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Cocker’s denial of Lulutai sale plan reveals ongoing inconsistency between Chief Secretary and PM’s statements  to the media and public   

By
Kalino Latu
-

Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet Edgar Cocker has vehemently denied reports the government is planning to sell the Lulutai airlines to a private company after we reported the Prime Minister said the airline was available for sale.

Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa and Chief Secretary Edgar Cocker. Photo/Kalino Lātu (Kaniva Tonga)

Cocker described the reports as a dreaming while sleeping “mohe misi” and wishful thinking “fakatuputupulangi”, the Kakalu ‘O Tonga newspaper reported.

He said he was the one who was in charge of the Lulutai airlines and anybody who wanted anything regarding it must come through him.

Absolute conflict

His denial was in absolute conflict with what we have seen in e-mails that appear to have been between interim Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa and a Fly Niu airline spokesperson Semi Halanukonuka.

In an e-mail in Tongan purportedly sent from Tu’i’onetoa to Halanukonuka on November 2, 2021, seen by Kaniva News, the Prime Minister confirmed to Halanukonuka that if the Fly Niu airlines wanted to buy Lulutai that was the best option.

He said if Fly Niu could take over the airline the government would cease its involvement.

He also told  Halanukonuka that it would not matter if his government was replaced after the general election.

Tu’i’onetoa said what the government was looking for was a buyer who could operate the airline successfully, unlike all previous failed operators who went bankrupt. He also mentioned in his email that he had previously asked Fly Niu to send him its business plan.

In Tongan the Prime Minister wrote:

“Pea ko e taha kapau te mou fakatau a e Lulutai ka mau malolo mautolu ko e toe sai taha ia. ‘oku ikai ke matter ia pe kohai oku government he koe service eni ia oku essential ki he fonua. Ko e me’a tepuu ha taha te ne fakalele pea vakai atu a e pule’anga ‘e ikai toe bankrupt o hange koe all others ka e safe and secure a e services. Koe uhinga pe ia na’a ku kole atu ai a e business plan ke vakai kiai a e government”.

Tu’i’onetoa said the history of airlines operated by Tongans showed no operators made any profits out of it.

In-principle agreement 

As Kaniva News reported last month, the government has reached an in-principle agreement to sell the national airlines to the privately-owned Fly Niu airlines.

We said the agreement was subject to an assessment of the Fly Niu proposal by the new government.

Halanukonuka told us at the time they were working to fulfil what Tu’i’onetoa wanted to process their purchase application.

Last year, Cocker publicly supported statements by the Prime Minister regarding the appointment and sacking of Lulutai’s CEO, which were later called into question by documentary evidence.

When asked by Kaniva News whether former Lulutai CEO Maikolo Faasolo had held the position, Cocker said no. When e-mailed the copy of the contract which showed Fa’asolo was indeed the CEO of Lulutai before he was forced to resign, Cocker said nothing.

Cocker and Tu’i’onetoa muddles

There have been growing concerns over the Prime Minister and his Chief Secretary  providing conflicting statements to the public.

In October, the Prime Minister’s office told the media in a press release the Government had  approved a major upgrade for the Vava’u international airport.

It said the proposed US$121 million project would be led by a registered British company known as Raw Mana Ltd. It said Raw Mana’s involvement had been referred to the Tongan Government.

However, the following day, Cocker told local Matangi Tonga Online  that a full proposal has not been received and that the Prime Minister’s office’s press release did not mean that Government had granted approval for the Raw Mana Ltd to undertake the project.

The following week, Tu’i’onetoa corrected Cocker during his Radio FM 87.5  official livestream show. Tu’i’onetoa said his office’s press release still stood and whenever His Majesty was informed of such important event there was no need to change such information.

Cabinet decision

In 2019 the Prime Minister corrected a Cabinet decision signed by Cocker which was leaked to media.

The resolution was meant to revoke a decision to allow a public consultation on growing hemp in Tonga, but the wording included the phrase “approved as amended”.

