An Australian man is facing almost three years in an Indonesian jail after a video allegedly showing him assaulting a local driver was sent to police.
Maika James Folauhola (pictured) was arrested at a Bali airport on Friday after allegedly assaulting a driver
Maika James Folauhola, a 24-year-old from Mildura in north-west Victoria, was arrested by Kuta Police while preparing to board a flight home at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Friday.
Kuta Police allege Mr Folauhola attacked a driver shortly after 10pm last Sunday.
‘According to the victim’s statement, the perpetrator hit the victim five times on the victim’s head, shoulders, neck and back until the victim suffered injuries,’ Kuta Police Chief Commissioner I Ketut Agus Pasek Sudina told local news outlets.
The allegation was reported to police on Tuesday with the Investigation Unit Opsnal Team arresting Mr Folauhola with the help of airport security staff.
Footage of the incident shows a man, alleged to be Mr Folauhola, standing in front of the driver’s car before lashing out and hitting the driver against their window.
Police claim Mr Folauhola told officers the car had almost hit him and that he had been drinking before the alleged attack.
‘The perpetrator suddenly hit the side window of the victim’s car until finally the victim got out of the car intending to ask the perpetrator who hit the window,’ Commissioner Sudina said.
‘But the victim was actually assaulted by the perpetrator.’
Mr Folauhola could face up to two years and eight months behind bars if found guilty for the alleged assault.
A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is ‘providing consular assistance to an Australian detained in Bali’.
KING COUNTY, Wash. – Last week, a jury rendered a unanimous verdict, finding Joshua “Everybodytalksabout” Puloka guilty on all counts in the triple murder case that shook Des Moines in 2021.
Last week, a jury rendered a unanimous verdict, finding Joshua “Everybodytalksabout” Puloka guilty on all counts in the triple murder case that shook Des Moines in 2021.
The conviction, brought forth by King County Prosecutors, marks the conclusion of a case that gripped the community, bringing some measure of closure to the families of the victims.
A jury found Puloka guilty of eight counts: one count of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, three counts of first-degree manslaughter, and one count each of first- and second-degree assault.
The jury’s decision reflected a thorough consideration of the evidence presented, as they convicted Puloka as charged on each count they were instructed on. The jury’s decision not to pursue three of the charges was a testament to the sufficiency of evidence presented on other counts.
“Justice was done in this case – justice for Antoine Matthews, Angelia Hylton, and Ezra Taylor who were murdered, justice for the two additional surviving gunshot victims, justice for their families, and justice for our entire King County Community,” said King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion.
This isn’t Puloka’s first encounter with the law. With this being his third strike, he faces the possibility of life in prison without parole. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 21.
Puloka’s conviction stems from a tragic incident that unfolded outside La Familia Sports Pub in Des Moines on September 26, 2021. The shooting resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to three others.
According to court documents, Puloka was identified as the perpetrator who indiscriminately fired shots into a crowded parking lot, fatally striking Matthews, Hylton, and Taylor. The incident unfolded amidst a chaotic scene captured on surveillance footage, where a fight erupted, leading to the fatal shots.
Demarcus Simmons, identified as a second suspect in the incident, engaged in physical altercations before the shooting. Puloka, standing nearby, joined the altercation, leading to the deadly gunfire.
The aftermath of the shooting left a community in mourning and families shattered.
“He always would tell me, ‘mom, your heart is my heart, and my heart is your heart,’” Selena Taylor told FOX 13 Seattle in 2021. “I miss my heart, and sometimes it’s hard for me to breathe because I want my heart back.”
Selena said her son, 26-year-old Ezra Taylor, was one of the victims.
Ezra was an actor who had just finished his first film, according to Selena, who described her son as sweet, humble, quiet and caring.
“He would want to see everyone succeed. He would want everybody to be well. He would give his last shirt to anybody,” said Selena.
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from Sydney’s north.
Stephen Fifita, aged 30, was last seen at a medical facility on Reserve Road, St Leonards, about 10am yesterday (Saturday 25 May 2024).
When he could not be contacted or located, officers attached to North Shore Police Area Command were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare.
Stephen is described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, 170cm, medium build, dark coloured hair and moustache.
He was last seen wearing a blue Hawaiian style shirt with white emblems, light coloured shorts and blue shoes.
Stephen is known to frequent the Dulwich Hill area.
Investigations have established that he may have been in the vicinity of Lewisham at 11.15am yesterday (Saturday 25 May 2024). Anyone with information into
The diver who had retrieved the body from Laulea beach waters yesterday had been hailed and recognised online.
