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Semisi Sika approached for Tourism Minister

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga’s Chair of the Whole House Committee and Democratic Party MP Semisi Sika said he has been approached by the Prime Minister about the prospect of becoming his Minister of Tourism.

“I shared with him my views and gave him my proposal and I am just waiting for him,” Sika said.

The kingdom’s Chief Secretary Dr Palenitina Langa’oi said “there is still discussions going on and nothing has been confirmed”.

She said the Prime Minister “can approach any of the MPs to be a Minister, including Semisi Sika.”

Dr Langa’oi said the appointment once confirmed has to go through  normal procedures including informing His Majesty.

“As such, until something is confirmed I cannot comment at this time”, she added.

The Ministry is currently under the provisional ministership of Hon Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, the Police Minister and Minister of Labour and Commerce.

Sika, a local businessman who runs a takeaway shop and catering firm, was a long-time advocate of Tonga’s Tourism.

He is the chairman of the Heilala Festival Committee, a committee established to oversee and organise Tonga’s largest annual festival, the Heilala Week, which aims at promoting tourism and Tongan cultures.

The Ministry of Tourism’s ministerial post became vacant since last week after the king received an advice from the Prime Minister disqualifing  Former Tourism Minister Hon ‘Etuate Lavulavu after the Supreme Court convicted him of bribery offence  during his 2014 election campaign.

Tongan royals steal the show during wedding celebrations at Shangri-La resort in Fiji

By
Kalino Latu
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Tongan royals stole the show at a wedding ceremony for the Queen Mother’s niece at the Shangri-La resort on Yanuca Island in Fiji on Saturday, January 6.

Odette Inez Kilinalivoni Tupou-Moheofo Taumoepeau married Ratu Penaia Kamisese Tuivanuavou Ganilau of Fiji.

Taumoepeau is a daughter of the late Lord Sonatane Taumoepeau Tupou and the late Latunuia ‘Ahome’e Taumoepeau Tupou, the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho’s young sister.

Ratu Tui is the eldest grandson of Fiji’s former Prime Minister and President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, the son of former Fiji Military Forces Commander, Brigadier Ratu Epeli Ganilau and Adi Ateca Mara.

The Tongan entertainment during the wedding celebration was the latest incident in which the royals presented the tau’olunga and tu’ulafale to entertain guests.

This was not in accordance with Tongan protocol.

Tau’olunga (ladies’ dance) and tu’ulafale (man dancing behind or beside the female dancer) are normally performed by commoners at Tongan celebrations.

However, the Tongan royals performed the dances in Suva last week during the celebration of their cousin’s wedding.

Wedding
Odette Inez Kilinalivoni Tupou-Moheofo Taumoepeau and his husband (second and third from right) Ratu Penaia Kamisese Tuivanuavou Ganilau of Fiji. Father ‘Ekuasi Manu of the Catholic church (left), President of the Methodist Church in Fiji, Reverend Tevita Banivanua. Photo/Island Business (Facebook)

Photos seen by Kaniva News taken during the wedding showed Her Royal Highness Princess Pilolevu dancing with majestic haka (hands movements) accompanied by the normal facial expressions that are presented according to the rhythms of the music. Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala performed the tu’ulafale, a combination of hakas, fakataupasi (clapping) and foot movements while the dancer lowers the upper part of his body.

When the royals perform the dances at Tongan events commoners are rarely expected to join in.

However, the photos appear to show that this was apparently what had happened during the Fiji celebration.

Reporting on the wedding, the Fiji-based Islands Business said: “Observers said it would have been unusual for the royal family to be so informal at home due to a rigid system and strict protocol.”

The wedding was also attended by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Sinaitakala Fakafanua Tuku’aho and the Queen Mother.

Also attending were Lord Tuita, Prince Kalaniuvalu-Fotofili and his wife Princess Marcella Margaret Tupoumoheofo Taumoepeau Tupou – the bride’s twin sister as well as Lord and Lady Fakafanua Vaea.

The wedding ceremony was officiated by the President of the Methodist Church in Fiji, Reverend Tevita Banivanua and Father ‘Ekuasi Manu of the Catholic church.

The Maras have close ties to Tonga.

