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Hon. Jenny Lātū Salesa calls for calm; four arrested in Tongans, Samoans brawl

By
Kalino Latu
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Samoan and Tongan Rugby League supporters in Otahuhu get into a brawl. Source: Facebook / Vili Ieru / Cee La Tonga Taumoefolau



(NZ) – Tongan MP and Cabinet Minister Hon. Jenny Lātū Salesa has appealed for calm after four supporters of Mate Ma’a Tonga team have been arrested following a street brawl in South Auckland ahead of Saturday’s match against Samoa

Footage uploaded to social media showed two groups of apparently Samoan and Tongan rugby league team supporters brawling in the middle of the road as cars driving past honking their horns.

Police confirmed the incident on Tuesday night and said the four-people arrested were Tongan supporters, Fairfax Media has reported.

It appeared the tension erupted after a photo of a Tongan supporter burning a Samoan flag was circulated online.

The father of the Tongan supporter has publicly apologised for what his young son has done.

“My family are of Samoan/ Tongan descent. Please find it in your hearts to forgive my son for his stupidity.”

Hon. Salesa has emotionally pleaded in Tongan on Facebook asking Tongan kāinga to keep the peace.

She said it’s important that supporters out in public behave responsibly and with consideration for others.

She urged parents to make sure their children were in good hands and safe when they were out there in the public.

Hon. Salesa’s comment on Facebook was welcomed by commentators who thanked the honourable minister for her “good advice”.

Inspector Naila Hassan, Area Commander for Counties Manukau West said Police have been monitoring an increase in vehicle and crowd activity around the Otahuhu Town Centre this week from Tongan and Samoan rugby league supporters.

“We want everyone to have fun and enjoy themselves, but most importantly we want everyone to be safe.

“We urge supporters to be respectful of the community, local businesses and residents at all times when out in public,” says Inspector Hassan.

Inspector Hassan says the main concern for Police is people acting recklessly when travelling in vehicles.

“We’ve had a few reports of people leaning out of cars or sitting on car bonnets.

This risky behaviour is not only illegal but very dangerous.”

Inspector Hassan says police are actively patrolling the area to ensure that everyone is behaving responsibly.

Billboard attacks spark outrage online

By
Kalino Latu
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Attacks on some election campaign billboards in Nuku’alofa have sparked outrage among Tongans on social media.

Some people have accused the vandals of having nothing better to do, while others speculated the attacks were politically motivated.

A full length hoarding that stretched across Vuna Road was pulled down.

Katalina Tohi’s hoarding pulled down because it was not safe for traffic

It was advertising Tongatapu 3 candidate Katalina Tohi, who supports caretaker Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva.

The hoarding was installed closed to Princess Pilolevu Tuita’s residence in Fasimoeafi.

Unconfirmed reports say the structure was removed because it was not safe for traffic.

However, some commentators were quick to speculate that the removal appeared to be political since the advertisement was placed closed to the king’s sister’s royal residence.

A supporter of Tohi told Kaniva News he was told the removal was made by Tēvita Puloka, a construction company owner.

A poster of Tongatapu 3 candidate Tevita Palu, which was attached to a billboard in the Fofo’anga Club’s front yard was ripped down in what commentators said was a clear attempt to influence the outcome of the snap election.

Many commentators were quick to accuse supporters of Tongatapu 3 candidate number 1 Siaosi Sovaleni for the attack since his billboard, which stood next to Palu’s, was undamaged.

Katalina Tohi’s hoarding before it was removed

Others believed the vandalism appears to be the work of people “with nothing better to do” rather than political opponents.

The incident came after unconfirmed reports on social media said that a billboard belonging to Tongatapu 1 candidate Dr Ofo Niumeitolu was stolen from its location about a fortnight ago.

Attempts by Kaniva News to contact the owners of the billboards have so far been unsuccessful.

Outrage

Meanwhile commentators on social media have condemned the attack as “evil” and “morally wrong.”

One commentator said: “No matter what political stance you are or parties you support you should not vandalise other’s billboards.”