Puli ki Pulotu Afu Jr
Veimau Toke had volunteered to dive and searched for Puli ki Puloti Jr Afu’s body in one of Tonga’s most dangerous water spots.
Not long after he had descended deep into the notorious underwater Toke found Afu’s body and brought it to surface.
He had been hailed as a hero with many saying he had saved taxpayers’ money which may have been spent if it had been left for the Police to conduct the search.
The online community has congratulated and rewarded Toke as a good Samaritan.
Some suggested that the government should formally recognise him.
Meanwhile, family, friends and kāinga of Afu have paid tribute to a “really caring man”.
Afu disappeared on Saturday morning and was found dead in the waters several hours later.
Reports claimed he went for a swim before he was reported missing.
Following the devastating news, Afu’s family took to Facebook and identified him as the Laulea victim.
A post read: “We would like to thank everyone for sharing social media posts, and members of the public and friends who have been out looking for Puli”.
“I have learnt a lot from you Puli Afu Junior. You were young but behaved as a matured adult. You were just a good behaving young man”, another wrote in Tongan.
“I will never forget these faces (sic), they treated us all the same growing up in the island. I used to follow my dad to all his rugby trainings and Puli was one of my dad’s best players. Love you heaps and goodbye. Say hi to dad for me oh I can already imagine the reunion”.
Veimau Toke
Laulea beach is one of the most dangerous places in Tonga to go swimming due to powerful rip currents and waves that are known to sweep people out to sea.
In 2018 Viliami Vaka’uta, 24, was presumed dead after he attempted to save her wife in the water.
‘Inoke Mapaleve Mo’unga, 32, of Kolonga drowned at the beach after visiting there with his wife and friends.
In 2012 Catholic priest, Father Mikaele Mateo , 37, died at Laulea Beach while helping to rescue his five young nephews who were swept out to open sea by the strong currents.
Police have rushed a person to Vaiola hospital after an incident on a road in Nuku’alofa in the early hours of this morning.
Videos posted to Facebook showed marked police vehicle with lights and sirens on at the scene.
Reports claimed the patient was a victim of a hit and run incident.
Several bystanders assisted in carrying the victim to the Police van.
A person who uploaded a video of the incident to Facebook simply commented in Tongan. “The incident occurred near Ciora bar”.
Police could not be reached for comment.
You may also like the following excerpts from our latest stories in the past 24 hours.
Death of man found in Rotorua natural hot pool prompts safety fears, tributes
Friends say it was not uncommon for Tui Siufanga to end the day with a warm soak in a natural hot pool at Rotorua’s Sulphur Point. His constant companion, a pet dog he adored, was usually not too far away. Two weeks ago, Siufanga was found dead in the area.
Tonga seized firearms being smuggled in another consignment from US within weeks
Tongan Customs officials have intercepted and seized six firearms and 12 cartons of ammunition hidden in a crate. Personal items have also been found in the consignment addressed to a 38-year-old Tongan woman from Halaleva, Tongatapu.
Body recovered after search for missing Laulea swimmer
A body has been recovered during the search for a man who was swimming this morning in the waters of one of Tongatapu’s most notorious beaches. Reports said the victim was visiting the village of Fātumu before the incident.
Manhunt for escaped prisoner in Tonga
Tongan authorities are asking for help in locating an inmate who escaped from Tongatapu’s Hu’atolitoli prison. A search operation is currently underway at Tofoa town. This has been confirmed to Kaniva News by the Tofoa town officer.
Death penalty for drugs to be debated on Tuesday as King calls for MPs to find solution
Parliament will host a debate on the death penalty next Tuesday morning, May 28. The debate is being sponsored by the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, and will discuss the topic ‘Capital punishment as a deterrent for illicit drug offences.’ The debate will be held at the Fale Alea ‘o Tonga chambers. It is open to members of the public, journalists and anybody concerned with the issue. It will feature policy makers, human rights advocates, public health experts, police and members of the community.
Parliament will host a debate on the death penalty next Tuesday morning, May 28.
Speaker Lord Fakafanua. Photo/Screenshot
The debate is being sponsored by the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, and will discuss the topic ‘Capital punishment as a deterrent for illicit drug offences.’
The debate will be held at the Fale Alea ‘o Tonga chambers. It is open to members of the public, journalists and anybody concerned with the issue.
It will feature policy makers, human rights advocates, public health experts, police and members of the community.
A press release from Parliament said the debate was important for determining the future of Tonga’s policies on dealing with illicit drugs.
