I am now formally filing a complaint with you.”
In response to Lord Vaea, the Speaker acknowledged receipt of the complaint and confirmed its submission to Parliament’s Privileges Committee for official investigation.