Recent photographs uploaded to Facebook show former Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni supporting and waving at Palu and Tohi’s parade campaigns in Nuku’alofa in the past two weeks.

Tongan voters will go to the polls in two weeks to vote in a snap election after King Tupou VI dissolved Parliament.

The king said he was not happy with bills submitted by the Pohiva government to be discussed in the House, including  a move to include the cabinet ministers in the King’s Privy Council.

The main points

  • Attacks on some election campaign billboards in Nuku’alofa has sparked outrage among Tongans on social media.
  • Some people have accused the vandals of having nothing better to do, while others speculated the attacks were politically motivated.
  • A full length hoarding that stretched across Vuna Road was pulled down.
  • It was advertising Tongatapu 3 candidate Katalina Tohi, who supports caretaker Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

If Tonga taxed all imported goods, it would not rely so heavily on overseas donors, says former CEO

By
Kalino Latu
-

Advertorial 

Ki he kau laukonga faka-Tonga, kiliki heni ke ke lau ai e kemipeini fili Fale Alea ‘a Kulufeinga ‘Anisi Bloomfield

If the government of Tonga taxed all its imported goods the kingdom would not have to rely heavily on overseas donors for its budgets, according to the former Ministry of Customs and Revenue CEO, Kulufienga ‘Anisi Bloomfield.

Only three percents of Tonga’s imported goods from overseas countries, including alcohol and tabacco were taxed, he said.

The tax-free policy was created to make these imported goods availble to Tongan customers at low prices, he said.

Bloomfield said  he made changes to the Tongan government’s free-tax policies and removed taxes from a number of important goods including electrical equipment, community initiatives for students such as buses imported from overseas and equipment for fisheries.

The government also removed taxes from foodstuffs which were identified as providing nutrition, educational equipment and materials, equipment for growing and farming, and also materials imported for local water supplies.

Poverty target

Bloomfield said the free tax policies had been part of the government’s move to alleviate poverty  after the Asian Development Bank reported in 2015 that 21.1 percent of the people of Tonga were living below poverty line.

That figure was a 1.9 percent drop from the ADB’s 2003 report  which showed that 23 percent of Tongans were living below poverty line.

He said he believed the government was indirectly reaching out to the poor in this way and helping by making goods available cheaply.

“The government spent millions on its tax-free policies and to me, if these imported goods had been taxed Tonga, would not have to borrow monies from overseas,” Bloomfield said.

Budget 2017 – 2018

However, the government charged taxes.

In its TP$595,804,400 budget for the year 2017 – 2018 the government said better paid Tongans would pay more taxes as part of the government’s move to make life easier for poorer Tongans.

It aimed at raising the buying power of lower income earners and generating more revenue from taxes.

The tax-free threshold on PAYE was also increased.

More than half of the budget comes from overseas grants.

New Zealand has donated $22.1 million in 2015 – 16 to Tonga, with most of the money spent on on energy systems, law and justice, education and tourism.

The main points

  • If the government of Tonga taxed all its imported goods the kingdom would not have to rely heavily on overseas donors for its budgets, according to the former Minister of Customs and Revenue CEO, ‘Anisi Bloomfield.
  • Only three percents of Tonga’s imported goods from overseas countries, including alcohol and tabacco were taxed, he said.
  • The tax-free policy was created to make these imported goods availble to Tongan customers at low prices, he said.
  • Bloomfield said he made changes to the Tongan government’s free-tax policies and removed taxes from a number of important goods including electrical equipment, community initiatives for students such as buses imported from overseas and equipment for fisheries.

For more information

Government hopes new budget will make lives better for poorest Tongans

Mate Ma’a Tonga die hard fans keep Ōtahuhu residents awake after 50-4 victory against Scotland

By
Kaniva Staff
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(NZ) – Some residents in Ōtahuhu have taken to social media to complain about loud and repeated vehicle horns at the South Auckland suburb this evening .

They said they had work in the morning and could not sleep while others responded and said they enjoyed it.

Traffic in Great South Road regularly came to a halt after some drivers drove slowly and yelling at others about the victory.

