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Muslim leader says royal guard who stopped him was ignorant and favours certain churches

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Muslim man who was kicked out from Pangai Lahi after he went to offer a prayer for the Queen Mother on Tuesday last week has broken his silence in an interview with Kaniva News.

Peili Lutui Tea, who goes by the Islamic name Mohamed Allah Fatah, said the royal guard who kicked him out was ignorant and favoured only certain churches.

He said the law of the nation should respect a human being’s conscience and if some one wanted to show their love to the Queen Mother they should be allowed to do so.

He said the Queen Mother was loved and he wanted to offer a prayer for her because he was an international religious leader.

Fatah said he was ordained at the Khalifa Four and Five in Egypt.

Fatah claimed he belonged to the king’s royal sea guards known as Fokololo ‘o e Hau through his father Lutui Palelei.

He said he had a duty to accomplish for the Queen Mother and give his blessing for her but it was marred by the royal guard’s ignorance.

He said when he entered Pangai Lahi he wanted to stop and change out of his Islamic clothes, but the royal guard kicked him out.

“Why did they not stop me when I stepped out of the taxi?” Fatah asked.

He claimed Muslims had never broken any laws in Tonga and what the royal guard did had tarnished their good reputation.

It is believed there are about 50 Muslims in the kingdom.

Fatah said there were 73 different Muslim sects in the world.

He said there were two groups of Islam in Tonga and they knew about each other.

Fatah said he belonged to the Ahmadiyya sect while the other group belonged to Sunni Islam led by Imam Ilyas Manu.

As we reported earlier, thousands of Christian mourners gathered in a large marquee outside the palace to pray for the matriarch’s soul.

Ten Christian churches, two other groups and the royal family offered a series of prayer vigil during the Queen Mother’s takipō which began on Tuesday at 6pm and lasted until 6 o’clock  on Wednesday morning.

The prayer vigil was conducted by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Catholic Church, Tonga Tauʻatāina Church, Anglican Church, Church of Tonga, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,  Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Tōkaikolo Fellowship, Assemblies of God and the Constitution Church.

The two groups were from the Siaʻatoutai Theological College and Ālonga Centre which was founded by the Queen Mother.

Kaniva News has asked the Palace Office for comment.

The main points

  • The Muslim man who was kicked off from Pangai Lahi after he went to offer a prayer for the Queen Mother on Tuesday last week has broken his silence in an interview with Kaniva News.
  • Peili Lutui Tea, who goes by the Islamic name Mohamed Allah Fatah, said the royal guard who kicked him out was ignorant and favoured only certain churches.
  • He claimed Muslims had never broken any laws in Tonga and what the royal guard did had tarnished their good reputation.
  • It is believed there are about 50 Muslims in the kingdom.

For more information

Muslim leader in Tonga concerns over delays in registration application

Two Tongans appear in court over passport fraud investigation

By
Kalino Latu
-

Two Tongans appeared in court this morning in connection to passport fraud investigation conducted by a Police taskforce.

A 44 year-old man from Kolofoʻou was charged with forgery and false declaration.

A 54 year-old man from Tofoa has been charged with forgery and knowingly dealing with forged documents.

They appeared at the Fasi Magistrate Court and were remanded on bail to reappear in court on Monday 20.

The arrests brought the total of those arrested to 23  since the investigation began on August 25, 2015 in which 12 had been convicted.

The head of the Passport Taskforce, Deputy Police Commissioner Viliami ʻUnga Faʻaoa said, “The investigation of passport fraud is taken very seriously. We are taking a zero tolerance approach to reports of passport fraud and putting accused persons before the courts.”

“The Passport Taskforce is working closely with the Ministry of Justice, Tonga Immigration, National Identity Cards Office and the Ministry of Health in combating crimes of identity fraud”.

Tongan scientist’s transforming experience sets example for struggling students

By
Philip Cass
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Dr Palatasa (Tasa) Havea ‘s father repeatedly told him that if he did not get an education he would spend the rest of his life curing copra for a living.

