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Pōhiva approaches king with proposal to sack attorney general

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Prime Minister of Tonga Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva has approached His Majesty King Tupou VI with a proposal to dismiss the Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu local media have reported.

The Attorney General can only be dismissed or replaced by the King according to the constitution.

It was claimed the proposal was handed in to the king in a meeting with Pohiva last week.

The details of the submission was not immediately clear but Letio Tonga 87.5 said the Prime Minister obviously was still not satisfied with the performance of the Attorney General since the new government began this year.

Previous report:

In February Hon. Pohiva accused  Kefu of interfering in Lord Tuʻilakepa’s fire arms case.

Lord Tu’ilakepa was sentenced in January and ordered to pay fine of TP$10,000 within 14 days after pleading guilty to firearms and ammunition charges.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and if Lord Tu’ilapeka had been  jailed for two or more years he would have lost all his noble privileges and title.

He escaped the jail terms and still holds his title.

In a letter released to the media, the Prime Minister said Kefu appeared to have interfered  “with the independence and impartiality of a pending decision by a Supreme Judge of His Majesty’s Judiciary.”

The Prime Minister has demanded that Kefu responds to what he described as his “grave concerns.”

Kefu told Kaniva News at the time he had just seen the letter as he was traveling overseas and would return and deal with the matter.

“I am fully prepared to answer and it is based on a total misunderstanding of judicial proceedings, and the role of the AG”, Kefu said.

Hon. Pohiva claimed Kefu, the principal legal officer who represents the Crown and the state in legal proceedings, appeared to have attempted “to reduce the severity of the case”.

He argued that Kefu failed in his role to bring full justice against Lord Tu’ilakepa.

He also accused him of trying to diminish the severity of the case in comments made on air.

The Prime Minister said  Lord Tu’ilakepa should have been treated the same way as the other people involved in the case.

Police laid firearms charges against Lords Lasike, Tu’ilakepa and Tuʻihaʻateiho, for illegal possession of firearms and weapons several years ago.

Hon. Pohiva said Lord Lasike’s case was heard four years ago. Lord Tu’ilakepa was only heard this year and Lord Tu’iha’ateiho’s case is yet to be heard.

He expressed concern about the different sentences handed down to Lord Lasike and Lord Tu’ilakepa, saying he found them “to be discriminating and excessive”.

According to the Prime Minister’s letter, only one bullet case was found in Lord Lasike’s residence while two caches of ammunitions were found at Lord Tu’ilakepa’s residences, in Longolongo and Ofu.

The Prime Minister said Kefu should have not pleaded for a lesser sentence for Lord Tu’ilakepa during his court prosecution hearing.

“Is it normal for a Crown Barrister like the Solicitor and acting Attorney General and now acting Attorney General, to be directly involved in seeking a lesser severe penalty for the defendant with the presiding judge of a case?” the Prime Minister said.

Hon Pohiva told Kefu his attitude may have been accepted by former administrations but it “has no place in my government”.

“The prolonged and unnecessary delay in bringing the case of Lord Tu’ilakepa to court baffled me,” the Prime Minister said.

 

PM Pohiva undergoes medical check up in Auckland

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva was in Auckland Monday 9 for a routine medical check up his office said in a statement today.

“The Prime Minister’s Office hereby makes a formal announcement that the Prime Minister, Hon. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva, is currently in New Zealand on routine medical check-ups”, the statement said.

It said the honourable Prime Minister, 73, was expected to attend the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting in Malta and the COP21 Conference in Paris, France later this month.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, was currently the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

It was understood Finance Minister  Hon. ‘Aisake Eke was Acting Education Minister.

Government clarifies plan to purchase local business’ heavy equipment

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s Ministry of Infrastructure’s plan to purchase used heavy equipment from a local business owner was made as one of the government’s move to increase road maintenance and construction.

The prices of the equipment were cheaper and affordable when compared to second-hand equipment in New Zealand.