Some commentators on Facebook jokingly told them off for breaching Sunday taboo referring to Tonga’s own Sabbath Law which ban making noises and social activities on Sundays.

Ōtahuhu had been the centre of celebrations for Tongans in New Zealand whenever it comes to international events such as rugby tournaments that involved Tongan teams.

They called it Nuku’alofa referring to the capital town of Tonga.

The stir had been caused by Tongans who were celebrating the Mate Ma’a Tonga victory in Cairns today, Sunday 29.

The Mate Ma’a Tonga team overwhelmed the Scotish Bravehearts 50 – 4.

“With Taumalolo running riot Tonga scored seven tries in the first 40 minutes and went within an Ata Hingano conversion of keeping pace with the clock, leading 38-0 at half-time,” the NRL website has reported.

“No team has ever scored 38 points in the first half of an international and come out in the second term and played better…” it said.

Mate Ma’a Tonga 50 (Michael Jennings 3, Daniel Tupou 2, Jason Taumalolo, Sika Manu, Peni Terepo, Ata Hingano tries; Sio Siua Taukeiaho 6, Ata Hingano 1 goals) def.

Scotland 4 (Danny Addy try) at Barlow Park, Cairns. Crowd: 9,216.

The Mate Ma’a Tonga team was expected to arrive at the Auckland INternational Airport tomorrow before it

Pōhiva will win general election, but will be unable to form a government, says publisher Kalafi Moala

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister‘Akilisi Pōhiva will retain his parliamentary seat as Tongatapu 1 MP in the upcoming snap election, but he and his Party will not be able to form a government, publisher Kalafi Moala has predicted.

Moala said his view of what would happen was based on a survey of the electorate and looking at other factors.

“Whether he will win or lose, one thing I am certain of is that  he will not be able to form a government”, Moala said.

“That’s my bet, but of course I could be very wrong, but we’ll just have to wait and see,” he said.

“He will not get the majority of the MPs to form a government.”

Moala, who recently called on Pohiva to step down because of incompetence, said he believed eight or nine candidates, who were critics of Pōhiva and were not members of his Democratic Party could be elected in the November general election.

With that number, the nobles would only need five MPs so they could form a government, he said.

The rest of them would back a noble and independent-led government.

Moala said the other possibility was that the eight or nine elected independent MPs could be kingmakers and only require five nobles to form a government.

Survey

Moala said he and a group had conducted surveys in Tongatapu 1.

“The way we looked at it at the moment, ‘Akilisi will win Tongatapu 1,” he said.

“Mosese Manuofetoa was more active than the others and was followed by Netatua Taufatofua and Dr. Ofo Niumeitolu”, Moala said in Tongan.

He said they supported a call for candidates to register and run for Parliament and there was a plan that in one month before the election they would meet to review their campaigns.

If any candidates felt they could not make it they would be encouraged to step back and support others, Moala said.

He said this did not mean the candidates had to withdraw their names from the Election Office’s registration as they could not do that according to the law.

The plan was for them to talk to their supporters and encourage them to vote for the other candidates.

Meeting

Moala said after inviting the candidates other than Pohiva so they could look at their campaigns only four turned up, of whom only one was willing to beg off and support others.

They later talked to them individually, but none of them was in the mood to withdraw.

Moala said the idea that some candidates would withdraw had been ditched and everyone would stand against Hon. Pōhiva.

Democratic Party

Meanwhile Hon. Pōhiva, who was first elected in 1987 and is the longest serving MP in the Tongan parliament, continued leading strong campaigns around Tongatapu electorates  in support of the party’s candidates.

Yesterday he arrived with some members of his party in the island of ‘Eua to support their candidate, Sūnia Havea.

Nine members of Tonga’s 26-seat parliament are chosen solely by the 33 members of the country’s nobility while the other 17 seats are elected by the people.