Originally from Vava’u, Dr Palatasa (Tasa) Havea came from a large, poor family.

Dr Havea eventually became the first Tongan to win a doctorate in food technology and is now  a senior research scientist with Fonterra.

Now he is using his experience as a poor student to encourage young people to succeed at school.

He said his own difficulties had inspired his work with young people.

“We [Pacific Islanders] don’t always do very well in our education and the Ministry of Education has used me a lot as an example of someone who was really bad at school to help the kids, to see the potential to do well,” he told Stuff.

“We set up programmes to help kids with the literacy and numeracy.

“I think I know how they do well and how they do badly and how to turn them around to become good kids. I try to use my own experience.”

Dr Havea is chair of the Pacific Health Research Committee of the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

He recently stepped down as a member of the advisory board to the Ministry of Pacific Peoples, where he served for 13 years.

Dr Havea’s early years were an educational disaster. He failed grade 10 three times, but after  moving to Tongatapu he persuaded another school to let him into the final year after claiming  he  had completed the school certificate.

With a different set of teachers and a different atmosphere, his grades improved, he won prizes and learned to read and write properly.

After school he joined the Tonga Commodities Board and after studying for two degrees at Massey, joined New Zealand milk producer Fonterra.

A specialist in biotechnology, molecular biology and structural biology, he is a senior research scientist at the Fonterra Research and Development Centre (FRDC).

He took a leading role in research that led to enhanced products that contribute millions to the New Zealand economy.

He is involved in a range of community issues and late last year talked about suicide among teenagers in island communities in New Zealand.

In 2005, he told the Pacific Prosperity Conference that Pacific youth needed role models and mentors, self-discipline and the courage to achieve their dreams.

He is active in his church and sits on the board of International Student Ministries New Zealand.

He and his wife Sesimani have three children.

His daughter, Lueni, became her school’s first Tongan head girl and last year was part of a student team that won the technology prize at the Manawatu Science and Technology Fair.

She also mentors year one to six students in literacy.

The main points

  • A Tongan born scientist is using his experience as a poor student to encourage young people to succeed at school.
  • Palatasa (Tasa) Havea, who was the first Tongan to win a doctorate in food technology, said his own difficulties had inspired his work with young people.
  • Originally from Vava’u, he came from a large, poor family.
  • His father repeatedly told him that if he did not get an education he would spend the rest of his life curing copra for a living.

For more information

The scientist who spent three years in Year 10

International Student Ministries New Zealand

Education key to Islanders’ pay

A head for business

VIDEO: Motorists requested to avoid parts of West Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
-

Waitemata Police is asking motorists to please avoid travelling in the wider New Lynn, Henderson and Kelston areas due to severe flooding.

A number of roads in the area have just been closed.

Some parked cars have been inundated with flood waters on Great North Road and another vehicle which was driven into the waters near Edmonton Road had to be pulled out after it became stuck.

Emergency services are in the affected areas and we ask that people please follow their advice carefully.

  • 321 properties have been flooded (225 in West Auckland), with some in waist-deep water
  • Suburbs affected by flooding include: Kaukapakapa, Devonport, Parnell, Remuera, Eden Terrace, Blockhouse Bay, Morningside, Massey, Westgate, Whenuapai, New Lynn, Avondale, Titirangi, Henderson, Te Atatu, West Harbour and Glen Eden
  • People are being advised to avoid New Lynn due to the risk of unstable buildings
  • Weather-related crash in Manurewa
  • Multiple trees down
  • Northwestern Motorway earlier affected by crash and surface flooding on multiple roads
  • 2800 households without power in Glen Eden – now restored
  • Residents asked to secure outdoor furniture, avoid travel and bring pets inside
  • Only major road closure is SH27 between SH26 and No 4 Rd at Tatuanui

Posted by New Lynn on Saturday, March 11, 2017

Tonga gears up for big celebrations as PM needs Vavaʻu cleanup efforts heightened

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tongan government undertook to provide rubbish bins to public places, remove unsafe derelict properties and employ staff to look after public toilets at the capital as part of its move to prepare Vavaʻu for big events in June.