Ratu Mara had ancestral links to the Tongan royal family.

In 2011, Ratu Mara’s son, Colonel Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, fled to Tonga and accused coup leader and self-declared Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama  of being a dictator.

While in Tonga Uluilakepa Mara stayed with the royal family and he is now His Majesty’s private secretary.

The main points

  • Tongan royals stole the show at a wedding ceremony for the Queen Mother’s niece at the Shangri-La resort on Yanuca Island in Fiji on Saturday, January 6.
  • Odette Inez Kilinalivoni Tupou-Moheofo Taumoepeau married Ratu Penaia Kamisese Tuivanuavou Ganilau of Fiji.
  • Taumoepeau is a daughter of the late Lord Sonatane Taumoepeau Tupou and the late Latunuia ‘Ahome’e Taumoepeon Tupou, the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata’aho’s young sister.
  • Ratu Tui is the eldest grandson of Fiji’s former Prime Minister and President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and Ratu Sir PenaiaGanilau, the son of former Fiji Military Forces Commander, Brigadier Ratu Epeli Ganilau and Adi Ateca Mara.

4-year-old boy dies in Tu‘anekivale after being struck by truck

By
Kaniva Staff
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A boy has died after being struck by a truck in Tu’akenivale, Vava’u on Saturday 6.

Vava’u police say the 4-year-old boy was riding on his bike when he was hit by the truck’s back wheel.

The driver of the truck stopped and went to the aid of the boy before he was rushed to hospital.

The boy however died  last night while  in hospital after suffering a serious head injury.

Police investigation continues.

Tongan teenage bride links to ISIS terrorists in Australia revealed

By
Kaniva Staff
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(Yahoo 7 News) A Tongan teenage woman Alo-Bridget Namoa has been refused bail after Police claimed she has allegedly earlier been caught with a knife wrapped in a Shahada flag in her handbag and graphic images of beheadings, explosions and executions stored on her mobile phone. There is a concern she is a supporter of ISIS.

The teenage wife of a western Sydney man charged with terror-related offences has been arrested.

A Sydney teenage bride who allegedly boasted of wanting to “do an Islamic Bonnie and Clyde” has been refused bail.

Alo-Bridget Namoa, from Guildford in Sydney’s west, appeared at Parramatta Local Court via videolink on Saturday facing 31 charges of refusing to answer questions at a Crime Commission hearing.

The 18-year-old was hauled before the commission on Friday after her husband Sameh Bayda was charged with three counts of collecting documents likely to facilitate terrorist acts in January.

The court heard Namoa refused to answer dozens of questions about Bayda’s alleged plans to sacrifice himself and “leave this dunya”, downloading Islamic State propaganda and planning to commit a terrorist act.

Senior police prosecutor Clint Nasr said Namoa had allegedly earlier been caught with a knife wrapped in a Shahada flag in her handbag and graphic images of beheadings, explosions and executions stored on her mobile phone.

According to court documents, among the questions Namoa was asked by the commission were, “What do you mean by ‘I want to do an Islamic Bonnie and Clyde on the kaffir’?” and “Were you planning to sacrifice your life alongside your husband?”

The court heard Namoa was bound by law to answer all questions, given multiple chances and warned of the consequences if she failed to do so.

Sergeant Nasr said underlying the 31 charges was a disturbing pattern of extreme behaviour.

“The court needs to look behind the charges,” he said.

“There is a concern she is a supporter of ISIS.

“The accused was up to her eyeballs in what her husband was up to.”

The 18-year old married Bayda in December after converting from Christianity to Islam.

Namoa’s legal aid representative, who did not want to be named, said that if released her client would live with her Catholic mother in Auburn, not contact any Muslim people or visit any mosques, and report to police.

The court heard Namoa was a fragile teen who suffered from anxiety and would be closely monitored if granted conditional bail.

“This is a woman that’s going to be more watched in the community than the usual habitual thief,” her lawyer said.

But Magistrate George Zdenkowski said Namoa faced serious charges and described the potential threat to the public through terrorist acts as extreme.

“It’s an unusual situation, a young woman, with no prior record would normally be released on conditional bail,” Mr Zdenkowski said.