The main points

  • Prime Minister‘Akilisi Pōhiva was predicted to retain his parliamentary seat as Tongatapu 1 MP in the upcoming snap election, but would not could be able to form a government, publisher Kalafi Moala has predicted.
  • Moala said his view of what would happen was based on a survey of the electorate and looking at other factors.
  • He said he believed eight or nine candidates, who were critics of Pohiva and were not members of his Democratic Party could be elected in the November general election.
  • With that number, the nobles would only need five MPs so they could form a government, he said.

 For more information 

Desperate move to reduce candidate numbers in attempt to unseat ‘Akilisi Pōhiva unlawful, Fonua says 

King and Queen attend $90m five-day funeral of Thailand’s King

By
Kaniva Staff
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Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho have arrived in Bankok this week for the funeral of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Since King Bhumibol passed away in October 2016 aged 88, his body has lain in state in the royal palace in Bangkok while a year-long period of national mourning was observed.

“According to the country’s traditions the embalmed remains have been constantly attended by Buddhist monks performing funeral rites, with ceremonial music played every three hours.

“Tens of thousands of mourners dressed in black swell the streets of Bangkok in preparation for the cremation of Thailand’s king in lavish $90million five-day ceremony,” the Daily Mail has reported.

Some 12million Thais have visited the palace to pay their respects to  King Bhumibol since last year

The five-day funeral, including a procession through Bangkok and a public cremation, costs $90million, the Mail said.

“As of Wednesday evening, distinguished guests from at least 19 countries had arrived in Thailand. They included HM King Tupou VI and HM Queen Nanasipau’u of Tonga, HM King Letsie III and HM Queen ‘Masenate…

At home, the King of Bhutan ordered special prayers coinciding with Thursday’s royal cremation of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.”

“Don’t do it to them as they are also Tongans”; Four arrested as new footage emerged

By
Kaniva Staff
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WARNING: This video contains foul Tongan language

Police have made two further arrests following the fight which broke out inside a Mangere Pak ‘n Save on Tuesday, bringing the total number of people arrested to four.

A 29-year-old male from Mangere has been charged with assault with intent to injure and disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence.

He will be appearing in the Manukau District Court on 1/11/17.

An 18-year-old male has been referred to the Community Justice Panel.

Shocking new footage has emerged of the brawl revealing more Tongan languages could be heard including swearing and one that could identify the men involved were Tongans.

“‘Oua ko e Tonga pe”. This could be translated into English as: “Don’t do it to them as they are also Tongans”, a brave woman who attempted to help break up the fight could be heard as saying in Tongan.

“Sikiuliti! Sikiuliti! ‘Oua! ‘Oua!”, one woman yelled. (“Security! Security! Don’t! Don’t!)

One of the men involved in the brawl can be heard swearing in Tongan – ” ‘Us… e”

As Kaniva Tonga news reported on Tuesday, a bystander could be heard in one of the footages begging earnestly in Tongan to one of the attackers saying “Tuku ia. Ko e Tonga pe” (Stop it. They are also Tongans).

Another woman could be heard yelling in Tongan: “Tuku ia” (Stop it).

NZ Herald report said footage from a different angle reveals it was in fact a nasty brawl involving at least six people.

“Several blows are struck in the footage – including a brave guard who tried to break up the brawl. Other shoppers intervene to try and break it up.”

Police earlier said they were called to the incident involving multiple individuals around 9.10pm on Tuesday, but when they arrived those involved had fled the scene.

Police appealed for public help with their investigation.

Kingdom still faces many obstacles on path to democracy, conference organiser says

By
Philip Cass
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Tonga is at the crossroads on the path to finding its own form of democracy.

Speaking ahead of this week’s National Dialogue on Democracy in Nuku’alofa, Massey University academic Dr Malakai Koloamatangi said the dismissal of the government by the king had placed the country at what he called “a landmark juncture.”

He said the path to defining a genuine Tongan democracy had been beset with hurdles and challenges.

These included the debate around the representation of the nobility in parliament, as well as the extent and exercise of the King’s residual powers.

Dr Koloamatangi, who is helping organise the event, also raised the possibility of a women’s quota in parliament.

He said tensions between the government and the media and the need for more professionalism in the reporting of the news were a concern.

