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Shooting threat against Prime Minister revealed, but Pohiva says he knows who made the threat

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s life has been threatened by a telephone caller who threatened to shoot him.

Lord Tu’ilakepa revealed the shooting threat in Parliament yesterday, saying in Tongan: “It was a dangerous message.”

The Noble made the claim during a heated debate that grew out of allegations about the misuse of school funds and ended with the Police Minister warning Parliamentarians to watch their language.

Hon. Pōhiva was told somebody threatened to shoot him during a telephone call.

The Prime Minister said the caller was a supporter of a candidate who ran for Parliament, but failed.

The Prime Minister wondered what was stopping the caller from carrying out the threat.

“I am just by myself,” the Prime Minister told Lord Tu’ilakepa.

“I have no police or soldiers to guard me.”

Hon. Pōhiva reminded the House he had no security guards to escort him wherever he went. He said the former Prime Minister used police and soldiers as security guards who escorted him wherever he went even when he went to church and to the tennis court.

Lord Tu’ilakepa told Hon. Pōhiva that it was important for him to have his own security guards.

Police Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa warned the House that he had the responsibility of dealing with people who used threatening language.

In 2011 Hon. Pohiva told the House he and his family evacuated their home and hid in their neighbours’ house after somebody called to ask where he was and said he was coming to kill them.

Police eventually found the man with a rifle on a nearby beach.

Yesterday’s threat emerged after Tu’ilakepa asked Hon. Pōhiva why he had pushed to investigate Tonga’s passport scandal, but seemed to ignore matters related to other parliamentarians.

Tu’ilakepa claimed the government granted TP$1000 per head to 400 registered students at Tiveti Training Centre.

He told the House he knew of two students who were registered by the centre, but claimed they did not attend the school.

Hon. Pōhiva told Tu’ilakepa if he had the documents to prove his claim he could give it to him the following day so he could look at it.

Tu’ilakepa claimed there were people in the House who were involved with the school and that was why the government would not investigate this matter.

Tu’ilakepa then warned the Prime Minister that the people of the nation wanted him to change his ways (fakalelei).

He said this was the first time he had heard such a “dangerous message”.

He said the people had revealed what was in their hearts and he was warning the Prime Minister and Members of the House to be on alert.

He said the burning down of Nuku’alofa in 2006 would not be repeated and he feared for the life of the rest of the Members of the Parliament.

Lord Tu’ilakepa, who was charged with drug offences in 2012 that were later dropped, was described as being at the boiling point during a heated debates with Hon. Pohiva.

He appeared to be extremely emotional after Member for Ha’apai 14, Veivosa Taka, interrupted and told the House that if a person was telephoning regularly he was a “dealer.”

But Lord Tu’ilakepa confronted Taka asking him what was the connection between the telephone he made and a “dealer”.

He then said he was talking about a person who called and told him he wanted to shoot the Prime Minister.

Hon. Taka said he thanked Lord Tu’ilakepa for his threat warning, but he believed Tonga was a peaceful country.

He also rejected Tu’alakepa’s claim in the House saying he was representing the majority of the people who raised with him their concerns about the Prime Minister.

He said the nobles, including Lord Tu’ilakepa, were elected to Parliament by only 33 representatives of the nobles and they did not represent the people.

Hon. Taka said he and the rest of the commoner MPS in the House were the only members who represented the people because they were elected by the people.

Lord Tu’ilakepa described Taka’s comments as “distasteful.”

Lord Tu’i’afitu  began to speak in support of Lord Tu’ilakepa, but the Police Minister warned the House about using threatening language and told members to be careful when using such words.

First shooting threat

When Hon. Pōhiva was Leader of Opposition in 2011 he told the House during a debate on the Firearm Acts he received a phone call at his house from someone who told him to wait for him as he was coming to shoot him.

Hon Pohiva said his children fled their house while he and his wife Neo took shelter in another place.

They returned after some time and were told by their neighbours that they had a man who came to their home, called for him and then left.

While they were talking to the neighbour the man came back to their house looking for them again and then left.

Hon. Pohiva said he then called the Police who found the man on a beach with a rifle.

He did not identify the man or further gave details.

The main points

  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s life has been threatened by a telephone caller who threatened to shoot him.
  • Lord Tu’ilakepa revealed the shooting threat in Parliament yesterday, saying in Tongan: “It was a dangerous message.”
  • The Noble made the claim during a heated debate that grew out of allegations about misuse of school funds and ended with the Police Minister warning Parliamentarians to watch their language.
  • Pohiva said the caller was a supporter of a candidate who ran for Parliament, but failed.

 

ADB appoints Tongan to lead its operation in Cambodia

By
Alpha Latu
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A Tongan national was appointed as Asian Development Bank’s director for Cambodia effective February 1.