“Because of the danger, the alleged danger, to the public and her links to her partner and references to acts of violence, I shall refuse bail.”

Namoa is expected to face Central Local Court on Thursday, February 11.

Police not investigating shooting threat against Prime Minister

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tongan Police said they are not investigating a threat to shoot the Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva which was revealed earlier this week because the Prime Minister did not want them to.

The threat was revealed during a heated debate between Hon Pohiva and Lord Tu’ilakepa on Monday in Parliament.

Lord Tu’ilakepa told Hon Pohiva  a caller told him during a telephone call  he wanted to shoot the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister told the House he knew the person who made the threat.

However Tonga’s Minister of Police Hon Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa told Kaniva News Police  were not probing  the shooting threat because the Prime Minister did not want them to investigate.

According to Hon. Tu’i’onetoa the Prime Minister knew about people who were behind the threat before it was revealed in the House.

“He just joke with us saying I am available I have no soldiers or police to protect or escort me around  anyone wants to do anything to me no one stop them,” Hon Tu’i’onetoa said of the Prime Minister.

READ MORE:

Shooting threat against Prime Minister revealed, but Pohiva says he knows who made the threat

Security

Hon Pohiva could be the first Prime Minister of Tonga who refused to be provided with protective security services.

He maintained he has nothing to fear and for him to have security guards to protect him means taxpayers would have to pay.

But this has caused great concerns from the public who said the government has a responsibility to protect the leader of the nation.

Supporters of the idea who talked to us this week after we published the story about the shooting threat against the Prime Minister but wished not to be identified said the Prime Minister attended  a public meeting in the United States without a bodyguard.

They said that was unacceptable and it was not safe for the Prime Minister to be without someone to protect him while visiting overseas countries.

This week in Auckland  thousands of protesters kept police busy by blocking main intersections and some of the motor way off ramps in the heart of the city  in protest at New Zealand leaders’ signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

On Firday at Waitangi the  Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce was hit by a dildo thrown at him by a female protesters who shouted:  “that’s for raping our sovereignty”.

A Police officer immediately escorted the woman away .

Gov’t receives $1 million worth medical equipment from Japan

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A total value of TP$1 million (Yen $52 million) worth equipment was handed over to Tonga’s Minister of Health Dr Saia Piukala Thursday 4 in Nukuʻalofa.

The medical appliances were  two mobile X-ray units including two auto distillation apparatus, seven infant incubators, nine infant warmer, five phototherapy unit, 14 infusion pump and three emergency medical kits.

Japan’s Ambassador Mr Yukio Numata said the medical devices were part of Japan’s aid to help cure and diagnose illnesses in the kingdom.

“Together, we are building societies of potential and resilience through mutual experience, sharing information and coordinated encouragement on a regional and international scale. By focusing our attention upon the health of people, the most important segment of the nation, we are reinforcing human security and human dignity,”  Numata said.

Dr Piukala congratulated the donation of the medical equipment and reminded that it was Japanese funding that help built the new Vaiola hospital.

“It is the aspiration of the Ministry of Health as recipients, to strengthen our partnership and cooperation with the Government of Japan for the development health services in Tonga,” Hon Piukala said.

Woman fears deportation to Tonga convicted of sex crimes involving her young daughter

By
Kaniva Staff
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A 35-year-old mother in the United States who has yet to obtain her citizenship feared she could be deported to Tonga after a jury found she was guilty of more than a dozen sex crimes involving her 6-year-old daughter.

Ricky D. Gordon, 55, and Rose I. Gordon, 35, were arrested in 2014 after they were accused of engaging in sexual behaviour with the little girl.

Rose’s husband Ricky was sentenced to 27 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in June 2015 to first-degree child rape and child molestation and possession of child pornography.

Rose will be sentenced in March and according to Washington law she is facing up to 26 years in prison.

Her attorney told media they will  appeal the conviction.

Reports said Snohomish County prosecuotors will likely lay more charges based on the multiple crimes  they found against the accused.

Washington’s Heraldnet report said: “The woman testified that she was abused by her husband, 57, and forced to engage in sexual contact with her daughter”.

But prosecutors said Rose did not reveal she was “a victim of domestic violence” during the investigation.