King’s concern
King Tupou VI recently expressed his grave concern at the level of the illicit drugs crisis that has infiltrated every part of society, from villages, schools, and the government.
His Majesty pleaded with all MPs to share the tragedy with their constituents and see if they could come up with better solutions.
The Australian government has announced an $800 million project which will give it major oversight of policing in the Pacific region including Tonga.
Australian officials have also been working on an initiative in Fiji as the country struggles with a meth epidemic threatening societal collapse.
Death penalty vote
In 2004, the Tongan Parliament voted 10-7 against a bill to introduce the death penalty for possession of illicit drugs.
In 2021 Lord Fakafanua introduced the Illicit Drugs Control (Amendment) Bill to Parliament. It would have made the death penalty an option for drug offences elating to minors and importing or exporting more than five kilogrammes of a Class A drug.
In an interview at the time with the ABC’s Pacific Beat, Lord Fakafanua said the change was needed to tackle Tonga’s worsening drug abuse problem. He claimed 60 per cent of admissions to mental health wards were caused by drugs.
“We’re seeing child labour being paid for with drugs, we’re seeing prostitution by spouses and mothers, and fathers prostituting their children,” he said.
“We’re seeing child abuse and also broken families. And then … a rise in crime because people have to turn to crime if they [are] unemployed, to fund their addiction.
“These were completely unheard of before drugs was at play.”
Matangi Tonga reported that the bill was the subject of “vociferous debate.” Pacific Beat reported that most MPs did not support the push for capital punishment and instead voted in favour of sentencing the worst drug offenders to life in prison.
Death penalty
In 2019 Kaniva News reported that Tonga had been urged to abolish the death penalty.
The last execution in Tonga was in 1982 when three brothers were hung for killing a young man.
The call came from the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, which was marking its 17th anniversary. During events to mark the occasion the Australian and New Zealand High Commissioners spoke out against the death penalty.
For more information
Bill tabled in Tongan Parliament to bring in death penalty for serious drug offences
A body has been recovered during the search for a Veitongo man who was swimming this morning in the waters of one of Tongatapu’s most notorious beaches.
Reports said the victim was visiting the village of Fātumu before the incident.
Photos shared on social media appeared to show Police attended the scene at Laulea beach.
The recovery operation comes after a Police officer died at the same beach in January.
As Kaniva News reported at the time Selomiti Tufui was working at the Mu’a Police Station until her tragic passing on New Year’s Day.
Laulea beach is one of the most dangerous places in Tonga to go swimming due to powerful rip currents and waves that are known to sweep people out to sea.
In 2018 Viliami Vaka’uta, 24, was presumed dead after he attempted to save her wife in the water.
‘Inoke Mapaleve Mo’unga, 32, of Kolonga drowned at the beach after visiting there with his wife and friends.
In 2012 Catholic priest, Father Mikaele Mateo , 37, died at Laulea Beach while helping to rescue his five young nephews who were swept out to open sea by the strong currents.
Tongan Customs officials have intercepted and seized six firearms and 12 cartons of ammunition hidden in a crate.
Personal items have also been found in the consignment addressed to a 38-year-old Tongan woman from Halaleva, Tongatapu.
The Ministry of Revenue and Customs said the illicit goods were intercepted and seized during a Customs routine inspection operation.
“The consignment originated from the United States of America.”
Investigations with the help of Tonga Police are ongoing.
It comes after Customs officials and the Police seized 137.36g of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia as well as personal items found in a crate consigned to a 45 year old Tongan woman from Kolofo’ou, Tongatapu last month.
In that seizure, the Customs officials said: “The illicit drugs were intercepted on Thursday 4 April, after Customs inspections using X-ray scanners detected substances inside two resealed Coffeemate containers”, the Ministry of Customs said in a statement.
By Kelly Makiha of Rotorua Daily Posts. This story appeared on the New Zealand Herald.
Friends say it was not uncommon for Tui Siufanga to end the day with a warm soak in a natural hot pool at Rotorua’s Sulphur Point.
Tui Siufanga died in an area on Hatupatu Drive, Rotorua. Photo / Facebook
His constant companion, a pet dog he adored, was usually not too far away.
Two weeks ago, Siufanga was found dead in the area.
The Rotorua Daily Post understands the man, who has been described as a “quiet bloke” known to sleep rough at times, was found in a hot pool.
In response to Rotorua Daily Post questions, a police media spokesperson would not reveal details about the circumstances of Siufanga’s death other than to say he was found dead in an area on Hatupatu Drive in central Rotorua about 10am on May 11.