The owner  has planned to give government free three heavy equipment if it purchased his equipment.

The Secretary for Finance Tatafu Moeaki has told Kanva News the government was in the process of procuring road maintenance equipment owned by Tomifa Paea.

Moeaki said they were waiting for the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) to provide them with ownership documentations of the equipment.

The cost was expected to be at TP$500,000 and Moeaki said it was above the thresholds and because of that it has to go through government’s procurement process.

He said his Ministry was ccurrently engaging ASCO Motors, a reputable local Toyota company to provide valuation of those equipment to consider against the value brought up by the Ministry of Infrastructure.

“As part of this work, we will be interested in the equipment utilizations to date, maintenance records and ASCO’s independent valuation.

“Our assessment will have to be satisfied with the value for money of the purchase, and that the purchase will be a good deal to commit Government to on the condition that, the Ministry of Infrastructure complies with our requirements by regulations,” Moeaki said.

In a statement MOI said road maintenance was one of the public huge demands that had been raised in Parliament from time to time and in letters of petition they received from the people.

In the past only Tongatapu the main island has proposed and regular scheduled road maintenance programmes and nothing for the outer islands, the MOI said.

The main problem the Ministry was currently facing was lack of equipment for the work and some islands including ‘Eua, Tongatapu and the Niuas have equipment but they were outdated and apparently no longer working.

MOI said they sent two mechanics to New Zealand last month to see if government could purchase second hand equipment for the work but they found out the prices were too expensive compared to the prices offered by Tomifa Paea.

If the government would go ahead and purchase Paea’s equipment he would give three heavy equipment free, the statement said.

‘Aisea To’a withdraws his lawsuit against Hon Lavulavu

By
Kaniva Staff
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‘Aisea Silivenusi To’a, one of two plaintiffs who filed lawsuits against Tonga’s Ministry of Infrastructure  and Tourism, Hon. ‘Etuate Lavulavu withdrew his legal action, a court document said.

To’a was plaintiff number two in the election petition “with prejudice” and his withdrawal was made on October 6, the document said. The first plaintiff was Dr Viliami Uasikē Lātū.

“That as of today that my decision and action to withdraw as plaintiff number 2 is independently sound to the best of my knowledge to this election petition,” the document said.

“That is only fair that I withdrew my lawsuit against Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu as I don’t have confident of this election petition”.

Dr Latu and To’a ran as candidates for Vavaʻu 16 last year but they were defeated by Hon Lavulavu.

In a press release released to Kaniva News this afternoon it said To’a was co-plaintiff with Dr Viliami Uasike Latu in launching the election petition alleging that Lavulavu breached the election laws.

To’a said he was approached by Dr Latu and asked  to join him in his attemp to sue Hon. Lavulavu after the election.

The statement said the trio all come from Leimatu’a in Vava’u and they are blood related.

Their case was believed to be the first in the history of Tonga to have three candidates from same village who competed as parliamentary candidates and eventually ended up in court because some of them did not accept the consequences of defeat they experienced after the election campaign.

Serious crash at Tufumahina royal residence, driver and passengers fled scene

By
Kaniva Staff
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The driver and passengers of a car that crashed into the fence of the royal residence in Tufumahina this morning had allegedly fled the scene.

An eye witnessed who did not want to be identified told Kaniva News the accident happened at about 11am when the car veered off and almost hit one of the two tiger statues that stand by the main entrance of the residence on Taufa’ahau rd.

It then flipped and rolled over landing between one of the statues and the fence.

Police have yet to respond to our request for comments.

Tragic teen Jessica Kiutau laid to rest in Manukau Memorial Garden

By
Kaniva Staff
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There were moving scenes today as the body of tragic teenager Jessica Kiutau was laid to rest in Manukau, Memorial Garden.

The 17-year-old was found dead at her South Auckland home in mysterious circumstances last weekend although the family have an explanation to those who attended her funeral about what they believed had caused their loved one to leave them so early.