Samiuela T. Tukuafu will lead ADB operations in Cambodia to support the country’s development goals of promoting inclusive growth and diversifying the economy.

He will oversee the implementation of ADB’s Country Partnership Strategy 2014-2018 for Cambodia which is closely aligned to the Government’s Rectangular Strategy for Growth, Employment, Equity and Efficiency, Phase III and the National Strategic Development Plan.

“Cambodia has achieved remarkable economic growth in recent years despite some unique challenges,” said Mr. Tukuafu.  “I am looking forward to working with the government, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to help improve the quality of life for all Cambodians.”

Prior to his appointment as Country Director, Mr. Tukuafu served as Principal Economist in the Director General’s Office of ADB’s Southeast Asia Regional Department (SERD).

He previously headed the project administration unit in SERD’s Public Management, Financial Sector and Trade Division, and also led operations in financial sector and public financial management.

During this period, he worked closely with the Kingdom of Cambodia between 2004 and 2012 as project team leader for the re-building of Cambodia’s financial sector and some key public financial management reforms.

Mr. Tukuafu has held senior positions in the public and private sectors over more than 31 years. Prior to joining ADB, Mr. Tukuafu was Deputy Governor of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga from 1995 to 2000. He also held roles as Manager of Finance and Marketing at the Westpac Bank of Tonga; Senior Auditor at Price Waterhouse (now Price Waterhouse and Coopers) in Fiji; and the Deputy Accountant General and Head of Budget in the Ministry of Finance, Kingdom of Tonga.

Mr. Tukuafu holds a Master’s degree in Commerce (Banking and Corporate Finance) from the University of New South Wales in Australia. He is married with two children and two grandchildren.

ADB, headquartered in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region.

Salt Lake City Police shoot Tongan man

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Two Police officers have  shot a 28-year-old Tongan  in Salt Lake City on Sunday.

The victim is Palm Samiuel Lautaimi also know as Palema.

His family have confirmed he was shot by police, Fox13 Now News reported.

“Those two Salt Lake City police officers are on standard paid administrative leave”, the news said.

“Lautaimi was taken to a local hospital in critical condition but police say his condition is now stable. Jail records show this isn’t Lautaimi’s first run-in with law enforcement”.

Lautaimi’s past

“In June of 2007, Lautaimi terrorized a west Salt Lake neighborhood during a drive-by shooting. He pleaded guilty to three felony charges. In 2014 Lautaimi was released on parole.

“On Jan. 16, during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, Lautaimi was pulled over by West Valley City police.

“Court documents show police found he had 10 individual twist baggies, which field tested positive for methamphetamine. And in his right pocket a loaded .22 caliber handgun. Both violations of his parole but Lautaimi wasn’t sent to prison.

“The probable cause states “Adult probation and parole was contacted but would not respond to transport him back to the prison due to the holiday.”

“No charges were filed so three days later Lautaimi was released from jail.

Fifteen days later, officers confronted him on the street, which is when Salt Lake City Police say he became violent and was shot”.

Crown Prince launches Thailand funded agro project

By
Kaniva Staff
-

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa has launched an agricultural project brought  from Thailand to the kingdom on February 2  to help develops a “sufficient economy” initiative.

The project was funded by the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and it was initiated at the area between the villa in Tufumahina and Matakiʻeua.

TICA will provide experts and training as part of the project and it will run for three years.

“.A delegation from the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), led by Deputy Director General Mr Singtong Lapisatepun, was in the Kingdom for the launch”, a statement from the Tongan government said.

“Sufficiency economy is a Royal initiative in Thailand which was initially set up in the 1970’s under the patronage of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Tonga was made aware of the project during the time when His Majesty King Tupou VI was the kingdom’s ambassador to Thailand.

Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Latufuipeka was in Thailand in 2014 as part of the plan and negotiation to bring the project to Tonga.

King revokes ʻEtuate Lavulavu as Minister of Tourism

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The king of Tonga His Majesty King Tupou VI has revoked ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu as minister of Tourism effective February 1, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

The royal command was issued after His Majesty received an advice from Prime Minister Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, the Office said.

Hon Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa, the Minister of Police, Prisons and Fire Services,  Ministry of Commerce and Labour,  has been appointed as interim minister of Tourism effective February 1.

Lavulavu became Minister for Tourism after he was elected to Parliament as the Member for Vavaʻu 16 in the 2014 general election.

He was stripped of his parliamentary seat on Monday after the Supreme Court found him guilty of bribery and overspending during the 2014 election.

