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Online community rallies behind Tongatapu family who lost a house to fire

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tongan online community was rallying around a family after their home went up in flames over the weekend in Koloua ‘O Kolomotu’a, Tofoa.

The details of the fire and its cause were still unknown.

Witnesses said it was just about 9pm on Monday when members of a kava club from across the road noticed the fire erupted in the house.

No injuries reported in the house fire.

Fire crews arrived, but couldn’t save the inside of the home and their belongings from destruction.

However they were able to save part of the property, which were belonged to Hei and Siaosi Hafoka.

It is understood the family now lived in that part of the building.

“Wow so sad prayers for the family. Whose property is this?” a commenter said on Facebook.

“Oh poor family,” another wrote.

The Fire Service had been contacted for comment.

Folau sick and tired of multiple Bledisloe Cup defeats

By
Kaniva Staff
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By Tom Decent (Sydney Morning Herald)

Wallabies star Israel Folau admits he is sick and tired of losing the Bledisloe Cup year after year but believes foundations built late last year have put Australia in a strong position to strike the first blow in Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener in Sydney.

Folau has been through five Bledisloe series defeats since making his debut in 2013 and is over watching New Zealand’s dominance that stretches back to 2003 in rugby’s most famous rivalry.

“It’s been a pretty tough time when it comes to this time of year,” Folau said. “It’s something as players you really get sick of being on the losing end of things … it’s not rocket science that you definitely want to win it.”

Words mean nothing come kick-off on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium but constantly being beaten by the Kiwis is not something that sits well with the Australians.

Jubilation on the faces of Wallabies players after their tense 23-18 victory over the All Blacks in October was a telling reminder of just how much it meant to them, even if the third and final fixture was a dead rubber.

The All Blacks haven’t forgotten that evening at Suncorp Stadium, in particular their coach Steve Hansen. He might be living in fantasy land by saying the Wallabies are favourites for this all-important first match but Michael Cheika’s men did show a big improvement in Brisbane compared to the horrendous rugby they dished up in Sydney this time last year.

“Off the back of last year, I thought we built a really good foundation within our team internally,” Folau said. “We came so close there in the second game and we managed to get the win in the third one … but I think that was just a good taste of the potential that the team can fulfil.

“I feel the guys can take a lot of learnings out of that and go into this week really confident that we can put our best foot forward.”

After speculation Folau might move away from the No.15 jersey he has made his own, he all but confirmed on Tuesday he would stay at fullback.

Cheika will officially name his Wallabies team on Thursday but players are usually told on the Tuesday of a Test week whether or not they will be in the starting XV.

“I’ve been training at fullback … I haven’t been training anywhere else,” Folau said. “Whatever decisions that Cheik makes, it’s best for the team, but I don’t see myself playing any other position other than 15.”

Folau was pressed on a Fairfax Media column written last week by Wallabies great Matt Burke that said the 29-year-old was not yet a “great player” and had plenty of aspects of his game to work on.

Coming from arguably Australian rugby’s greatest fullback, one would expect Burke’s comments to rile Folau.

He certainly wasn’t letting on if they did before training on Tuesday, saying Burke was entitled to his opinion.

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that if he believes that,” Folau said. “From my point of view I’m always looking to get a lot better as a player and I never want to get comfortable. It’s no hard feelings towards anyone who says what they feel. It’s all part and parcel of what comes with it.

“It’s something I’ve kind of got used to over the last couple of years. It definitely doesn’t affect me in any kind of way.”

Speaking of not being affected by things, Folau has made it clear he won’t change his approach to aerial contests after being suspended by World Rugby for a dangerous challenge with Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony during the June series.

“I believe my technique is fair play,” Folau said. “I’ll attack the ball at every opportunity I get to try and win possession for the team. That mindset for myself won’t change.”

PI countries should collectively ask China to forgive their debts, says PM Pōhiva

By
Kaniva Staff
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SAMOA OBSERVER / PACNEWS

Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva has cautioned Pacific Island (PI) nations, saying they should “slow down” asking China for loans.

Speaking on the sidelines of the one-day Forum Foreign Ministers conference in Apia last Friday, the Prime Minister told Samoa Observer in an exclusive interview that the debts that Pacific Island states owed to China should be on the agenda at next month’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Summit in Nauru.

“Each of the Pacific Island (states) owes debts to the Chinese Government and this should be an issue on the agenda of the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting next month.

“This should be an issue where the Pacific leaders should dialogue and openly discuss ways to deviate from this predicament. We need to discuss the issue.

“All the Pacific Island countries should sign this submission asking the Chinese government to forgive their debts and to me that is the only way we can all move forward, if we just can’t pay off our debts,” he said.

Tonga reportedly owes the Chinese government US$160 million in debts and had its request for the deferral of the loan repayment or their conversion into grants knocked back by Beijing.