Kaniva understands it would take time for the authority to officially determine the cause of Jessica’s death.

Hundreds of family and friends gathered to say their farewell to the young woman this morning in a farewell service that began with a Mass at the Holy Cross Church in Papatoetoe.

Laid to rest in a black coffin, a single picture of Ms Kiutau was placed by her coffin by her parents Ponita and Lolesio Kiutau.

Many of young teen’s schoolmates from McAuley High School held back their tears as her remains arrived at the church and at the cemetery.

Many wore their school uniforms and held up photos of the late teen. Some of them carried Jessica’s coffin from the church to a waiting black hearse before she was taken to the cemetery.

At the cemetery the students performed an emotional Maori Haka to honour their school mate while families and friends wept the last moment before Jessica was laid to rest.

Many took to Facebook including friends and relatives who said the family were trying to come to terms with their loss.

Jessica’s death has left a huge void at the heart of our whole family, one family commentator said on Facebook.

Seini Vito Wairasi said Jessica was a “quiet and well-behaved girl”.

Government saves TP$1.6 million of King’s coronation celebration by careful cost cutting

By
Kalino Latu
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King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u on their coronation day. Photo/Edwina Pickles (Fairfax Media)

The coronation of King Tupou VI cost taxpayers TP$1.6 million (NZ$1 million) less than expected, the Prime Minister’s office has announced.

The savings were the result of careful cost cutting on everything from free travel to flowers.

The Prime Minister’s Office said King Tupou’s coronation had been expected to cost TP$5.2 million (NZ$3.6 million), but had only cost TP$3.6 million (NZ$2.5 million).

The savings contrasted with the TP$10 million (NZ$7  million) spent on the coronation of the  late King George VI.

The money spent came from TP$1.9 million (NZ$1.3 million) from the Palace Office and TP$1.7 million (NZ$1.2 million) from the government and Cabinet Coronation Committees, which were chaired by the Prime Minister.

Tonga Revenue, Custom and Immigration Ministry’s CEO ‘Anisi Bloomfield told Kaniva News the coronation had been widely seen as a success and an encouragement to the government’s policy of cutting as much as possible unnecessary spending of public funds.

Bloomfield was a member of the committee which monitored the funding of the event. He said the government’s partner organisations and businesses worked very well together to make the event a great success.

He said the government cut funding for matters they believed would not affect the coronation.

Overtime payment for drivers was cut and petrol use was recorded and closely monitored.

Vehicle rentals were reduced and for the most part government vehicles were used instead.

Free travel for people from the outer islands was restricted to a certain number of travellers and other travellers had to pay for themselves.

During the coronation of George VI the government gave outer islanders free travel to Tongatapu to participate in the celebration.

The government also reduced spending on the renovation of the Centenary Chapel where the crowning took place and agreed to equally share the costs with the Free Wesleyan Church,

They also cut the spending on certain occasions, including the special dressing for those who were awarded medals. For instance, the kahoa kakala (necklaces of flowers) given to guests at royal events normally cost TP$200 (NZ$140) each.

They also reduced spending on communication and media and the amount of fireworks used.

“The success of the Coronation is due to the effective collaboration between Government Ministries and the public at large from Tonga and abroad,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.

The main points

  • The coronation of King Tupou VI cost taxpayers TP$1.6 million less than expected, the Prime Minister’s Office has announced.
  • The savings were the result of careful cost cutting on everything from free travel to flowers.
  • The Prime Minister’s Office said King Tupou’s wedding had been expected to cost TP$5.2 million, but had only cost TP$3.6 million.
  • The savings contrasted with the TP$10 million spent on the coronation of the late King George VI.

For more information

Tonga crowns King Tupou VI in lavish public coronation, parties (ABC)

Family heartbroken at death of Tongan teen

By
Kaniva Staff
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A Tongan family in South Auckland have been left heartbroken at the loss of a 17-year-old teenage girl whose cause of death has yet to be determined by authority.

