Tonga’s Ministry of Lands and Survey’s staff have been informed about a report hinting at the resignation of their Minister, Lord Tu‘i‘afitu.
A leaked internal memo, seen by Kaniva News, purported to show a notice from the Ministry’s chief executive indicating that the king was allegedly no longer confident in the Minister’s handling of land issues.
The king’s concern follows a statement released by his Privy Council early this year, which showed a similar dissatisfaction from His Majesty King Tupou VI.
In that incident, the king told Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku that he had withdrawn his confidence and consent to his appointment as Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces and Fekita ‘Utoikamanu as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism.
The Ministry’s memo, dated Monday 11, claimed the Minister was considering stepping down following concerns allegedly raised by King Tupou VI.
The Ministry’s Chief Executive Taniela Kula has confirmed to Kaniva News that the leaked internal memo was from him but has said nothing is “official yet” about the resignation.
The memo claimed the Minister was intending to tender his resignation to the Prime Minister.
It said the staff were told that the Acting Prime Minister had relayed the king’s concerns to Lord Tu’i’afitu.
It also alleged the Minister will no longer sign ministerial and working-related documents.
He will stop using the ministerial vehicle and will not be attending his office, the memo read.
The King can only revoke a Minister’s appointment if he has been advised by the Prime Minister according to Clause 51 of the Constitution.
Kaniva comments:
When the king declared his lack of confidence in Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku and Utoikamanu in February, the Acting Prime Minister immediately responded, citing the advice of the attorney-general, saying both Hu’akavameiliku and Utoikamanu would continue to serve in the portfolios.
However, the Prime Minister and ‘Utoikamanu finally resigned from their portfolios, apparently after intervention from the king’s nobility MPs in the House. Utoikamanu was reappointed as Minister of MEIDECC.
Since then, it appeared that His Majesty’s Armed Forces ministerial post has been left vacant. As we reported recently, the Crown Prince represented the Ministry in foreign meetings, which raised curiosity among members of the public, with many asking whether he has been appointed the Minister of Defence.
Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku appointed Lord Tu’i’āfitu as Cabinet Minister according to the constitution. It is unclear how he would be affected by the King’s decision since he is one of the king’s nobility members. There appears to be no clause in the Constitution allowing His Majesty to withdraw his appointment of any minister after their appointment.
If the king’s declaration was proven to be true, it would re-awake concerns raised as far back as 2017 about the role of the king’s counsellors.
The then Justice Minister Vuna Fā’otusia said decisions made by Parliament were sometimes vetoed by His Majesty because of advice from the Privy Council.
He said the members of the council were not chosen by the people.
It is about a decade since lawyer Peter Pursglove said that Tonga’s 2010 Constitution was the poorest among all Commonwealth countries. He made suggestions to improve it, but progress had been stalled.
Pursglove expressed concern about the role and the establishment of the Privy Council.