Pōhiva, during the interview, confirmed the stalemate with the Chinese government and revealed that they will start repaying the loan next month.

“Nonetheless, we will start paying the principals for the loans. By September, 2018, we anticipate to pay US$14million, which cuts away a huge part of our budget. We’re supposed to start paying last two years, but we couldn’t afford it, hence the delay and we will pay this year.”

The loan from the Exim Bank of China was used to rebuild Nukualofa after the riots in 2006. Pōhiva said Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu also have loans from China.

Speaking of the debt burden that his country currently faces, Pōhiva said he also raised it in a meeting with the Japanese ambassador.

“We’re supposed to start paying last two years, but we couldn’t afford it, hence the delay and we will pay this year.

“The debt burden is so much and I have met with the Japanese Ambassador who is very sympathetic with our situation. Even the Japanese government knows we cannot afford to pay the loans.

“And we have to find ways to comply and that is the cost of being so dependent on the donor partners to do the developments for small island states.”

Pacific Island nations have two options, says the Prime Minister, either they pay off their debts or the Chinese government extinguishes them.

“There are two options either we pay it or forget about it. And what I mean by that is have the Chinese Government forgive our loans.

“One issue for certain is that we don’t want the Chinese government to take the assets used as collateral for the loan, and when we don’t request for loans, we will not be aligned with the developments of the world it is today.”

Pōhiva said he is mindful of the consequences of defaulting in their loan repayment, which could see China claiming possession of state-owned assets such as buildings.

“If we fail to pay, the Chinese may come and take our assets, which are our buildings and that is why the only option is to sign a submission asking the Chinese Government to forgive our debts,” he said.

He said some lessons that could be learnt from the Chinese and Pacific nations loans controversy is for the funding recipient to begin debt servicing on time and avoid loans that the national budget will struggle to repay.

Kaniva News has a republication arrangement with PACNEWS

Electricity Commission dismissal, complaints, escalate into war of words on internet

By
Kalino Latu
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Complaints by dismissed Electricity Commissioner Interim CEO Paula Tupou have escalated into a war of words on the internet with the man who fired him, Finance Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa.

As Kaniva News reported, Hon Tu’i’onetoa terminated Tupou’s contract with the EC, claiming he was unable to perform his functions of the office of the Commission.

Hon Tu’i’onetoa complained that he had received too many e-mails from Tupou after he was sacked.

The Minister told Tupou he believed he was troubled by his dismissal and begged him to cool down.

The Minister told Tupou in an e-mail that he had complained about the appointment of outgoing lawyer Seinimili Tu’i’onetoa Fonua, claiming it was illegal, but said  Cabinet had the power to appoint her.

As we reported, the Minister of Finance said his appointment of his niece, Fonua, as a Commissioner of the Electricity Commission did not breach the government’s employment regulations.

However, Tupou rejected the Minister’s claims.

“You will not be tried by the Cabinet. You will be tried by a Judge according to Law not according to Cabinet decisions,” Tupou claimed.

Complaint to Ombudsman

Tupou has also lodged a formal complaint against Hon Tu’i’onetoa with the ombudsman.

He claimed the Minister breached the Public Service Act 2010 (Section 19), code of ethics and conduct for the public service rules by allowing Fonua to be a commissioner for more than nine months.

He claimed the Minister had the sole authority, according to the Act, to dismiss Electricity Commissioners for misconduct and he had failed to dismiss Fonua until what he claimed was her illegal employment was exposed in the media and forced her to resign on August 2.

For more information

New EC commissioners appointed; govt terminates Interim CEO Paula Tupou’s contract

Lawyer Fonua resigns amid PSC probe; EC complains to Tonga Law Society

Two at centre of probe into electricity body to face each other in court

Tonga strengthen efforts in the fight against financial crimes

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Office of the Attorney General has announced its preparation for the evaluation of Tonga’s legal framework to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The Attorney General’s Office wishes to announce that Government Ministries and Agencies are preparing for the evaluation of Tonga’s legal framework to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

This evaluation will be conducted by the regional body known as the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) in 2019/2020.

Tonga was a member of the Group since 2005.

This includes the Attorney General’s Office, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, Tonga Police, the Ministry of Revenue and Customs, the Ministry of Commerce, Consumption, Trade, Innovation and Labour, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tonga first underwent its first mutual evaluation in 2009/2010, and the APG adopted and published Tonga’s first mutual evaluation report in 2010.

Tonga will be assessed against the internationally accepted standards known as the

Financial Action Task Force’s 40 Recommendations on the International Standards for Combatting Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation, which were revised in 2012, and amended in 2017.

The assessment will involve two parts. First, Tonga’s technical compliance with the recommended international standards. This involves an assessment of Tonga’s legislation and institutional framework, and the powers and procedures of its competent authorites to implement the recoemmended international standards.

