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Revenue & Customs calls in companies with late taxes for a chat instead of going straight to court

By
Kaniva Staff
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Hon. Tēvita Lavemaau. Photo/Soane Gallagher Niukapu

The Minister of Revenue and Customs, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau, has stopped referral of any cases related to late payment of taxes and PAYE to court unless he personally approves them.

This means some companies and businesses in Tonga which have outstanding tax bills have relaxed because the Revenue Ministry will now invite them to discuss their cases first without going directly to court.

Kaniva News understands the move was made by the minister as an attempt to solve the problems caused by the cost of investigating tax arrears.

It is understood the department has lost a lot of money when prosecuting businesses and companies because of legal costs and court fees.

In an e-mail sent by Hon. Lavemaau to his heads of department and CEOs on April 2, the minister said he wanted to build a good working relationship with the department’s clientele rather than making them enemies of the government because of their unpaid arrears.

The e-mail, which has been seen by Kaniva News, said the new strategy meant all cases would be assessed on a case by case basis and would depend on the minister’s approval.

“It is my strong belief that we need to promote a good relationship with our clientele especially to support our move to Voluntary Compliance,” Hon. Lavemaau said in the e-mail.

“It takes time and tireless effort to get them on-board. However, the long term benefits for our economy is enormous. We need to build the trust and confidence of the business community in us by getting out there and discussing with them the various issues and concerns that we have, such as non-registration for CT, Late Payment of CT and PAYE.

“Discuss with them the alternatives solutions and wider implications if we take the force of law on our hands. Get them on-board.

“As from April onward I would urge you all to take a new route and strategy as briefly explained above.

“Further I would like to cease referral of any cases to Tribunal and Court without any prior approval. This mechanism is only to apply as a matter of last resort.”

The main points

  • Some Tongan companies with unpaid taxes are sleeping easier this year because the Ministry of Revenue and Customs has decided to invite them to discuss their cases without going directly to court.
  • The decision was made by Minister of Inland Revenue Hon. Tevita Lavemaau in an e-mail revenue staff in April.
  • The minister has stopped the referral of any cases related to late payment of taxes and PAYE to court unless he personally approves them.
  • Kaniva News understands the move was made by the minister as an attempt to solve the problems caused by the cost of investigating tax arrears.

For more information

Ministry of Revenue and Customs

Archibishop of York visits Tonga

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Archbishop of York, The Most Reverend, the Right Honourable Dr. John Sentamu, arrived  in Tonga on Saturday and will be leaving the kingdom tomorrow.

He has delivered a sermon to Anglican faithful at the St. Paul’s Eucharist in Nukuʻalofa yesterday where he  officiated at the ordination of new priests of the Anglican Church of Tonga on Sunday 2nd August at St. Paul’s Eucharist.

“The ordained priests were Fr. Laiseni Liavaʻa and Fr. Steven Vaka.

“Today, Monday 3rd August, His Grace will join with the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni who is also Minister responsible for the Environment and Climate Change, in a dedication service this morning on Pangaimotu Island, to mark the promotion of public awareness on the environment and climate change.

His Grace will later meet with Church Leaders for lunch this afternoon and with the Anglican community before his departure tomorrow”.

On the rocks: picture shows how close Niuvakai came to collision at Tuʻanuku

By
Kaniva Staff
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With its prow resting on the rocks at Tuʻanuku shore, this dramatic picture shows just how close the Niuvākai cargo ship came to a potentially disastrous end.

The picture was obviously  taken after the cargo vessel ran aground off the Tuʻanuku coast on Friday morning.

The cause of the incident is still unknown.

The Minister of Infrastructure confirmed the incident on Friday and said there were no reports of any injuries.

The 36-year-old ship has just returned from Fiji about two weeks ago after its dry dock in Walu Bay. The dry dock was made after it was taken out of service because it was found to be leaking.

 

 

Authorities plead with public to stop changing road signs

By
Kaniva Staff
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A photo taken on Tuesday this week after employees sent by Land Transport Department to reinstate road signs at the village of Masilamea believed to have been changed by members of the public. The signs confused drivers.  Photo/Kaniva News (Paul Quinn Ta’ai).

Tonga’s Department of Transport has pleaded with those who are tampering with road signs for whatever reasons to stop it immediately.

The Acting Director of Land Transport Tevita Lavemai told Kaniva News this was an increasing problems  for his department.

He said this had happened in the past and despite various efforts made to protect it from happening again it appeared the problem persisted.

As reported by Kaniva News on Sunday this week, a couple were confused when they saw two different road signs for speed limit on the same stretch of road at the village of Masilamea on Hihifo Rd. They were not sure which one they should follow.

Driving eastbound on Hihifo Road towards Nukuʻalofa the driver and her wife noticed a 50 km/h speed limit sign on the left side of the road and 70 km/h on their right side.

Lavemai said he believed someone had intentionally altered the signs.

He said the 50km/h sign supposed to face westbound drivers while the 70km/h faces eastbound drivers towards Nukuʻalofa.

Lavemai said he would send employees to fix the problem and the department would review this issue again at its next meeting.