According to clause 51 (3) (c) of Tonga’s constitution the Supreme Court’s conviction of Lavulavu together with the official announcement by the Speaker that he has been disqualified from Parliament means Lavulavu cannot keep his ministerial position.

According to the constitution clause 51 (3)  a minister shall retain his position as Minister until –

(a)     his appointment is revoked by the King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister or in accordance with clause 50B;

(b)     he dies, resigns or is dismissed from office following impeachment under clause 75; or

(c)     he becomes ineligible to hold the office in accordance with this Constitution or any other law.

Tonga’s Acting Attorney General said Lavulavu was appointed to the ministry by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva because he was elected by the people in the general election.

He said Lavulavu no longer belonged to the Parliament or the government. He could return to Parliament if he was re-elected.

He said the captain or vice-captain of a rugby team retained their positions only because they were elected by the team. Once they were dropped from the team they lost their positions.

Lavulavu has indicated he will appeal his sentence however if the Appeal Court will uphold the Supreme Court’s decision against him clause 40 of Tonga’s Electoral Act 1989 stipulates he “may not be nominated as a candidate at any election held within 5 years of the date when he is ordered to be unseated”.

Man accused of murdering Auckland jogger Jo Pert named

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The man accused of murdering Auckland mother-of-two Joanne Pert last month can now be named as Tevita Mafi Filo.

Joanne Marie Pert, 41, a student and mother of two,  was allegedly murdered while running in the Auckland suburb of Remuera on January 7.

Filo, who is Tongan from Mt Roskill, handed himself in to police on the same day.

 

Filo has been remanded in custody to appear again in April.

A four-week trial has been set down for November.

Vava’u man charged with growing cannabis

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police have arrested a 30-year-old man in Vava’u and seized six cannabis plants from a plantation on January 30 at 12.30pm.

The plantation in Makave is owned by the accused, Police said.

He has been charged with  unlawful growing of cannabis, said Telesia Adams, the Police Communication Officer at Longolongo Police Headquarter.

Holonga shooting ends rival youth groups violence

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A man was shot in the kneecap with a 22 rifle and was later hospitalised while his alleged shooter was arrested and charged with causing bodily harms.

Muʻa Police were called to a home at Holonga on Tuesday night February 2 at about 8pm after reports that fights broke out between local rival youth groups.

Police said more charges will be laid.

The victim was in a stable condition in hospital.

Police investigation continues.

Is Hon Lavulavu still Minister of Tourism? PM’s office says work still in progress on statement

By
Kalino Latu
-

UPDATED: Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has still not announced what will happen to outgoing MP ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu’s ministerial post, amid speculation that the PM will try to keep the disgraced politician in government.

Lavulavu became Minister for Tourism after he was elected to Parliament as the Member for Vavaʻu 16 in the 2014 general election.

He was stripped of his parliamentary seat on Monday after the Supreme Court found him guilty of bribery and overspending during the 2014 election.

Some who talked to Kaniva News but did not want to be named said the minister was still seen in his office after the Speaker of the House declared Lavulavu was “unseated” from the House on Monday

Tonga’s Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Dr Palenitina Langa’oi said work on a statement was still in process.

We contacted Lavulavu for comments and in his response we received this morning he told us to contact the Chief Secretary.

According to clause 51 (3) (c) of Tonga’s constitution the Supreme Court’s conviction of Lavulavu together with the official announcement by the Speaker that he has been disqualified from Parliament means Lavulavu cannot keep his ministerial position.

According to the constitution clause 51 (3)  a minister shall retain his position as Minister until –

(a)     his appointment is revoked by the King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister or in accordance with clause 50B;

(b)     he dies, resigns or is dismissed from office following impeachment under clause 75; or

(c)     he becomes ineligible to hold the office in accordance with this Constitution or any other law.

Tonga’s Acting Attorney General said Lavulavu was appointed to the ministry by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva because he was elected by the people in the general election.

He said Lavulavu no longer belonged to the Parliament or the government. He could return to Parliament if he was re-elected.

He said the captain or vice-captain of a rugby team retained their positions only because they were elected by the team. Once they were dropped from the team they lost their positions.

Lavulavu has indicated he will appeal his sentence however if the Appeal Court will uphold the Supreme Court’s decision against him clause 40 of Tonga’s Electoral Act 1989 stipulates he “may not be nominated as a candidate at any election held within 5 years of the date when he is ordered to be unseated”.

Speculation

Since Lavulavu’s disqualification from Parliament there has been speculation about what will happen to his ministerial position.

Both Pohiva’s supporters and critics have speculated to Kaniva News that the Prime Minister will try to keep Lavulavu in the government.

They based their prediction on the fact that Lavulavu escaped impeachment in Parliament last year because the Prime Minister asked the House to leave it to him to punish the minister.