The second aspect of the evaluation, is an assessment of the effectiveness of Tonga implementing its legal framework to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism and proliferation in order to mitigate risks that exist within Tonga from money laundering, and terrorist and proliferation financing.

Tonga’s efforts will be led by the Cabinet Committee on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Activities that was established in 2003, and the preparation for the mutual evaluation will be jointly facilitated by the Attorney General’s Office and the National Reserve Bank of Tonga, and supported by the Ministry of Commerce, Consumers, Trade, Innovation and Labour, Ministry of Revenue and Customs, Tonga Police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Government Ministries and Agencies will also be partnering and relying on the critical support of financial institutions and cash dealers in their understanding and compliance with Tonga’s legal requirements on anti-money laundering and the financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

These include entities such as the commercial banks, money remitters, foreign exchange dealers, insurance companies, charitable trusts, lottery operators, real estate agents, precious metal dealers, lawyers, accountants, auditors, tax advisors, trusts and company service providers, and all entities covered under the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act.

The Secretariat of the APG will soon appoint experts from its Member countries to conduct the mutual evaluation of Tonga in 2019 and 2020. The assessors will visit Tonga

on a number of occasions to conduct the mutual evaluation, and will emet with both Governement and various private sector representatives to obtain relevant information for the evaluation.

The process is expected to end in July 2020 with the adoption of the Mutual Evalaution Report of Tonga during the APG Plenary meeting, and the subsequent publishing by the APG of that report in September 2020.

The mutual evaluation process is important for Tonga so that it maintains a good standing in international finance, and also establishes that Tonga has a strong reputation of effectively implementing its legal framework on combatting money laundering and the financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

If Tonga does not do well after the mutual evaluation, international finance with Tonga may be limited or abolished, because there will be decreased in credibility of Tonga in combatting these crimes of money laundering, terrrosim and proliferation, which may lead in a decrease of foreign investors investing in Tonga, or a decrease in the establishment of businesses for the employment of Tongans.

In the last APG Plenary meeting that was held in Kathmandu, Nepal on 21 to 27 July 2018, the mutual evaluation report of the Cook Islands was adopted, and it was accepted that the Cook Islands was compliant or largely compliant with 38 of the 40 recommendations. The Acting Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr ‘Aminiasi Kefu, was part of the assessment team that conducted the mutual evaluation of the Cook Islands in 2017/2018, together with five other assessors from Australia, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Peoples’Republic of China and Hong Kong China.

The mutual evaluation report of Vanuatu, which was adopted by the APG Plenary meeting in 2015, was also reviewed by the APG in Kathmandu, Nepal, and the APG Plenary meeting accepted that Vanuatu was compliant or largely compliant on 39 out of the 40 recommendations.

The adoption of the Cook Islands mutual evaluation report and the upgrading of the Vanuatu mutual evaluation report has placed these two Pacific Islands countries as two of the best in the world in implementing the international standards on combatting money laundering and the financing of terrorism and proliferation.

According to the Acting Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions the mutual evaluation will involve a lot of work, and so the collaboration and support of Government is required to amend the laws, policies and procedures within Government Minsitries and Agencies, and also the financial institutions and cash dealers, and so he called upon for all these entities to work together to deliver a good image of Tonga in this area.

No sign of Tonga in NZRL calendar says it all for fans still hoping for clash with Australia

By
Philip Cass
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Any Mate Ma’a supporters still hoping to see a Tonga-Australia game in Auckland only have to look the NZRL calendar to have their last hopes dashed.

New Zealand Rugby League’s online calendar  shows the Tuakana Maori rugby tournament on October 20, not the Tonga-Australia clash fans had hoped for.

Two days ago the Sydney Morning Herald claimed the NZRL was opposed a clash between the triumphant upstart Tongans and Australia in Auckland.

It blamed the New Zealand Rugby League for being lukewarm about the proposed match.

The Australian newspaper quoted NZRL boss Greg Peters as not being keen on a Tonga-Australian game because it would come a week after an all Blacks-Australia clash on October 13.

It said Peters denied the NZRL was snubbing the Tongans as payback for the New Zealand-based players, such as Jason Taumalolo, who opted to play for Mate Ma’a instead.

During its surge towards the semi-finals Tonga defeated New Zealand

“It’s the first time we’ve played Australia in New Zealand for four years,” Peters said.

“Other than the World Cup, we’ve had precious little [international rugby league] in our own market.”

Plans for a Tonga-Australia match first surfaced late last year when Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga gave his backing to a test in Hawai’i some time this year.

Australia’s Daily Telegraph reported at the time that negotiations were under way to stage the game in Honolulu’s 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium.

The Honolulu game never happened and over the weekend the Sydney Morning Herald said a decision on whether an Auckland game went ahead would be made in the next 48 hours.