When Kaniva asked Cocker for clarification he insisted the wording  “approved as amended” meant the consultation application was rejected by Cabinet. We insisted that the phrase “approved as amended” could mean it was approved.

Tu’i’onetoa later said the wording of the cabinet decision was vague.

He said it should either said it was “deferred” or “not approved.”

We recently reported that Cocker was involved in an encounter with Prince Tu’ipelehake in a bar in which he was shown in a video to have fallen to the floor. When we asked Cocker for his version of the incident, he said he had been praying and was asking the Prince to kneel down so they could pray together.

Cocker’s version of events appeared to contradict the evidence of the video and reports by witnesses on news and social media.

OP-ED: Tu’i’onetoa’s sudden drop out of premiership race should compel kingmaker noble MPs to elect the popular premiership candidate

By
Kalino Latu
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OP-ED The withdrawal of interim Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa from the premiership race because of an apparent lack of support from MPs could be the biggest upset in Tonga’s parliamentary election history.

Dr Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa. Photo/Kalino Lātū

It came after his election on November 18 and his return to Parliament filled his supporters with pride.

But now there has been sudden change of mood and a lot of disappointment among his supporters, mainly because his promises of more economic and social developments in his constituency if he was given a further term as PM did not happen.

The fall of Tu’i’onetoa

The fall of Tu’i’onetoa could be a clear sign of his unpopularity in terms of his failed leadership and his controversial, biased development and economic policies and unfair distribution of the country’s opportunity and wealth.

He played peacemaker and pretended that he could treat everybody equally under his call for unity “counting two as one policy” but he did not. In most of his public statements, especially in the lead up to the November election Tu’i’onetoa’s credibility and integrity were seriously called into questions because of what his critics described as misleading and unfounded information used by the religious leader to attack opposition MPs and the Democrats.

He appeared to have twisted the truth about the raft of controversial bills pushed by the late ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s government to look as if it was an attempt by the Democrats to dethrone the king while in fact the bills were based on the Pursglove report which was endorsed in 2014 by the Lord Tu’ivakanō government but never implemented.

Fear the history might repeat 

The shocking and unexpected dumping of Tu’i’onetoa by all his interim Cabinet Ministers except for Niua MP Vātau Hui in the premiership contest should be the perfect indication of his shortcomings. It appeared his Ministers were just working silently without questioning his leadership before the November election, but they did not accept his ways.

Tu’i’onetoa was the first Prime Minister since the political reform of 2010 to have publicly announced his desire to take revenge on his political enemies and allies as well as their constituents by excluding them from the government’s development and economic policies.

There was fear that Tu’ionetoa’s support for a Dr ‘Aisake Eke’s government could continue to promote this type of unacceptable and unpopular precept.

Nobility must be fair

If the support for the premiership candidates stood as it was today, December 12, with 11 MPs in total for Interim Education Minister Siaosi Sovaleni and six MPs supporting Dr ‘Aisake Eke than the potential winner would be Sovaleni.

However, the majority rule votes for Sovaleni faces a formidable hurdle – the nine minority elected nobility MPs’ votes must decide the winner. The Nobles must choose which candidate to support to give him the 14 votes necessary for victory.

No longer a secret ballot

In the previous premiership elections, the MPs’ supports for the candidates were not made public until the results of the secret ballots were announced. But this year it was different because Sovaleni had already revealed the MPs who were supporting him before the election day. He should be credited for making such a milestone contribution to Tonga’s endeavour to uphold transparency amid its very new and complicated system of democracy.

The Noble MPs must do the decent thing by either abstaining from voting to allow a people’s majority rule to elect the new prime minister or they must vote for the candidate with the support of the most MPs.

It is the rule of the majority and the rights of the minority that are the core values of democracy.

Former Tongan deputy principal laid to rest: ‘No doubt we will feel the loss’, says Auckland’s McAuley HS tribute

By
Kaniva Staff
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 The body of a beloved Tongan teacher who taught at McAuley High School in Ōtāhuhu, Auckland was laid to rest at Manukau Memorial Gardens yesterday December 11.