Thousands of Tongan visitors and tourists from overseas were expected to attend the Free Wesleyan Church conference, the 70th anniversary of Siuʻilikutapu Mailefihi college and His Majesty King Tupou VI’s 57 birthday in June as well as the Royal Agricultural Show in July.

The 94th Conference and the school anniversary will be held in Vavaʻu while the Agricultural Show will begin there before it will continue on to other islands.

Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva was in  Vavaʻu with a government delegation on Tuesday to talk with authorities about the preparations.

Tonga Tourism Minister Hon. Sēmisi Sika said the events would bring huge advantages to the kingdom.

He said the Prime Minister wanted a government-led cleanup and beautification campaign to begin in Neiafu immediately after they met with the Vavaʻu governor on Wednesday.

He said there were derelict properties and abandoned buildings in Neiafu which make the capital look untidy, unsafe for the public and could keep visitors off coming back.

There were no rubbish bins at public places and at the ‘Utukalongalu market, litter and garbage were seen almost everywhere, the Minister said.

He said the government pledged to provide garbage bins to the market and encourage the public to use them for their litter.

There was plan to upgrade public toilet facilities at the wharf in Neiafu and the government undertook to employ staff to manage and look after them.

He said the toilet facilities were closed when they arrived but they should open to the public.

Hon. Sika said the government considered building a fence around the Vaikolēlea historical site and erect a placard with its history there for the visitors.

He said the delegation also met with leaders from private sectors, head of governments, town and district officers and they had welcomed the government’s proposals.

The delegation also visited public roads in Hahake and Hihifo as well as heavy machinery at the Ministry of Infrastructure which the Minister said they no longer working.

A vacant building behind the Police station was ordered by the Prime Minister to be demolished while they were there.

Hon. Sika said Vavaʻu Police and the Prisons Department workers pulled down the building as part of the cleanup campaign.

Tonga Communications Corporation boss withdraws appeal

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga Communications Corporation chief executive Rizvi Jurangpathy who appealed a Supreme Court decision to dismiss an application he had submitted has withdrawn the appeal on Thursday.

In December the Supreme Court has dismissed an application by Jurangpathy  to have an investigation of his behaviour by the Commissioner for Public Relations halted until a defamation case against Kele’a newspaper has been completed.

In June 2015 the then Member of Parliament Māteni Tapueluelu made a number of allegations against  Jurangpathy, which were reported in Kele’a newspaper.

The newspaper alleged that Mr. Jurangpathy had committed indecent acts upon, and was having affairs with, staff members, was misusing TCC funds and dismissing employees for improper reasons.

Mr. Jurangpathy denied the allegations.

However his legal counsel Clive Edwards Snr told the appeal judges in Nukuʻalofa they had decided to withdraw the appeal.

It has been revealed in court the investigation by the Public Relations Commissioner has been completed and a report is to be submitted to the Prime Minister.

This was the first case heard after Tonga’s Court of Appeal 2017 session began hearing six appeals from March 9-10 with judgments to be delivered on Thursday, March 16.

The appeal judges from New Zealand were Michael Moore, Peter Blanchard and Rodney Henson.

Mavae and Sefita Vea wedding reception

By
Kalino Latu
-

Pope may allow married Catholic men as priests

By
Kalino Latu
-

Pope Francis has said the Catholic church may consider ordaining married men who could potentially then work in remote areas faced with a shortage of priests.

“We must think about whether viri probati are a possibility,” Francis said, referring to older married men who are already involved in church business.

“Then we have to decide what tasks they can take on, for example in remote communities,” he added in an interview with German weekly Die Zeit.

Many in the church believe, given the lack of priests in many places, that a new path to ordination should be opened.

