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Hon. Semisi Sika clarifies his position in Mormon Church

By
Kalino Latu
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Hon. Semisi Sika told Kaniva News this afternoon he was not a spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and said he had never spoken to the media on behalf of the church.

Hon. Sika made the comments following criticisms he received after an article published by Kaniva News last night about Prince Ata’s baptism into the Mormon Church.

The story was headlined ‘LDS leader attacks Prince’s baptism, charges “terrorism” and “bribery”’

Although he was president of Mormon Church’s Liahona High School global alumni, Hon. Sika said he is just a normal member of the church and did not want to be seen by the public as one of its leaders.

The Liahona High School Global Alumni manages an investment fund of TP$3million (NZ$2 million) to help pay for children whose parents cannot afford to pay for their school fees.

Last night’s story was based on comments Hon. Sika made on Facebook.

He did not deny the comments were his and said we were free to report them.

Hon. Sika said he had not wanted to make any public comments on the issue since it was revealed the Prince had been baptised in Hawai’i last month.

He said he acted after he saw some comments about the Prince’s baptism on a family member’s Facebook page in Hawai’i.

He said these comments were misinformed.

He said he made his own comments to clarify the issues and say what had actually happened before the baptism took place.

The baptism of King Tupou VI’s second son, Prince Ata, has caused rifts among LDS church members, with many saying it was an insult to Their Majesties.

Supporters of the baptism argued the Prince was an adult and free to make his own choices and decisions.

Prince Ata  was originally to be baptised at the Mormon Church in Haveluloto in November 2014.

His Majesty sent his royal guards and former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano to persuade him to postpone his baptism until an overseas royal commitment already scheduled was fulfilled.

The Prince subsequently agreed to postpone his baptism after he sent away the royal guards and refused to listen to Lord Tu’ivakano.

The Prince decided to postpone his baptism after Stake President ‘Alavini Sika, a younger brother of Hon. Sika, supported Lord Tu’ivakano’s plea.

After the postponement Prince Ata attended LDS church services regularly and was a regular guest at Hon. Sika’s house.

In his comments Hon. Sika accused Lord Fulivai of being behind the plan to baptise Prince Ata.

He said that in the past he had been in touch with Lord Fulivai from time to time, but that since the baptism he had had no further contact.

“Why does Lord Fulivai keep silent in Vava’u?” Hon. Sika asked in Tongan.

The Chairman of Tonga’s Parliament’s Whole House Committee claimed there had been bribery involved in the baptism,  including paying for the Prince’s air ticket to Hawai’i and purchasing him a new blue van.

Hon. Sika called the baptism of the Prince an act of “terrorism” and “attention seeking”.

The main points

  • Semisi Sika told Kaniva News this afternoon he was not a spokesperson for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints and had never spoken to the media on behalf of the church.
  • He made the comments following criticisms he received after an article published by Kaniva News last night about Prince Ata’s baptism into the Mormon Church.
  • Sika said he had not wanted to make any public comments on the issue since it was revealed the Prince had been baptised in Hawai’i last month.
  • However, he said he acted after he saw what he described as misinformed and inaccurate comments about the Prince’s baptism on a family member’s Facebook page.

Tonga Power Limited new CEO

By
Alpha Latu
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Tongan Power limited announced the employment of its new CEO, Mr Robert Matthews who commenced as Chief Executive of Tonga Power Limited since March 9 2015.

Mr Robert Matthews replaced Mr John van Brink who served Tonga from February 2012 to February 2015.

Robert holds engineering qualifications from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology with business management studies from RMIT and the University of South Australia, a fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, and former associate member of the CEO Institute Melbourne.

Robert moves to Tonga from Victoria, Australia with his wife, Angela for the next three years to serve the people of Tonga.

LDS leader attacks Prince’s baptism, charges “terrorism” and “bribery”

By
Kalino Latu
-

The controversial baptism of Prince Ata into the Mormon Church has divided leading figures in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and their supporters.

Hon. Semisi Sika, The President of the Church’s Liahona High School Global Alumni, has lashed out on Facebook, calling the baptism an act of “terrorism,” “attention seeking” and alleging that Prince Ata was bribed.

He said preparations for a baptism were already in place and those involved were waiting to hold it until such time as their Majesties could attend.

He claimed the baptism discredited Their Majesties and degraded the good image of Liahona High School Alumni.