Lavulavu was accused of misusing his power by ordering works to be done in Vava’u without going through the procurement committee.

Hon Pohiva punished Lavulavu by removing him as Minister of Infrastructure but still retain him as Minister of Tourism. He was also ordered to work without pay for five months  starting in January 2016.

Critics, and even some supporters of Pohiva, thought he would sack Lavulavu, but he did not.

Hon. Pohiva argued that dismissing Lavulavu would be too harsh as he did not misappropriate public funds and he instigated projects for the people of Vava’u.

Kaniva News understands Lavulavu was instrumental in negotiating with the independent MPs to vote for Hon. Pohiva to become Tonga’s Prime Minister in 2014.

He was also one of the most active minister in the current cabinet.

Hon, Pohiva told us in a previous interview that none of his ministers would beat Lavulavu in doing what he wanted to do for the benefit of the nation, apart from doing his normal ministerial duties.

The main points

  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva has still not announced what will happen to outgoing MP ‘Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu’s ministerial post, amid speculation that the PM will try to keep the disgraced politician in government.
  • Lavulavu became Minister for Tourism after he was elected to Parliament as the Member for Vava’u 16 in the 2014 general election.
  • He was stripped of his parliamentary seat on Monday after the Supreme Court found him guilty of bribery and overspending during the 2014 election.
  • Kaniva News has been told the minister was seen in his office after the Speaker of the House declared Lavulavu had been “unseated” from Parliament on Monday.

Zika virus declared global health emergency by WHO

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The World Health Organisation has declared a “public health emergency of international concern” due to the apparent link of the Zika virus to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains.

The global warning came as health experts predicted Zika virus could be bigger global health threat than Ebola.  World health record shows that in January 2016 there were  28,638 Ebola cases and 11,315 deaths.

WHO director general, Margaret Chan called Zika an “extraordinary event” that needed a coordinated response.

“I am now declaring that the recent cluster of microcephaly and other neurological abnormalities reported in Latin America following a similar cluster in French Polynesia in 2014 constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.”

She said the priorities were to protect pregnant women and their babies from harm and to control the mosquitoes that are spreading the virus.

Tonga has registered one recent case of Zika virus.

Media release (MOH NZ)

The Ministry of Health has extended its Pacific travel advice around the Zika virus to include Tonga as well as Samoa as an area of active transmission.

Tonga has reported one recent case of Zika virus within Tonga.

Additionally, the Ministry has received the first Zika notifications for 2016, involving nine travellers who have recently arrived from the South Pacific.

Four of the travellers have been in Tonga,four in Samoa, one is still to be reported.

Four of the travellers are female. In two of those cases, the potential for pregnancy has been ruled out. Further tests are underway for the two remaining women.

Although Zika is generally regarded as a mild illness, it has previously been recognised as having additional complications in a small number of cases.

One of the travellers, a 47 year old Waikato man, has been admitted to Waikato Hospital with symptoms indicative of Guillain-Barre, a condition which can cause paralysis but from which most patients make a full recovery. The patient is in a stable condition.

All the other eight individuals have recovered.

Dr Don Mackie, the Ministry’s Chief Medical Officer, says the notifications should be seen in the context of a large number of travellers in the region.

In 2014 there were 57 Zika notifications;last year there were nine (provisionally).

“We will be providing advice to incoming travellers and the Ministry is updating its information for health professionals. There remains robust mosquito surveillance and monitoring at our borders.”

Health messaging advising travellers on what they should do if they get sick within a month of returning to New Zealand is displayed at all our international airports and available in a health advice card format, Dr Mackie says.

The health advice cards are also available on Ministry of Health website and are available in Tongan and Samoan.

We are working with border agencies and airlines to find ways to enhance and increase the visibility of the messaging.

Acknowledging heightened awareness of Zika’s possible link to foetal microcephaly, Dr Mackie welcomed the overnight statement from the World Health Organization.

The WHO has announced that it will convene an International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Zika to assess whether the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

“The WHO’s international coordination of information and advice is useful to us and to our Pacific partners.

“Emerging diseases do arise from time to time, and their newness often means that their public prominence may be out of proportion to the actual risk they pose.”

“However, until more is known, the Ministry of Health continues to recommend that women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near term consider delaying travel to areas with Zika virus present.

“If travelling in Zika infected areas, women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider. All travellers should take appropriate precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”

Dr Mackie said as an additional precaution, the Ministry was also recommending that women returning from Zika infected areas who might wish to become pregnant should use an effective contraceptive for a period of three weeks after their return.

Updates on Zika notifications will be now be provided weekly – they are currently published each month on the ESR website. From now on they will be published on Thursday afternoon for the next month.

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