Soane Malia Kauhalaniua (R) and wife Soana. Photo/Supplied

Soane Malia Kauhalaniua, 49, died after being recently diagnosed with lung cancer.

He was described as “very active” and “one of the fathers of the school”. He had previously taught at ‘Apifo’ou College in Tonga and became the school’s deputy principal.

“It is with great sadness that our school whānau announces that our dear friend, brother, teacher and colleague, Soane Malia Kauhalaniua, has gone to God yesterday morning after a short battle with lung cancer,” says a tribute by the McAuley High School which was posted to Facebook shortly after Kauhalaniua’s death.

Kauhalaniua arrived in Auckland with his family before teaching at the school. He  headed the accounting department over the last few years.

“Some notable highlights over the last couple of years include Soane composing our most recent tau’olunga for the Tongan group in 2020; preparing our students, together with his wife Mrs Soana Kauhalaniua, to take their sacraments this year; and the passionate lectures he would give to his classes and the Tongan students about living out our faith and cultural values at school and making the most of every opportunity McAuley had to offer them”, the school said in its tribute.

“Soane embodied Tongan values in his everyday life. He lived a life of service, not only in our McAuley community but also in the Catholic community in Tonga and at his parish of St Luke’s, Flat Bush.

There is no doubt we will feel the loss of Soane, a man who gladly shared his gifts and talents with us, often rocking a tupenu and boat shoes, accompanied by his guitar”.

Kauhalaniua is survived by his wife Soana and their two daughters and a grandson.

ANALYSIS: Will government led by Dr Eke be another version of former PM Tu’i’onetoa’s contentious administration?

By
Kalino Latu
-

ANALYSIS The most popular and widely discussed topic among Tongans online is who should be Tonga’s next new Prime Minister.

The debate heated up after it was confirmed only two candidates are now contesting the premiership after interim Prime Minister Pohivia Tu’i’onetoa pulled out when there were doubts over whether he could find enough support to nominate and support him as a candidate.

Dr ‘Aisake Eke. Photo/Tonga Broadcasting Commission (Facebook)

The only two candidates now are the interim Minister of Education Siaosi Sovaleni and returned Minister of Finance and MP Dr ‘Aisake Eke.

It is understood Dr Tu’i’onetoa was supporting Dr Eke with four other MPs while 10 MPs gave their support to Sovaleni.

Binding patterns

In the latest twist we can see what appears to be patterns of binding cultural, administrative and political connections between Tu’i’onetoa and Dr Eke.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa promoted the culture of faka-Toloa while being the Prime Minister, the culture of seniority at high schools in which the young students were taught to respect the older ones wherever they were even when they were not at school. Dr Eke and Dr Tu’i’onetoa went to Toloa, also known as Tupou College, where Dr Tui’i’onetoa was older than Dr Eke.

In the lead up to the November election  Dr Tu’i’onetoa told Radio FM 87.5 he and former Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva had a fall out after he sued late ‘Akilisi while he was the Opposition Leader. He said later on ‘Akilisi asked him to run as a candidate from Tongatapu 10 for ‘Akilisi’s PTOA Party. Tu’i’onetoa said he accepted ‘Akilisi’s request because that’s how the culture of faka-Toloa came into play. Whenever the seniors told them what to do they did it.  ‘Akilisi was at Tupou College and he was older than Tu’i’onetoa.

This high school cultural practice was common to all high schools in Tonga and it was treated seriously by some schools, including Tonga College known as ‘Atele. It was the young ex-students’ proud boast that they obeyed what the older alumni wanted them to do no matter what.

The Tonga Power Board saga

Dr Tu’i’onetoa appointed Dr Eke as the new chairman of the Tonga Power Board. After Kaniva News reported in July that Dr Eke did not tell the truth in court after he stood witness in the Lavulavu fraud hearings, the former Tonga Power Board CEO John Chapman demanded  Dr Eke tender his resignation.

Chapman told Dr Eke  the judge’s comment was ”reflective of poor leadership and that, I have experienced under your Chairmanship”. Dr Eke refused to resign.