They said the first time she told them about it was when she realised  “that she was facing serious criminal charges”.

“The woman, who isn’t a U.S. citizen, was concerned that she would be sent back to Tonga if she didn’t cooperate with her husband’s demands”, jurors were told.

“The defendant saw her child, her 6-year-old daughter, as her plaything for her own sexual gratification,” Prosecutor Deschenes said in closing arguments.

The girl also was her “cash cow.”

The couple will have to face the state’s Indeterminate Sentence Review Board to make sure they are safe to be released, after they served their times.

PNG-Tonga 2019 Pacific Games assessment team departs the kingdom

By
Alpha Latu
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The Papua New Guinean delegation which visited Tonga to assess sporting facilities for the Pacific Sport 2019 has departed the kingdom on Tuesday.

The delegation was led by the Papua New Guinea’s Minister for National Events, Sports and Tourism Hon. Justin Tkatchenko.

Hon Tkatchenko visited Tonga’s existing sporting facilities and infrastructure and said they were still in good condition but they have to be upgraded to meet the standard required for the Pacific Games.

He said his architects and engineers who were with him in Tonga will work on plans and valuation of the main stadium and the high performance centre.

The works will be reported to the Papua New Guinea Prime Minister and his government before his country will donate funding for the constructions.

Hon Tkatchenko said Tonga still had plenty of time to prepare for the Games.

In a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office Hon Tkatchenko said the “sporting facilities Papua New Guinea had built for the Pacific Games 2015 are lasting legacies for the nation”.

“Because of those facilities, Papua New Guinea are now able to host international sporting events such as the upcoming Under-20 FIFA World”, he said.

Tonga’s Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva congratulated Hon Tkatchenko and his team for their visit and said the “Government and People of Papua New Guinea have accorded to the call for assistance in Tonga’s great stride, commitments and challenges in the preparation for the Pacific Games 2019”.

Shooting threat against Prime Minister revealed, but Pohiva says he knows who made the threat

By
Kalino Latu
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s life has been threatened by a telephone caller who threatened to shoot him.

Lord Tu’ilakepa revealed the shooting threat in Parliament yesterday, saying in Tongan: “It was a dangerous message.”

The Noble made the claim during a heated debate that grew out of allegations about the misuse of school funds and ended with the Police Minister warning Parliamentarians to watch their language.

Hon. Pōhiva was told somebody threatened to shoot him during a telephone call.

The Prime Minister said the caller was a supporter of a candidate who ran for Parliament, but failed.

The Prime Minister wondered what was stopping the caller from carrying out the threat.

“I am just by myself,” the Prime Minister told Lord Tu’ilakepa.

“I have no police or soldiers to guard me.”

Hon. Pōhiva reminded the House he had no security guards to escort him wherever he went. He said the former Prime Minister used police and soldiers as security guards who escorted him wherever he went even when he went to church and to the tennis court.

Lord Tu’ilakepa told Hon. Pōhiva that it was important for him to have his own security guards.

Police Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa warned the House that he had the responsibility of dealing with people who used threatening language.

In 2011 Hon. Pohiva told the House he and his family evacuated their home and hid in their neighbours’ house after somebody called to ask where he was and said he was coming to kill them.

Police eventually found the man with a rifle on a nearby beach.

Yesterday’s threat emerged after Tu’ilakepa asked Hon. Pōhiva why he had pushed to investigate Tonga’s passport scandal, but seemed to ignore matters related to other parliamentarians.

Tu’ilakepa claimed the government granted TP$1000 per head to 400 registered students at Tiveti Training Centre.

He told the House he knew of two students who were registered by the centre, but claimed they did not attend the school.

Hon. Pōhiva told Tu’ilakepa if he had the documents to prove his claim he could give it to him the following day so he could look at it.

Tu’ilakepa claimed there were people in the House who were involved with the school and that was why the government would not investigate this matter.

Tu’ilakepa then warned the Prime Minister that the people of the nation wanted him to change his ways (fakalelei).

He said this was the first time he had heard such a “dangerous message”.

He said the people had revealed what was in their hearts and he was warning the Prime Minister and Members of the House to be on alert.

He said the burning down of Nuku’alofa in 2006 would not be repeated and he feared for the life of the rest of the Members of the Parliament.