Two different road signes for speed limit at Hihifo Rd at the village of Masilamea confused drivers. Photo/by courtesy of Yvette Gutteinbeil Paea
Two different road signs for speed limit on Hihifo Rd at the village of Masilamea confused drivers. Photo/by courtesy of Yvette Gutteinbeil Paea

MV Niuvākai hits reef in Vavaʻu

By
Kaniva Staff
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The MV Niuvākai has run aground off the Vavaʻu Islands near Tuʻanuku this morning, but there are no reports of any injuries.

The Minister of Infrastructure Hon ʻEtuate Lavulavu reportedly said the ship had been leaving Taufaʻāhau Wharf, Haʻapai on Thursday with cargoes heading to Vavaʻu before it rammed into a rocky shoal at about 9am Friday 31.

He said the ship’s team is currently assessing the situation and will provide more information as it becomes available.

The grounding comes about a forthnight after the government owned vessel returned from Fiji after her dry dock at Walu Bay because it was found to be leaking in the month of June.

 

Tonga defend pacific games hosting amid criticisms

By
Kaniva Staff
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PNG, Pacific Games Venue, Sir John Guise stadium set for magnificent Opening. Photo credit: Hon. Justin Tkatchenko

The Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva is defending the kingdom’s hosting the 2019 Pacific Games saying his Minister of Finance is optimistic about Tonga’s capability to host the games and a cabinet decision has confirmed it this week.

Tonga won the right to host the 2019 Pacific Games over Tahiti in 2012,  winning 16 votes to six.

The Finance Minister Dr. ‘Aisake Eke proposed in his projected budget 2015/16 TP$133 million for the infrastructural construction alone.

The money would be collected from an increase of the airport departure tax by $100 pa’anga, and the application of a 2 cents levy on foreign currency exchange.

The tax hikes were  strongly rejected by local business owners saying that “raising taxes for consumers to pay for the Pacific Games would be bad policy considering the fragile state of Tonga’s economy, and despite any short term boosts from tourism, it would not be worth the long-term cost”.

The statement

In a statement today by Hon. Pohiva, he said the 2019 Games will be hosted in Tonga despite the difficulties in raising the necessary funds to finance the Games.

“The main concern has been the lack of funding for the needed infrastructural construction of facilities and the provision of equipment for the Games.

“Doubt was cast on whether Tonga will go ahead with stated of the Games when the Prime Minister had earlier given media interviews that the financial position of the country was not adequate to host the Games.

“Sporting facilities such as a golf course and a swimming pool do not exist in Tonga. These two facilities alone will take up half of the budget claimed to be needed for the 2019 Games.

“In addition, the existing venue facilities in Tonga are extremely inadequate for the Games. That includes an outdoor stadium, and an indoor stadium that would host basketball, volleyball, netball, and other events.

“But Minister for Finance and National Planning, Dr. Hon. ‘Aisake Eke has announced that he is upbeat about Tonga’s ability to host the Games, and construction could begin in 2016.

“In the meantime, the Oceania Sports Association has spoken out that preparation for the 2019 Games in Tonga is late by almost two years.

“The projected budget for the infrastructural construction alone stands at $133 million pa’anga.

Tonga hosted a Pacific Mini-Games in 1989, but has never hosted a full Pacific Games in its 52-year history”.

Tonga wins over USA Eagles at Toronto

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s national rugby team ‘Ikale Tahi continued to thrill their fans today after securing a second victory at Pacific Cup championship against USA Eagles in Toronto with 33 – 19 scores.

Last week the ʻIkale Tahi beat Canada 28-18 at the Swangard Stadium.

TONGA
1 Soane Tonga’uiha 2 Elvis Taione 3 Halani Aulika 4 Uili Kolo’ofai 5 Joe Tu’ineau 6 Steve Mafi (capt.) 7 Jack Ram 8 Viliami Fihaki 9 Tane Takulua 10 Kurt Morath 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo 12 Alipate Fatafehi 13 Sione Piukala 14 Telusa Veainu 15 Otulea Katoa

16 Sefo Sakalia 17 Sona Taumalolo 18 Sila Puafisi 19 Lua Lokotui 20 Hale T-Pole 21 Sosefo Ma’ake 22 Latiume Fosita 23 Vungakoto Lilo

USA
1 Mate Moeakiola 2 Phil Thiel (capt.) 3 Chris Baumann 4 Louis Stanfill 5 Greg Peterson 6 Cameron Dolan 7 Scott LaValla 8 Al McFarland 9 Shalom Suniula 10 Toby L’Estrange 11 Zack Test 12 Andrew Suniula 13 Folau Niua 14 Brett Thompson 15 Troy Hall

16 Zach Fenoglio 17 Nick Wallace 18 Eric Fry 19 Hayden Smith 20 Andrew Durutalo 21 Mike Petri 22 Thretton Palamo 23 Tim Stanfill

Editor and publisher of Keleʻa Newspaper fined for contempt of court

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Editor of Keleʻa Newspaper ‘Ofa Vatikani has been fined TP$1,250.00 and Publisher Lautala Pōhiva Tapueluelu TP$750.00  for breaching contempt of court laws with their coverage of the magistrate court ruling against the  Chinese nationals Meilin Liu and Fe Kaifeng Tian.