The fact that half the country’s operating budget consisted of foreign aid had many people worried about the kingdom’s economic stability and growth, as did the need to constantly rejuvenate the private sector for growth.

There were problems with infrastructure and development in the capital and not enough attention was being paid to the development of tourism, despite the fact that it was regarded as a generator of much needed revenue.

There were continuing health issues, with non-communicable diseases affecting the potential productivity of the population and the cost this imposed on an already struggling economy.

Dr Koloamatangi said there were issues with law and order and the police had to be re-trained as an instrument of law enforcement in a democratic society.

He said many of the ideals and ideas that were expressed at the Convention on the Tongan Constitution and Democracy in November 1992, where the first real public call for democracy was made, had not been realised.

He said there had been significant reforms since the first democratic election was held, many of which involved curtailing the king’s powers.

However, some people had argued that these reforms had not gone far enough and that a genuine ‘Tongan’ democracy could only come about with more durable constitutional and political reforms.

“Others say that not only have there been too many reforms, which have been detrimental to the very cultural and spiritual foundation upon which the 1875 constitution was constructed, they have not delivered on the promise of more transparent and accountable government or on the prosperity that was supposed to have accompanied more democratisation,” Dr Koloamatangi said.

The main points

  • Tonga is at the crossroads on the path to finding its own form of democracy.
  • Speaking ahead of this week’s National Dialogue on Democracy in Nuku’alofa, Massey University academic Dr Malakai Koloamatangi said the dismissal of the government by the king had placed the country at what he called “a landmark juncture.”
  • He said the path to defining a genuine Tongan democracy had been beset with hurdles and challenges.
  • These included the debate around the representation of the nobility in parliament, as well as the extent and exercise of the King’s residual powers.

Former Deputy PM’s daughter denies money in photo was to buy Tongan passports

By
Kalino Latu
-

A daughter of former Tongan Deputy Prime Minister Sāmiu Vaipulu has responded to allegations posted online with a photo of her father sitting on a sofa beside a bag full of what appear to be bundles of dollars.

Sisi Vaipulu denied allegations on Facebook that  the photo was taken when Chinese buyers made a deal with Sāmiu to secretly buy Tongan passports.

She said the money was $200,000 paid to her father by investors who wanted to buy shares in Tonga Airways.

The airline was partly owned by the Vaipulus and some foreign investors.

The airline claimed it would provide a second air service for Tonga with cheaper airfares than the existing operator, Real Tonga.

Sisi said the money was used to pay staff who had worked for the company without pay since August 2015 and to pay off money they borrowed to pay for the processing of the company’s license.

She said their family spent $500,000 on the company before receiving the $200,000 from the interested investors.

She said the payment of the $200,000 was made in about May 10, 2016 after Clive Edwards contacted Sāmiu and told him his son, David Edwards, and some Chinese investors including  investor De Feng Mo wanted to meet him to invest in the airline.

Another photo in circulation shows a close up of the money.

Sisi said they spent all their family savings in the business and all the investors’ money before the investors left the company after the application for the license was declined.

The photo

She said she suspected the photo came from De Feng Mo.

Sisi said De took photos to prove to the Chinese investors he paid the money to Sāmiu.

In the photo, in question, Sāmiu is sitting with both legs crossed, with the bundles of money beside him.

Another photo in circulation shows a close up of the money.

Sisi said the accusations against her father, who is a Vava’u 15’s candidate running for Parliament in next month’s snap election, was something they were familiar with, especially at election time.

Tonga Airways

Towards December 2016 Tonga Airways announced its intention to operate domestic flights.

However, the Minister of Civil Aviation rejected the company’s application for a license, saying two airlines to serve the local flight was too much.

Sisi told Kaniva News the cancellation was a huge blow to their family and the investors because they already had spent about half a million in hiring pilots, trainings and processing various certificates and paper works including assessment processes in Vanuatu.

New investors invested more money, but the government still did not offer an Air Operator Certificate, an emotional Sisi said.

She said after their airline business failed, she and her father concentrated on running their law office services.