However, two days after Chapman demanded Dr Eke’s resignation, Dr Tu’i’onetoa threatened to fire Chapman as director.

Interestingly, Tu’i’onetoa’s letter to Chapman on June 11, 2021, raised issues from previous years, including a claim that  Chapman had failed to advise the TPL Board about the Trust’s decision on December 17, 2020.

After the e-mails between the Prime Minister and Chapman were leaked to media the Prime Minister remarkably changed his tune.

Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa. Photo/Kalino Lātū (Kaniva Tonga)

In a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office the following day, Tu’i’onetoa said Chapman had asked to resign for personal reasons due to his intended overseas travel to his family.

Tu’i’onetoa and Eke vs Lavulavu saga

Tu’i’onetoa was heavily criticised for his repeated refusal to do something against Lavulavu from when she appeared in court up to her sentencing. The other person who strongly supported the Lavulavus in court was Dr Eke.

What was common in Dr Eke and Dr Tu’ionetoa’s support for the Lavulavus was that they both appeared to have criticised the presiding judge after he sentenced the couple.

In an e-mail to Kaniva News Tu’i’onetoa likened the judge’s decision to the script in the Holy Bible which said no one was perfect but only God.

After the judge’s remarks saying that Dr  Eke “was not desirous of telling the truth” Dr Eke told the media he stood by his statements.

Tu’i’onetoa’s punishment policy

Tu’ionetoa is said to have been chosen as Minister of Finance if Dr Eke is elected Prime Minister. It could be that his withdrawal from the premiership election and support for Dr Eke comes with a high price we will discover later.

However, there is a highly possible scenario in which, if Dr Eke becomes Tonga’s new Prime Minister, he will deliver the same controversial policies created by the Tu’i’onetoa government.

This might include Tu’i’onetoa’s policy of penalising those MPs who did not vote for him in the premiership election by excluding their constituencies from the government’s development projects such as roading, providing water supplies, building new wharves, building new weaving houses and sealing of roads with tar.

It could also include the Tu’i’onetoa policy of offering the government multi-million pa’anga contracts to only government and family members with close ties to the government. This would be a breach of the government law about conflict of interest.

Malia Li jailed after leaving disabled husband to die in his own waste

By
Kaniva Staff
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The Tongan woman who was found guilty after leaving her disabled husband to die in his own waste has been jailed for five years and seven month’s imprisonment. 

Malia ‘Unalotokipea Li (L), Lanitola ‘Epenisa (inset). Photo/Supplied

In  October  2 2016, the ambulance officers arrived at the victim’s Mangere home and confirmed that the prisoner’s husband Lanitola ‘Epenisa was dead. The police were then notified. ‘Epenisa’s body  was found in the La-Z-Boy chair in the bedroom. 

The police conducted a preliminary examination. They smelt urine and faeces in the bedroom, the court was told.  They observed a stench of urine and decay when they moved a mat on the floor and a wet stain on the floor. A mouse ran out of the La-Z-Boy chair when it was moved. 

In sentencing Li Justice Wylie said the family at the time was impoverished. Li and his  husband and their two daughters shared the same bedroom in the Kivell Close house. There were others living in the house and still more people living in the garage. The house was poorly maintained. 

Li wrote  a heartfelt letter to the judge and  expressed remorse. 

The judge said: “You accept full responsibility for your actions and tell me that you accept in full the jury’s verdict. You ask for forgiveness”. 

Justice Wylie recognised Li’s remorse and took time off her sentence for her health conditions and recognition that prison would be particularly difficult for her. 

Drug smuggling bust: Six Air New Zealand workers, three King Cobra members charged

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz

Police say Auckland Airport has been targeted by a syndicate smuggling drugs from the United States into New Zealand.