Prince Ata, King Tupou VI’s second son, was about to be baptised in November 2014, but delayed the ceremony after His Majesty intervened. It was decided to delay the ceremony until the king and the queen had completed overseas obligations.

The postponement came after the prince had rejected requests from his Majesty through the royal guards and Tonga’s former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano.

While members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints were looking forward to the baptism, it was revealed the Prince had been baptised in Hawai’i late last month.

Hon. Sika accused those involved in the baptism of not respecting church leaders in Tonga.

He claimed they did not contact the Leader of the Church for the Pacific to find out about the status of the Prince’s baptism.

Hon. Sika claimed there had been bribery involved including paying for the Prince’s air ticket to Hawai’i and purchasing him a new blue van.

Kaniva News understands Hon. Sika’s younger brother ‘Alavini Sika is the president at the Haveluloto’s Mormon Church where the baptism was to be held last year.

The Sikas were close friends of Prince Ata.

Hon. Sika, Chairman of Tonga’s Parliamentary Whole House Committee, accused Vava’u Governor Lord Fulivai of being behind the plan to baptise Prince Ata.

“Why does Lord Fulivai keep silent in Vava’u?” Hon. Sika asked in Tongan.

Supporters of the Prince’s baptism hit back on Facebook.

Loseline Hola Uasike wrote in Tongan: “Why is God’s mission called terrorism?  I am afraid Bin Laden was involved with the Church’s work. The cup has been spilled and cannot be collected. This issue should have not been brought to Facebook by church members as it would cause a rift with other churches.”

One commentator, Sitalingi Tovo, claimed on Facebook that an LDS leader in Salt Lake City said those involved in the baptism should be expelled from the Church.

Lord Fulivai did not respond to our request for comments.

The main points

  • The controversial baptism of Prince Ata into the Mormon Church has divided leading figures in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and their supporters.
  • Semisi Sika, The President of the Church’s Liahona High School Global Alumni, has lashed out on Facebook, calling the baptism an act of “terrorism,” “attention seeking” and alleging that Prince Ata was bribed.
  • Prince Ata, King Tupou VI’s second son, was about to be baptised in November 2014, but delayed the ceremony after His Majesty intervened.
  • The Prince was baptised in Hawai’i late last month.

For more information

‘Prince Ata baptised in Mormon church despite king’s repeated requests to postpone  ceremony’ (Kaniva News)

‘Tonga halts Prince’s Mormon baptism – claim’ (RNZI)

Tongan police name four rescued fishermen

By
Kaniva Pacific
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Tongan Police have released names of four fishermen rescued by Tonga Navy Vessel VOEA Neiafu on Friday 13 March, 2015.

They were ‘Alipate Pinekoula, 36, of Halaleva; Kaliopasi Masalu, 33, of Pahu; ‘Isikeli Finau ,37, of Tofoa and Matavai Fonua, 54, of Vaotu’u.

The fishermen went on a fishing trip March 9 when the engine could not be started, Police statement said.

The fishing boat, ‘Ana Manusiu, was towed back to Nuku’alofa  after a rescue mission was launched following a distress call received by Tongan authority through Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand.

The fishermen were rescued by a team assisted by an Orion P-3 aircraft from New Zealand at 54 Nautical miles South of Fua’amotu at around 4.45pm, Friday 13.

Police investigation continues.

Derelict vessels leaking chemicals in Faua Harbour as massive clean-up operation begins

By
Kalino Latu
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The Tongan government is undertaking a TP$200,000 (NZ$136,000) plan to dispose of derelict ships in Faua Harbour in Nuku’alofa.

But now claims have been made that the vessels, which have been described as floating shipwrecks, may be leaking dangerous chemicals into the sea.

Some of the ships are occupied and people living on board the hulks have been accused of dumping rubbish into the harbour.

Tongan cameraman, Soane Niukapu Gallagher, who provided Kaniva News with these pictures described the situation as appalling and said he wanted the government to act before anything worse occurred.

Niukapu said he saw people living on the boats dumping rubbish into sea.

He agreed that there was no guarantee they were safe for people to stay in.

Four of the ships have already been towed out to sea and sunk by the Port Service Vessel MV Hifofua.

The MV Waimanu, MV Marine Princess, MV  Doko and MV Fangafua were towed 16 nautical miles (30 kilometres) out to sea and sunk north east of ‘Atata island.

The Port Authority in Tonga’s Chief Executive Officer, Mosese Lavemai, told Radio Television Tonga he believed chemicals had been leaking from some of the vessels in places where people regularly fished.