The main points

  • A daughter of former Tongan Deputy Prime Minister Sāmiu Vaipulu has responded to allegations posted online with a photo of her father sitting on a sofa beside a bag full of what appear to be bundles of dollars.
  • Sisi Vaipulu denied allegations on Facebook that the money in the photo was taken when Chinese buyers made a deal with Sāmiu to secretly buy Tongan passports.
  • She said the money was $200,000 paid to her father by investors who wanted to buy shares in Tonga Airways.
  • The airline was partly owned by the Vaipulus and some foreign investors.

For more information

Real Tonga airline says no room for second airline

Desperate move to reduce candidate numbers in attempt to unseat ‘Akilisi Pōhiva unlawful, Fonua says

By
Kalino Latu
-

A desperate attempt by a group of critics in Tongatapu 1 to unseat the electorate’s current MP, ‘Akilisi Pōhiva was unlawful, Ana Bing Fonua, the candidate number six at the constituency, has claimed.

Fonua said that according to Section 9A of the Electoral Act, the official date for any candidate to withdraw their candidature ended on the first week of October, a week from nomination day.

She said she doubted the Election Office would allow any candidates to withdraw  at this stage.

Fonua, who was CEO of the Ministry of Internal Affairs before quitting to run for Parliament, said she was unaware of the identity of the group.

Kakalu ‘o Tonga newspaper has identified the group as being led by publisher Kalafi Moala, former Police Inspector Polutele Tu’ihalamaka, Dr. Taniela Palu, Sisi’uno Helu and others.

The paper claimed they feared Hon. Pōhiva would still win the Tongatapu 1 seat.

Meeting

It is understood the group has met with some of the Tongatapu 1 candidates and discussed having some of them voluntarily withdraw to leave only two or one candidate to contest against Pōhiva.

The group appears to believe that having 11 candidates for the seat would give Hon. Pōhiva a greater chance because the voters would spread their votes among the rest of the candidates, based on their blood and political ties.

In the 2014 general election, 1482 voters voted for Hon. Pōhiva while 1287 spread their votes among the other seven candidates.

It is understood the group conducted several meetings with some of the candidates this week.

“In terms of the intention to reduce the number of candidates for Tongatapu 1, my simple comment is that candidates and their campaign advisers/supporters should first understand and familiarise themselves with the Electoral Act,” Fonua said.

“The question is, are these candidates choosing to non-comply with the Electoral Act? How confident are they that the Tonga Electoral Commission will accept the withdrawal, which I doubt they would?

Fonua said she had not met with any of the other candidates regarding the proposal to reduce their number.

Campaigns

“It is fair to assume that the hesitation is because candidates either have not done enough for the nation and constituency in the last three years, or their policies are not convincing enough for the voters, or the votes have in fact split, but Hon. Prime Minister’s supporters still remain strong,” she said.

“Either way, candidates should work extra hard in their campaign in the remaining weeks.

“In regards to my campaign, we had planned to stall a little to ensure we were within budget and that the impact timing was closer to polling day, otherwise we would be wasting resources. Hopefully things will progress smoothly as planned.”

The group reportedly said three contesters in the electorate who were doing well in their campaigns were Dr. Ofo Niumeitolu, Netatua Prescott and Mōsese Manuofetoa.

Meanwhile an unsubstantiated election poll which circulated online since last week using the word Fale Alea (Parliament) forecast Hon. Pohiva would win the Tongatapu 1 seat.

The main points             

  • A desperate attempt by a group of critics in Tongatapu 1 to unseat the electorate’s current MP, ‘Akilisi Pohiva was unlawful, Ana Bing Fonua, the candidate number 6 at the constituency, has claimed.
  • Fonua said that according to Section 9A of the Electoral Act, the official date for any candidate to withdraw their candidature ended on the first week of October, a week from nomination day.
  • She said she doubted the Election Office would allow any candidates to withdraw at this stage.
  • Fonua, who was CEO of the Ministry of Internal Affairs before quitting to run for Parliament, said she was unaware of the identity of the group.

For more information

Tonga Electoral Commission

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