The NZRL calendar appears to say it all.

For more information

New Zealand Rugby League torpedoes Australia-Tonga test in Auckland 

NZRL

MP Lavulavu says she still supports PM Pōhiva; she finally resigns

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Vava’u 16 MP ‘Akosita Lavulavu told Kaniva News she still supported Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva and PTOA Party despite the fact she was forced to resign in April.

The Prime Minister demanded MP Lavulavu’s resignation as Minister of Internal Affairs after Police charged her and her husband former Minister and MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu with three counts of obtaining by false pretences and three counts of knowingly dealing with forged documents.

MP ‘Akosita refused to resign citing constitutional rights in which she claimed the Prime Minister has no right to dismiss her because of her criminal charges.

In a letter to Hon Pōhiva on 18 June 2018 seen by Kaniva News MP ‘Akosita finally drew back and asked the Prime Minister to forgive her.

She said she still stands by the PTOA mission and slogan they used while campaigning during the 2017 snap election – “Te tau tu’u fakataha ka tau ikuna.” (We stand together so that we succeed)

She told the Prime Minister he has appointed MP Losaline Mā’asi to replace her and she has wholeheartedly supported the new Minister.

PM Pōhiva challenges Pacific Island leaders to lose weight

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva has challenged other Pacific Island leaders to participate in a year-long weight-loss challenge to set an example to their national communities.

Mr Pohiva told a local newspaper he would propose the competition when the leaders meet next month.

Ten of the islands sit at the top of the world obesity rate rankings.

On some, up to 90% of the population are overweight, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The region’s obesity epidemic has been blamed on traditional diets of fish and vegetables being shunned for processed food imports and fatty meat.

In the interview with the Samoan Observer, Mr Pohiva hit out at the regional failure to combat childhood obesity and diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

“[It] has everything to do with our eating habits and our lifestyle and it is complex issue when it comes to our Pacific people,” he told the newspaper.

“And with Pacific Island Leaders, we meet and talk and talk about this issue, yet initiatives on this issue is not making an impact, it doesn’t seem to work.”

He said he will propose the diet competition idea to his fellow leaders the annual Pacific Island Forum event held later this month.

“It is not about who loses the most kilos but in order to shake off the weight, you must eat light and having that healthy mentality will go a long way.

“Once the leaders are adapting to that mindset they would be determined to get their people on the same aspect and go from there,” Mr Pohiva told the newspaper.

  • BBC

Chinese hospital ship “more advanced” than Vaiola hospital, says Deputy Prime Minister

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister said the Chinese hospital ship which was welcomed at Vuna wharf was more advanced than Tonga’s main hospital.

Hon Sēmisi Sika and a delegation boarded the ship on Monday morning as part of a ceremony to mark the arrival of the Peace Ark in Nuku’alofa.

Hon Sika congratulated the Chinese government for the vessel’s Mission Harmony and the plans to include Tonga in its regional visits.

Hon Sika and the Chinese Ambassador HE Wang Baodong spoke during the welcoming event.

Mr. Wang said: “Over the past 20 years since China and Tonga established diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have maintained constant development with deepening exchanges and increasing cooperation in various fields which have brought more benefits to our two countries and their people.”

Mr. Baodong said that the visit of the Ark Peace is “of great significance” on the occasion of celebrating the 20th anniversary of Tonga-China diplomatic relations.

He believed that the visit will reinforce the cooperation of China and Tonga in health, military and enhance their friendship.

Rear Admiral Guan Bailin said that the Ark Peace is an “old friend of Tonga.”

“Three years ago, we were here from August 13th to the 20th. We were and are still impressed by your unique natural beauty, kind and hospitable people. This second visit this time is just like a joyful get together for old friends while it is surprising that the current visit is also from August 13th – 20th.

“In the following few days, we will provide free medical services, ship tool and exchange culture entertainments to further deepen our mutual understanding, expand communication and cooperation to cement the traditional friendship,” he said.

The Ark Peace will leave Tonga next Monday.

Man arrested after cannabis plants seized in ‘Eua

By
Kalino Latu
-

Police have seized 46 cannabis plants from a bush allotment in southeast ‘Eua on Monday 13 August 2018.

Police said they received information cannabis plants were being cultivated in the area.

A 48-year-old male suspect was arrested and charged with cultivation of illicit drugs.

He is remanded in police custody to appear at the Magistrate Court at a later date.

“We would like to acknowledge the assistance of members of the public which led to the drug seizure on Monday,” said Inspector Loluhama Fine.

“It only takes one call to disrupt the supply of drugs in our community and we encourage anyone who can provide information on drug dealing to contact Police.”

Tonga Police are committed to disrupting the supply of drugs and preventing the harm this illegal trade supports.

Anyone with information can contact Police on 922 or the nearest Police station to you.

Police investigation continues.

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