The spokesperson said the death was not suspicious and any details would be revealed as part of a coroner’s finding.
Siufanga’s death has sparked concern among those who knew him about the potential dangers of people ignoring warnings and continuing to soak in the natural hot pools at Sulphur Point.
It is the same area where another Rotorua man, James Taikato, was found dead in November 2020.
A coroner ruled Taikato’s death was caused by accidental hydrogen sulphide poisoning, not drowning.
Coroner Louella Dunn recommended in her finding on Taikato’s death, released last year, additional signage should be erected in the area that included the danger of bathing alone and that high levels of hydrogen sulphide inhalation could cause fatigue, dizziness, delirium, nausea, loss of consciousness and death.
She said in her finding hydrogen sulphide was a colourless gas and it might irritate eyes and the respiratory system.
Dunn said it was clear inhaling high quantities could produce rapid unconsciousness and ultimately death.
‘It’s a nice, warm spot’
News of Siufanga’s death has saddened a former rough sleeper and those who work with homeless people in Rotorua. They have paid tribute to Siufanga, saying he was a “loner” who liked to ride his bike and hang out with his dog.
Percy Poharama, who helps feed those in need five nights a week from the Papatuanuku Support Services site on Hinemoa St, said Siufanga often used the same pool as Taikato did because rough sleepers considered it the spot to go.
“But the pool turns and becomes toxic. But they don’t worry, they sit in there and have a few ales. These guys haven’t got much. Going down and having a soak is as good as it gets. It’s a nice, warm spot.”
Poharama said Siufanga was known for always having his dog with him and being on his bike. He said sometimes he would use his dog as a “tow engine” by putting a rope on his handlebars and getting the dog, which similar in breed to an Alsatian or German shepherd, to pull him along.
“Tui was a real quiet bloke. We used to talk a lot in general about his life … He kept to himself. Butter was his favourite thing … He would come in and I would grab him some butter because we know how expensive that is.”
A former “streetie”, who did not want to be named because he was now in housing, said he knew Siufanga because he used to stay nearby at EJ’s Dormitel on Victoria St. He said Siufanga would take his dog everywhere.
“I invited him back here a few times to drink with me but nah, he always just went back home. I even offered him a sesh [to join him to smoke cannabis] heaps of times but he don’t smoke the green. Anyone would think he did with those big fat natty locks of his. To me he always seemed cool and mellow and just always doing his own thing.”
The former streetie said he understood Siufanga kept getting into trouble because his dog was unregistered and he reluctantly gave his dog to a family member for a period.
“Poor fellow was rolling by himself for a few months until he turned up at the Bottle-O one night with his kuri [dog]. I said ‘oh, chur brother you finally got him back’.”
The former streetie said he was unsure if that meant Siufanga had got the dog registered.
A police spokesman said next of kin had been advised of Siufanga’s death and the dog had been uplifted by Rotorua Animal Control.
The Rotorua Daily Post has attempted to reach Siufanga’s family for comment.
A Rotorua homeless man, who said he did not want his name published, said he knew Siufanga and his death was sad.
“I always saw him around with his dog.”
He said he and others on the streets had been talking about him and they had heard he had died in a hot pool.
EJ’s Dormitel owner Emilyn Dubouzet told the Rotorua Daily Post that Siufanga had lived at her complex as a tenant but she could not remember when and for how long.
She said he had his dog in his room, even though he was not supposed to.
“He could be a handful but he was okay. It’s supposed to be no dogs here. You just navigate with whatever you can and you learn to make the most of the situation.
“I try to give them love and care. That is what they need.”
What the council says
Rotorua Lakes Council community and district development group manager Jean-Paul Gaston said in response to Rotorua Daily Post questions Safe City Guardians regularly patrolled inner city geothermal parks and reserves.
Recent work completed in the Sulphur Point area included new walkways and bridges, as well as additional and replacement fencing built – including in the area where the death occurred, Gaston said.
“The pathway running past this area is fenced on both sides and there is signage warning people to stay on the path and of the specific risks of geothermal features.”
Gaston urged anyone who saw people within fenced areas, or in pools in parks and reserves, to contact the council immediately.
He said if guardians saw people sleeping rough they advised about the dangers associated with active geothermal areas and offered to help connect them to support services.
“People found camping in public parks and reserves that are not designated for this can be trespassed but that’s a last resort. If advised they could be trespassed most leave of their own accord but some will still eventually return.”
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.