Lord Chief Justice Owen Paulsen  ordered the duo to pay their fines within 2 months or face one month imprisonment.

Tonga’s Acting  Attorney General, ʻĀminiasi Kefu launched the contempt action against the newspaper’s authorities in June, after they published a story headlined – “Fehuʻia pe ‘oku totonu nai ke fōtunga pehe ni tuʻutuʻuni hopo” (“Questionable whether a court order should look like this”), which was published in the Ko e Kele’a newspaper of Monday 2 March 2015, Volume 31, Number 9.

In his ruling Justice Paulsen said it was clear the readers would “understand” from the last paragraph of the article that the release of Liu and Tian was made by Magistrate Mafi because he had received “communications from high authorities” at the Ministry of Justice. .

“That would have the effect, in my view, to lead members of the community to conclude that Magistrate Mafi was influenced to discharge the defendants, that he is not impartial and that the Magistrate Court is not an independent institution, but one that is subject to influence from people in high authority”,  a statement from the AG Office  said.

Justice Paulsen also advised that “anyone is free to criticise the decisions of the Court or the conduct of any Judge, even if the criticism is outspoken, mistaken or wrongheaded, provided that it is not likely to undermine the public confidence in the administration of justice”.

Mr Vatikani and Mrs Pohiva were remorseful, and as an expression of their regret, they have agreed to publish their apologies on Kele’a acknowledging their article was in breach of contempt of court laws and reflecting the fact that it should never have been made.

The defendants were ordered to pay the court costs and were also given 42 days from 15 July 2015 to file any appeal against their conviction.

Dr Harrison QC SC represented Mr Vatikani and Mrs Pohiva, and the Acting Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions for the Crown Law.

Family and kāinga hold vigil for hit and run victim

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A 29-year-old Maka Langi of East Palo Alto died  after the motorcycle he was riding was hit on a Milpitas highway. Photo/Fale Hufanga United Methodist Church (Facebook).

Friends and family of Maka Langi a motorcyclist who was killed and left to die on a South Bay highway after he was hit by a car earlier this month, held a  sombre ceremony in his honour.

His family said it was Langi’s lifelong dream to own a motorcycle. The 29-year-old bought a 2007 Harley Davidson back in May on the one year anniversary of his mother’s death. She died of cancer. Two months after owning the bike, his life abruptly ended, KTVU news reported.

“He was cruising on his bike and couldn’t wait to see his nephew,” his cousin and best friend Tupou Taufahema told the news.

On July 4, CHP said around 9:15 p.m. Langi was riding his motorcycle on Interstate 880 North in Milpitas approaching the Highway 237 overpass when he was hit. CHP said the driver sped off and Langi died at the scene, the news reported.

“We had plans of growing old together, we had a lot of plans together,” said Taufahema. “My heart hurts. It really hurts.”

Loved ones said the East Palo Alto man was loving, caring and known as Uncle Maka to the many kids in the family. While studying at Foothill College, he worked two jobs including one at Ikea and another helping his dad with his landscaping business.

No one is taking it harder than Langi’s father.

“I know he loved me so much,” said Langi’s father Emmanuel.

His father Emmanuel Langi was reported as speaking directly to the hit-and-run motorist through the broadcast, saying that he forgives him for what he has done, and that he simply wishes for him to come forward with answers.

Police have yet to make any arrests and their investigation was ongoing.

‘Ikale Tahi name team to play USA Eagles

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tonga’s headcoach Mana ‘Otai has named the ‘Ikale Tahi squad to meet the USA Eagles at BMO Field in Toronto this weekend.

A statement from Tonga Rugby Union said:  “Soane Tonga’uiha comes into the side for Tevita Mailau, and Viliami Fihaki will start in place of Viliami Ma’afu, off due to a shoulder injury.

“Other changes see Steve Mafi taking over the reins from Nili Latu for this match and moving to the blindside. Uili Kolo’ofa’i is starting at lock, with Hale T-Pole starting from the bench this week.

Kurt Morath maintains kicking duties after a solid performance against Canada, and Otulea Katoa will start ahead of Vunga Lilo”.
The full team is:
1.Loose Head – Soane Tonga‘uiha
2.Hooker – Elvis Taione
3.Tighthead – Halani Aulika
4.Lock – Uili Kolo‘ofa‘i
5.Lock – Joe Tuineau
6.Blindside – Steve Mafi (Kapiteni)
7.Openside – Jack Ram
8.No.8 – Viliami Fihaki
9.Scrum Half – Sonatane Takulua
10.Outside Half – Kurt Morath
11.Wing – Fetu‘u Vainikolo
12.Centre – ‘Alipate Fatafehi
13.Centre – Sione Piukala
14.Wing – Telusa Veainu
15.Fullback – ‘Otulea Katoa

Reserve:

16.Front Row – Sosefo Sakalia
17.Front Row – Alisona Taumalolo
18.Front Row – Sila Puafisi
19. Tukulua Lokotui
20.Hale T Pole
21.Sosefo Ma‘ake
22.Latiume Fosita
23.Vungakoto Lilo

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