Operation Selena seizures: (from top left, clockwise) Meth hidden in a container from Tonga to Auckland, firearms seized in relation to investigation on smuggling from Tonga, cash and firearm seized after investigation into smuggling from Malaysia, meth disguised as taro and cassava.
Operation Selena seizures: (from top left, clockwise) Meth hidden in a container from Tonga to Auckland, firearms seized in relation to investigation on smuggling from Tonga, cash and firearm seized after investigation into smuggling from Malaysia, meth disguised as taro and cassava. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

Fourteen people, including six baggage handlers working for Air New Zealand and three King Cobra gang members, have been charged today after a six-month joint operation with Customs.

Authorities confiscated 45kg of meth and three firearms in relation to the latest arrests.

Detective Inspector Paul Newman said they suspect unchecked items were placed onto aircraft flying from Los Angeles to Auckland.

Police suspect the unchecked items were removed from the cargo holds by offenders who bypassed security.

They believe the syndicate has been smuggling drugs from LA since the start of this year and have allegedly conspired to import more than 100kg of methamphetamine.

Today police carried out 19 search warrants, resulting in the 14 arrests and seizure of millions of dollars in assets, including two Auckland properties and bank accounts, as well as small quantities of methamphetamine.

The 14 people charged with importing, conspiring to import and possessing to supply methamphetamine are due to appear in the Auckland District Court.

How the operation unfolded

Detective Inspector Paul said an intelligence operation into “insider threats” at the airport began early last year, which resulted in four baggage handlers charged in relation to smuggling 20kg of meth into Auckland from Los Angeles Airport.

It became the genesis for Operation Selena in June this year, which tracked down smuggling from Tonga, Malaysia and the USA.

In August 2021, five people were arrested after a container from Tonga to the Ports of Auckland was found with 30kg of methamphetamine, which was packed and disguised as taro and cassava.

Two of those charged were King Cobra gang members and another two allegedly either worked at, or transported containers from, the Port of Auckland, police said.

Two firearms were also seized during search warrants along with $20,000 in cash.

Last month, police said 14 people, including six baggage handlers, were arrested in relation to a criminal syndicate headed by King Cobra members allegedly smuggling or conspiring to smuggle nearly 500kg of methamphetamine into Auckland Airport from Malaysia.

A smuggling attempt of 200kg of methamphetamine was intercepted at the Malaysian border in October 2021.

Police said through their investigation they discovered links between syndicate members, and some of the people who were charged today were already facing charges.

Tightening security to prevent ‘corrupt insiders’

Detective Inspector Paul Newman said they have been working with Air New Zealand over the course of the investigation.

“This type of offending is highly concerning not only because of the harm the drugs cause when they enter our communities, but because the ability to place unchecked items onto aircraft threatens the integrity and security of air travel.”

Newman said they were also working with “offshore partners” to help tighten security.

Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer David Morgan said the airline had zero tolerance for such offending.

“We will also continue to encourage and support all our employees to do the right thing and report any suspicious behaviour.”

Customs intelligence manager Bruce Berry said the investigation showed how offenders tried to manipulate the trade supply chain by recruiting insiders.

“We continue to work closely with industry, including across airports and ports who have been very cooperative with such investigations.”

US Homeland Security Investigations Attaché to Oceania Adam Parks said these arrests showed the “threat posed by corrupt insiders” within trade and travel systems.

Tongan RSE worker dies after absconding in Auckland 

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A Tongan man who arrived in New Zealand as a Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) worker has died after he suffered from what appeared to be an incurable disease, a source who asked to be anonymous said. 

The man is believed to have long absconded from his RSE employer and was known to have lived in Auckland before his death.  

It is understood the man was hospitalised for his medical condition at Auckland’s Middlemore hospital.

We chose not to release his identity at this stage until his family could be reached for comment. 

The news came after 66 Tongan RSE workers have absconded from their workplaces in apparent breach of their contract agreements and work permits. 

The New Zealand government had previously called for better vetting for the scheme after a number of  Tongan workers were previously sent home after absconding from their employers.  

In 2017, we reported that two Tongan workers disappeared with a company vehicle before being discovered in Auckland and sent home.

Despite Tonga’s failure to fulfil New Zealand’s demands to return its hundreds of RSE workers being stuck in the country because of the Covid restrictions, the Ardern Government had recently announced that RSE workers from Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu would travel to New Zealand without undergoing a two-week stay in managed isolation.