Even though the Port Authority’s cleaning up project is underway, Gallagher’s photographs show disturbing images of rusting, derelict vessels and illegally dumped rubbish on the waterfront.

Four years ago the Port Authority said it was preparing to salvage boats which had sunk at Nuku’alofa waterfront after being abandoned by their owners.

At the time the Authority said up to 20 boats had been abandoned, including vessels that were leaking oil and fishing boats and barges that had become submerged.

Lavemai told Radio New Zealand International in 2011: “Some boats are repossessed by the banks for not paying their loans. Some boats, the owners are foreigners from Asia but they have a partner in Tonga. They’ve left and there’s no way we can find them around here. Some are waiting for parts to repair their engines.”

The main points

  • The Tongan government is undertaking a TP$200,000 (NZ$136,000) plan to dispose of derelict ships in Faua Harbour in Nuku’alofa.
  • But now claims have been made that the vessels, which have been described as floating shipwrecks, may be leaking dangerous chemicals into the sea.
  • Some of the ships are occupied and people living on board the hulks have been accused of dumping rubbish into the harbour.
  • Four of the vessels have already been towed out to sea and sunk.

For more information

Tonga to salvage abandoned, sunken boats (TRNZI/Pacific Islands Report)

Tonga’s Ports Authority identify owners of three abandoned vessels (Pacific Islands News Association)

Japan supported MV Hifua overhaul (Tongan government)

Tongan captain Nili Latu could join Newcastle Falcons

By
Alpha Latu
-

Tongan captain and flanker, Nili Latu will possibly join the Newcastle Falcons after eight seasons of playing for the Japanese side NEC Green Rockets.

The 33-year-old flanker began his career in New Zealand with provincial side, Bay of Plenty in the Air New Zealand Cup. He made his debut for Tonga on June 4, 2006 against Japan.

Two Tongan rugby players, back rower Uili Kolo’ofai and half back Tane Takulua already joined the Newcastle squad.

Tongan former winger Epi Taione who is currently chairman of Tonga Rugby Union played for the Falcons.

Tonga's strong weather warning cancelled

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A strong wind and heavy rain warnings inforce for all of Tonga has now been cancelled,  a report from Tonga’s Fua’amotu weather forecasting centre at 1pm today Sunday 15 said.

“A heavy rain warning previously inforce for all of Tonga is now cancelled. A strong wind warning previously inforce for all of Tonga land areas is now cancelled”, it said.

Meanwhile Cyclone Pam has slammed into the south Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu leaving “complete devastation” and it’s now heading towards New Zealand’s northern and eastern regions.

A statement from World Bank said: “We are deeply concerned for the people of Vanuatu in the face of the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam. We are waiting for official casualty reports and stand ready to help.

The World Bank’s disaster risk management (DRM) team is monitoring the situation closely. The priority at this stage will be for the humanitarian and relief agencies to provide emergency assistance.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Vanuatu in the wake of the devastation from Cyclone Pam. Vanuatu is ranked as one of the world’s most at-risk countries to natural disasters because of its vulnerability and exposure to cyclones,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “Cyclone Pam is a devastating reminder of the risks of disasters and we will be working closely with the Government to provide any necessary support.”

1967 Tongan rugby player's death reveals sport talent runs in family blood

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A Tongan rugby hero who played for Tonga during 1960s died and his body was laid to rest last week Friday 13.

Kei Siaosi ‘Iongi, 71, of Nukunuku represented Tonga’s national rugby union team  when it played against Fiji in 1967.

His sister Keta ‘Iongi Palu won Tonga two respective gold medals in the South Pacific Games 1969 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and in 1971 in Papeete, Tahiti.

Keta’s son Wycliff Palu plays rugby union for the New South Wales Waratahs.

Kei ‘Iongi was Tongan-Australian netball player Mo’onia Gerrard  and her rugby player brother Mark Gerrards’ uncle. The Gerrards’ mother Kalasi ‘Iongi Gerrard is Kei’s younger sister.

Kei’s son Sioeli ‘Iongi is currently playing rugby union in Japan.

Kei ‘Iongi who played as a winger was remembered by many as a person who had his own style of running with the ball he was outstandingly known and associated with by locals when they talked about rugby in Kei’s time in rugby union field.

He was a retired police inspector and he is survived by his wife and eight children.