They think that in addition to priests who take a vow of celibacy, older married men with a long commitment to the church could also be considered.

Pope Francis said in May 2014 that “there are married priests in the church” citing Anglican ministers who converted, Coptic Catholics and the priests of some eastern churches.

The church, and notably the current pope’s predecessor Benedict XVI, had previously said that celibacy was not a matter of inflexible church dogma unlike, for example, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

However, Francis said allowing priests in training to choose whether or not to be celibate was “not the solution”.

-The Guardian

Tonga seeks multi-million dollar funding to help fight against climate change threats

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan government revisited a proposal to bring millions of dollars to the nation to help its battle to reduce threatening impacts of climate change in the kingdom.

This had been discussed in a workshop in Nuku’aofa this week which was conducted by Mr. Yusuke Taishi and Mr. Kevin Petrini from UNDP.

Known as the National Appraisal Workshop on Tonga Coastal Adaptation Project Proposal, organisers said they were applying to get the money from the UNFCCC’s Green Climate Fund.

The proposal will be submitted in April.

The Minister of Climate Change Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni told the workshop Tonga wanted US$50 million “to help the vulnerable communities to better manage their natural environment through  coastal protection measures, sedimentation management, environment based adaptation coastal management and capacity building”.

Hon Sovaleni said previous studies had identified highly vulnerable communities in Tonga where coastal erosion, flooding, inundation and coastal water problems needed urgent actions.

The Deputy Prime Minister said: “Tonga is at the frontline to experience further devastating impacts of climate change but the country seeks to reduce the risks and to build capacity and resilience.

“The project proposal if successful will yield resources towards addressing the aforementioned vulnerabilities at the same time help build the community’s resilience to climate change impacts and climate related events.

“It is our duty to look for solutions and find a way we can use to minimize the effects of climate change in the communities that vulnerable.”

The workshop was also attended by district and town officers, NGOs, Civil Society Forum and representatives from the communities.

The half-a-day workshop was facilitated and co-hosted by the UNDP and the Department of Climate Change under MEIDECC.

Investigation after allegations of brutality against school children made on radio talk back show

By
Kalino Latu
-

A student has been taken to hospital and a Police and Ministry of Education investigation is believed to be underway after a grandmother claimed a teacher severely smacked her grandchild and his school mates.

The woman told Tonga Broadcom Broadcasting on Wednesday she thought she could reveal it to the talk back show thinking the authorities could hear her complaint and do something about it.

The teacher allegedly threatened to beat the children’s parents if they told them about their punishment.

She said her grandchild was terrified and when she asked to take him with her to the school and talk to the teacher he refused.

Callers to the show were discussing what should be done to reduce violence against woman to mark International Women’s Day.

Callers were discussing the proposal that sports could help reduce violence against women.

The grandmother told the radio she was surprised when she noticed one of her grandchildren who was studying at Vaini Middle School had severe bruises on his body.

When he was asked to explain, the grandchild alleged he was beaten by a teacher at the school.

The grandchild alleged the teacher was violent.

He claimed the teacher sometimes hit all the class including boys and girls and told them they would be punished more if they told their parents.

He alleged the teacher told them he feared no one, including the Police.

The grandmother told the radio she was shocked to see this type of punishment still used in schools.

The radio programme later reported they had been informed the child was taken to hospital later after the broadcast.

They said Police and the Ministry of Education were investigating.

The main points

  • A student has been taken to hospital and a Police and Ministry of Education investigation is believed to be underway after a grandmother claimed a teacher severely smacked her grandchild and his school mates.
  • The woman told Tonga Broadcom Broadcasting on Wednesday she thought she could reveal it the talk back show thinking the authorities could hear her complaint and do something about it.
  • The teacher allegedly threatened to beat the children’s parents if they told them about their punishment.
  • Callers to the show were discussing what should be done to reduce violence against woman to mark International Women’s Day.
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