Jessica Kiutau the eldest daughter of Lolesio and Benita Kiutau was found dead at her home in Papatoetoe yesterday Saturday, October 31.

According to a family member, Emergency Services were called in and an intensive first aid effort was made to revive her before she was taken to hospital.

Her aunt Sr Kalala Taufa Kiutau has confirmed her death to Kaniva News last night.

She also wrote on Facebook after she received the news: “Kiutau family is a big family…..but we failed to help and save our niece….a cousin….and an aunt to grand nieces and grand nephews”.

“Jessica will be missed for her deep love of children…..she had a great sense of humour”.

King agrees to set up royal commission to investigate Tonga’s passport scandal

By
Kaniva Staff
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His Majesty King Tupou VI assented to a move by Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s government to establish a Royal Commission to investigate the Tongan passport scandal.

This has been confirmed to Kaniva News by Tonga’s Minister of Police, Hon Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa.

Hon Tuʻiʻonetoa said when the new government approached the king recently and asked for His assent to the commission His Majesty told them he had already approved the Royal Commission in 2014.

But the former government delayed establishing the commission because they had queries about it and wanted to make another proposal to the king.

The former government was ousted in last Novermbers’ general election before the royal commission was set up.

Dr Tuʻiʻonetoa, who was talking to us from the Cook Islands last week while attending a meeting said they expected to meet in two week times to set up the commission.

Kaniva previously reported that:

Tuʻiʻonetoa, Tonga’s former General Auditor believed the commission’s inquiry would help bring many answers to questions that had gone unanswered for years regarding the sale and issuing  of Tongan passports particularly to foreigners.

The Tongan passport scandal  

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa told Kaniva News  last year that a passport scandal allegedly involving the Prime Minister’s office in 2014 was one of  the two biggest he had come across in the past three years.

His claim came after audited documents leaked to New Zealand media, including Kaniva News, showed a table headed “Summary of holders of ordinary passport with no naturalisation certificate during audit period”.

A list of 12 Chinese nationals was then displayed  in the table.

The documents also noted that when the auditor asked the Immigration Department to explain why Chinese nationals were being given Tongan passports without holding naturalisation certificate as the law requires, he was told “the direction was given from higher authority.”

 No law

When the Auditor’s office urged the Attorney General to charge the people involved, his office said they could not do anything because there was no law that could be used to launch a prosecution.

Tongan passports were issued illegally to Asians in the 1980s. In 1999 the sale of the Tongan passports was stopped, with the government saying it had sold almost 7000 passports to Asians for almost US$40 million (TP277 million/NZ$181 million).

The termination of the sales came after ‘Akilisi Pohiva, who was then an opposition Parliamentarian, launched a lawsuit against the government for selling the passports. The government then changed the kingdom’s constitution to allow the sale.

The then king, King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, decided the money needed to be invested overseas, saying that if it was deposited in Tonga “the government would only spend it on roads.”

The money was invested in a number of overseas funds at the suggestion of financial adviser Jesse Bogdonoff, a former Bank of America official who had been named as the king’s jester. In still disputed circumstances, most of the money that had been invested in the Tongan Trust Fund was lost.

Fraud with fake papers, four charged

By
Kaniva Staff
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Four men accused of using fake birth certificate and other documents to obtain a passport from Immingration are facing several forgery and deception charges in Nukuʻalofa.

Tonga’s Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Unga Fa’aoa has confirmed an investigation was launched earlier this month after Police received complaint concerning a suspicious passport application.

It was alleged the suspect was non-Tongan and he or she used forged Tongan birth certificate in the application.

The accused were facing charges of forgery, knowingly dealing with forged documents, illegal access and interference with course of justice.

The four accused will appear at the Magistrate Court on Monday November 9, 2015.

As the matter is before court police were unable to comment further.

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