Lord Tu’ilakepa, who was charged with drug offences in 2012 that were later dropped, was described as being at the boiling point during a heated debates with Hon. Pohiva.

He appeared to be extremely emotional after Member for Ha’apai 14, Veivosa Taka, interrupted and told the House that if a person was telephoning regularly he was a “dealer.”

But Lord Tu’ilakepa confronted Taka asking him what was the connection between the telephone he made and a “dealer”.

He then said he was talking about a person who called and told him he wanted to shoot the Prime Minister.

Hon. Taka said he thanked Lord Tu’ilakepa for his threat warning, but he believed Tonga was a peaceful country.

He also rejected Tu’alakepa’s claim in the House saying he was representing the majority of the people who raised with him their concerns about the Prime Minister.

He said the nobles, including Lord Tu’ilakepa, were elected to Parliament by only 33 representatives of the nobles and they did not represent the people.

Hon. Taka said he and the rest of the commoner MPS in the House were the only members who represented the people because they were elected by the people.

Lord Tu’ilakepa described Taka’s comments as “distasteful.”

Lord Tu’i’afitu  began to speak in support of Lord Tu’ilakepa, but the Police Minister warned the House about using threatening language and told members to be careful when using such words.

First shooting threat

When Hon. Pōhiva was Leader of Opposition in 2011 he told the House during a debate on the Firearm Acts he received a phone call at his house from someone who told him to wait for him as he was coming to shoot him.

Hon Pohiva said his children fled their house while he and his wife Neo took shelter in another place.

They returned after some time and were told by their neighbours that they had a man who came to their home, called for him and then left.

While they were talking to the neighbour the man came back to their house looking for them again and then left.

Hon. Pohiva said he then called the Police who found the man on a beach with a rifle.

He did not identify the man or further gave details.

The main points

  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s life has been threatened by a telephone caller who threatened to shoot him.
  • Lord Tu’ilakepa revealed the shooting threat in Parliament yesterday, saying in Tongan: “It was a dangerous message.”
  • The Noble made the claim during a heated debate that grew out of allegations about misuse of school funds and ended with the Police Minister warning Parliamentarians to watch their language.
  • Pohiva said the caller was a supporter of a candidate who ran for Parliament, but failed.

 

ADB appoints Tongan to lead its operation in Cambodia

By
Alpha Latu
-

A Tongan national was appointed as Asian Development Bank’s director for Cambodia effective February 1.

Samiuela T. Tukuafu will lead ADB operations in Cambodia to support the country’s development goals of promoting inclusive growth and diversifying the economy.

He will oversee the implementation of ADB’s Country Partnership Strategy 2014-2018 for Cambodia which is closely aligned to the Government’s Rectangular Strategy for Growth, Employment, Equity and Efficiency, Phase III and the National Strategic Development Plan.

“Cambodia has achieved remarkable economic growth in recent years despite some unique challenges,” said Mr. Tukuafu.  “I am looking forward to working with the government, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to help improve the quality of life for all Cambodians.”

Prior to his appointment as Country Director, Mr. Tukuafu served as Principal Economist in the Director General’s Office of ADB’s Southeast Asia Regional Department (SERD).

He previously headed the project administration unit in SERD’s Public Management, Financial Sector and Trade Division, and also led operations in financial sector and public financial management.

During this period, he worked closely with the Kingdom of Cambodia between 2004 and 2012 as project team leader for the re-building of Cambodia’s financial sector and some key public financial management reforms.

Mr. Tukuafu has held senior positions in the public and private sectors over more than 31 years. Prior to joining ADB, Mr. Tukuafu was Deputy Governor of the National Reserve Bank of Tonga from 1995 to 2000. He also held roles as Manager of Finance and Marketing at the Westpac Bank of Tonga; Senior Auditor at Price Waterhouse (now Price Waterhouse and Coopers) in Fiji; and the Deputy Accountant General and Head of Budget in the Ministry of Finance, Kingdom of Tonga.

Mr. Tukuafu holds a Master’s degree in Commerce (Banking and Corporate Finance) from the University of New South Wales in Australia. He is married with two children and two grandchildren.

ADB, headquartered in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region.

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