Police make public appeal for help to find missing man Atonio Finau for three weeks

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police continue to appeal for help from the public to find 65-year-old Otahuhu man Atonio Finau.

Atonio Finau. Photo/Supplied

The family of Mr Finau have not heard from him since the 16 November, and have concerns for his welfare.

Police were notified last week and despite a number of enquiries being carried out, his whereabouts remains unknown.
Mr Finau was last known to be in the Laingholm and New Lynn areas.
The photo of Mr Finau sitting shows the clothing he was last known to be wearing.

The photo of Mr Finau sitting shows the clothing he was last known to be wearing.

If anyone knows where he is, or has information that may help find him, we ask them to please call Police on 105 and quote file number 211203/4366.

First photo emerges as Sovaleni gets support of 11 MPs; Tu‘i’onetoa allegedly withdraws from premiership race 

By
Kalino Latu
-

Premiership candidate Siaosi Sovaleni’s faction has confirmed this evening they have 12 MPs altogether in the lead up to the election of the Prime Minister-designate. 

Interim Education Minister Sovaleni, Interim Minister of Justice Samiu Vaipulu, Ha’apai Governor Viliami Manuopangai, MP Sevenitini Toumo’ua, MP Sangster Saulala, MP Dr Saia Piukala, Interim MEIDECC Minister Poasi Tei, MP Tevita Pulokai, MP Dr Viliami Latu and Interim Minister of Labour and Economic Development Tatafu Moeaki. Photo/ MP Tevita Fatafehi Puloka (Facebook)

They provisionally only need two MPs before winning the election without the support of the nobility MPs. 

The faction met in Kolomotu’a today before the statement was posted to Facebook by Tongatapu 1 MP Tevita Fatafehi Puloka. 

The post was accompanied by a photo which appeared to show 10 MPs including Interim Education Minister Sovaleni, Interim Minister of Justice Samiu Vaipulu, Ha’apai Governor Viliami Manuopangai, MP Sevenitini Toumo’ua, MP Sangster Saulala, MP Dr Saia Piukala, Interim MEIDECC Minister  Poasi Tei, MP Tevita Puloka, MP Dr Viliami Latu and Interim Minister of Labour and Economic Development Tatafu Moeaki. 

The post also said two MPs missing from the photo were MP Semisi Fakahau and MP Veivosa Taka. 

“It’s clear 12 MPs are supporting Siaosi Sovaleni to become the Prime Minister”, the post read in Tongan. 

“MPs in the photos attend our meeting at the Longoteki ‘A e Tangata ‘Isileli in which the total number of our members was confirmed. 

This group wishes that all other MPs join us so we can make just one group before we ask for the support of the chiefs”. 

Withdrawal 

Meanwhile, Interim Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa appeared to have pulled out of the election due to lack of supports for him, something which definitely affected the requirement by law for two other MPs to nominate and support him as a candidate, an anonymous newly elected MP told Kaniva. Tu’i’onetoa could not be reached for comment. 

As we reported yesterday, Tu’i’onetoa only got one support from the MPs, apparently MP Vatau Hui, after the rest of his interim ministers appeared to have left him in the lurch. 

Tu’i’onetoa was said to have joined premiership candidate Dr ‘Aisake Eke’s  bloc. Our source said Dr Eke’s group has the support of four MPs including Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi also known as Dr Pingi, Dr Taniela Fusimalohi, Dr Tu’i’onetoa and MP Vatau Hui. 

Rival MPs 

It is understood Dr Eke and Sovaleni’s rival groups were still contacting their rival MPs in an attempt to win their hearts before the Interim Speaker announced  the election date on December 14.  

It is also understood two MPs who attended Sovaleni’s meeting this afternoon told the faction they have been invited by Dr Eke’s group to join them.

ANALYSIS: Tonga in search for viable, credible PM; the best of best has yet to come

By
Kalino Latu
-

In the latest twist in the premiership election this week three serious candidates are now vying for the attention of the newly elected MPs.