Tongan fishing boat towed back to safety after engine failure

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A fishing boat, ‘Ana Manusiu, has been towed back to Nuku’alofa this afternoon after a rescue mission was launched following a distress call received by Tongan authority through Rescue Co-ordination Centre New Zealand.

Four fishermen were on the fishing boat when the rescue team assisted by an Orion P-3 aircraft from New Zealand found them at 54 Nautical miles South of Fua’amotu at around 4.45pm.

The fishermen left on a fishing trip on March 9 when the engine could not be started, Police statement said.

Police said further details would be available when the fishermen would expectedly arrive in Nuku’alofa this evening.

Supreme Court orders Prime Minister to pay Princess and others legal costs

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tonga’s Supreme Court has ordered Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva to pay Princess Pilolevu, former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano and former Tongan Minister of Law Clive Edwards their legal costs after a lawsuit he launched against them failed.

Hon. Pohiva filed a private criminal prosecutions against the three in the Fasi Magistrate Court on February 12, 2013.

A fourth respondent, Friendly Islands Satellite Communication Ltd, was also named.

Pohiva brought an action charging the respondents with several offences including theft, conspiracy, aiding and abetting and receiving about TOP$18 million of the proceeds of a 2011 Tonga-China Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement loan from the People’s Republic of China to Tongan government.

Last year the Magistrate’s Court in Nuku’alofa ruled that there was an absence of evidence to show dishonesty and discharged all four of the accused.

Hon. Pohiva, who represented himself in court, appealed the magistrate’s decision.

He claimed  the Magistrate wrongly applied the provisions of the Magistrates’ Court Act as amended by the Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Act 2012, in particular by refusing his (Hon. Pohiva’s) request to allow his witnesses to give evidence during the committal proceedings.

Hon. Pohiva’s appeal was quashed by the Supreme Court, but Pohiva asked his New Zealand lawyer, Dr Rodney Harrison, to appeal his case at the Court of Appeal, which was held at Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

Pohiva was ordered to pay the defendants’ legal costs of $22,000 but he appealed the court order.

In October 20, 2014 he was ordered to pay the money so that he can stand as a candidate for Tonga’s General Election on November 27, 2014.

In his ruling on March 6, Justice Scott said: “I can find no reason not to award the Respondents their costs of this appeal and this application.”

“In view of the seriousness of the charges which were beyond the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court, committal proceedings were held. These proceedings resulted in the discharge of all four Respondents. (i.e Princess Pilolevu, former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano former Tongan Minister of Law Clive Edwards and Friendly Islands Satellite Communication Ltd.

Hon. Pohiva sought to overturn the decision, but his appeal was dismissed in January last year.

In his decision, Justice Scott said he relied on the general rule that costs should not be awarded against the Crown in criminal cases except in exceptional circumstances. He said that because this was an appeal from a private criminal prosecution, he asked for written submissions on the issue.

“Extensive written submissions, with attached authorities, were filed by Mr Stanton on 19 May 2014,” Justice Scott said.

“These were followed by written submissions signed and filed on 28 August by the Appellant (Hon. Pohiva) but the author of which, it transpired at the hearing, was in fact Mr Harrison, who did not appear. Submissions in reply were filed by Mr Stanton on 14 November.

“Mr Harrison submitted that the only statutory power to award costs of an appeal to the Supreme Court is to be found in section 80(1) of the Magistrate’s Court Act and I agree. He then, however, submitted that section 80 had not been enlivened since section 74 of the Act did not make provision for an appeal against an order for discharge following committal proceedings.

“Unfortunately, Mr Harrison overlooked the fact that the section was amended in 2012 (Act 23/12, section 19) and now provides a right of appeal from “the judgment, sentence or order of a Magistrate”.

Justice Scott then ordered that the Respondents be awarded their costs of the appeal and this application, to be taxed if not agreed.”

The main points

  • Tonga’s Supreme Court has ordered Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva to pay Princess Pilolevu, former Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano and former Tongan Minister of Law Clive Edwards their legal costs after a lawsuit he launched against them failed.
  • Pohiva filed a private criminal prosecutions against the three and the Friendly Islands SatelliteCommunication Ltd in the Fasi Magistrate Court on 12 February 2013.”
  • Pohiva had brought an action charging them with several offences including theft, conspiracy, aiding and abetting and receiving about US$18 million of the proceeds of a 2011 Tonga-China Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement loan from the People’s Republic of China to Tongan government.
  • Last year the Magistrate’s Court in Nuku’alofa ruled that there was an absence of evidence to show dishonesty and discharged all four of the accused.
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