Dr ‘Aisake Eke. Photo/Tonga Broadcasting Commission (Facebook)

We can now reveal that Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke is the third candidate who was picked by the third group of MPs on Friday.

The other two candidates are the interim Prime Minister Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa and his Interim Minister of Education Siaosi Sovaleni.

It appears that Sovaleni currently got the highest number of supports from the MPs which was eight (8), Dr Eke seven (7) and Dr Tu’i’onetoa only has the support of one MP including him making it two (2), an anonymous newly elected MP told Kaniva News. The source said it can be that some MPs could switch allegiance and join the other groups this week.

Unworkable system of democracy

Tonga’s unworkable system of democracy has been proven to fail to provide a fixed political apparatus that can allow a people’s majority rule to elect the Prime Minister. This time the election of the Prime Minister will definitely have to rely on the common sense and the discretion of all the MPs.

However, this means that the growing consensus to elect the best Prime Minister could be jeopardised by the MPs’ personal interests and allegiances.

Given the situation, the simplest way to choose the best candidate is not to vote for somebody who has done or been accused of doing anything wrong.

Dr Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa. Photo/Kalino Lātū (Kaniva Tonga)

Dr ‘Aisake Eke

Dr Eke’s arrival comes as a surprise to many, especially the fact he was supported by three of the MPs who held Doctorates of Philosophy in various academic fields. Discontent with his leadership has been swirling  within the public recently.  The former Minister of Finance’s involvement with jailed government minister Akosita Lavulavu and her husband ‘Etuate Lavulavu has tainted his record.

The presiding judge in the Lavulavu case said Dr Eke “was not desirous for the truth” and could not produce any evidence of what he was saying in court in support of the Lavulavus. Although Dr Eke responded publicly and denied what the judge had said his denial backfired against him with the Tonga Law Society accusing him of a possible contempt of court. The decent thing for Dr Eke to do is to appeal the judge’s comment through a preservation of his record application.

Dr Eke agreed  with Forbe’s magazine on 13 February 2015 to pay for the then Prime  Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s interview with the publication. He was later accused of failing to inform the Prime Minister that the government had to pay US$130,000  after the Prime Minister was interviewed on February 11, 2015.

He was also accused of failing to comply with the Cabinet’s rule of collective decision when he abstained from the vote of no confidence against ‘Akilisi Pohiva, leading to his forced resignation in 2017.  His Doctor of Philosophy which was based on his thesis “An exploratory study on the quality of service in the public sector in Tonga” was awarded by the University of Southern Queensland in 2013.

Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa

The Doctor of Ministry of Christianity was notorious for his development policies which have been described as being designed to mostly benefit his and Cabinet Ministers’ constituencies. He has been accused of repeatedly misleading the public and using of hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ money for his failed national fasting and prayer programme to protect Tonga from Covid pandemic. 

Minister of Education, Siaosi Sovaleni. Photo/Facebook

The Fellow of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Australia, and former Tonga Auditor General has been accused of abusing the media and  Opposition MPs, awarding of government multi-millions contracts to companies with strong government and close family ties as well as refusing for months to deal with his jailed Cabinet Minister Akosita Lavulavu. 

Siaosi Sovaleni

The former dux of Tonga’s top High School, Tonga High School and Masters degree at Oxford and an MBA at the University of the South Pacific awardee was dismissed, along with former Minister of Finance Tevita Lavemaau, in 2017.

The then Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva was disappointed with the duo after they were allegedly involved in a conspiracy which led to King Tupou VI’s decision to dissolve Parliament and order a fresh general election that November.

However, Lord Tu’ivakanō who advised the king to dissolve the House,  denied that Sovaleni and Lavemaau knew in advance about the plan to dismiss Parliament.

Before their dismissal, Sovaleni and Lavemaau proposed to the Cabinet that TOP$60,000 be allocated to help fund the preparations for the opening ceremony of the St George Palace in 2017. The Cabinet declined the proposal but Lavemaau went ahead and instead of approving $60,000 he approved $80,000.

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