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Auditor General blasts cabinet for withholding decisions, warns of corruption

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Auditor General, Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, has blasted the country’s cabinet for refusing to forward him copies of cabinet decisions.

He said a lack of transparency in the executive body’s decision making process would encourage corruption.

According to the Auditor General’s Report for 2012-2013, the government decided not to circulate any cabinet decisions to Dr Tu’i’onetoa.  

The government launched a prosecution against the Auditor General in 2012, accusing him of leaking information about the disappearance of millions of dollars of aid money donated by Australia and New Zealand to promote political reform in the kingdom.

According to the Report, the prosecution was later withdrawn.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa said he believed the information was actually leaked by a Cabinet minister.

Early this month Tonga’s Justice Minister, Clive Edwards, denied in Parliament during a heated debate on the Auditor’s Report that the government had stopped circulating cabinet decisions.

He said the law prohibited the Auditor General from giving his reports to ‘radio’ and ‘television'.

Duty

Dr Tu’i’onetoa said some Cabinet ministers’ interpretation of how the law defined his duties as the government’s chief financial officer was ‘outdated’ and ‘wrong.’

He said the law authorised him to give anybody his report if he thought it appropriate.

The Auditor General said he was legally allowed to release information depending on whether it was a matter of national security or whether it was in the public interest to make the information available.

“I did not know whether a cabinet decision was made in writing for the ban and which clause they based their decision on,” Dr Tu’i’onetoa said.

“I have written many times and asked for copies of cabinet decisions, but the Acting Secretary to cabinet has not responded.”

The Auditor General said he had also telephoned the Acting Secretary and explained that he wanted documents for auditing and been told he would receive a response in writing, but had never received a reply.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa said the decision to stop releasing documents to him may have been made  verbally.

“If there was no decision to stop cabinet decisions from being released, the Acting Secretary should be penalised,” the Auditor General said.

The decision had affected the ability of the Auditor General’s office to do its job properly for the past two years.

He said it was one of the cornerstones of his duty that he receive information that affected the way other government department and ministries’ decision making.   

Suspicion

Tonga’s Minister of Justice, Hon Clive Edwards attacked the Auditor General’s report, saying it had been brought to Parliament to stir up suspicion that fraud had been committed. He described it as ‘incomplete.’

Democratic Party leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva read out part of the Auditor’s Report in which the Auditor General said his prosecution had been part of the government’s attempts to gag him.

Pohiva told Government ministers in the House that he was sorry the report had brought them worries.    

Finance Minister Hon ‘Aisake Eke told the House he had no problem with the report

He told the House the Auditor General’s report had pending clauses, meaning they were recorded for further action to be taken,  like the issue of  multiple passports being issued to a Chinese millionaire.

The Finance Minister also mentioned the payment of US$25.50 million made in June 2012 to Princess Pilolevu and her Tongasat company. In the report the Auditor General questioned the payment, asking why was it made without processing a voucher as per government’s transaction policy.

Eke said he was shocked when he first saw the report. For the Treasury to make such a huge payment without using the proper process was a matter of a huge concern for him, given that he has been Secretary for Finance for many years before he become a Member of Parliament.

The Auditor General was not in Parliament to answer questions about the report,  but was represented by some of his senior officers. The Prime Minister told the House it would be wise for the Report to be returned and wait for the Auditor to be available for questioning.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Auditor General, Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, has blasted the country’s cabinet for refusing to forward him copies of cabinet decisions.
  • He said a lack of transparency in the executive body’s decision making process would encourage corruption.
  • Dr Tu’i’onetoa said some Cabinet ministers’ interpretation of how the law defined his duties as the government’s chief financial officer was ‘outdated’ and ‘wrong.’
  • Tonga’s Minister of Justice, Hon Clive Edwards attacked the Auditor General’s report, saying it had been brought to Parliament to stir up suspicion that fraud had been committed.

 

Continue

Late King George Tupou V’s wine auctioned to raise funds

By
Kaniva Pacific
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New Zealand – A bottle of Cabernet Merlot 2007 wine that was given away in commemoration of the coronation of His late Majesty King George Tupou V of Tonga will be put up for auction today.

The commemorative release was a gift for the New Zealand Labour MP for Mt Roskill, Hon. Phil Golf. 

However Goff has given the wine to the Labour MP for Mangere, MP Sua William Sio to help  with his campaign fundraising.

 "The funds will be used for the Mangere Labour's 2014 Campaign", Sio said.

 “I want to give a heads up to all my Tongan relatives, friends and supporters that I will be putting this wine bottle up for auction and it will go to the highest bidder,” Sio said.

About 6500 bottles of wine were produced in  Italy and brought to Tonga in 2008 for the celebration of the historical coronation.

Rev Liufau Saulala faces writ over Tu‘i‘onetoa’s dismissal

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Auditor General and the president of the Tokaikolo Christian Church International could face each other in court if their lawyers cannot reach agreement over a claim for wrongful dismissal.

In January this year Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, who is the kingdom’s chief financial officer, served a writ on the Rev. Liufau Saulala, alleging wrongful dismissal from the Church and claiming almost $TOP200,000 in damages.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa served the writ in his capacity as a private citizen.

In his writ, he claims he was wrongfully dismissed from his position as a lay preacher and trainee deacon and excommunicated to stop him questioning the Church’s finances.

Court documents filed by Dr Tu’i’onetoa list efforts to get church members to buy quack medicine, failed business ventures, questionable loans, impossible claims about overseas investments and associations with people who were later prosecuted by Australian and American financial authorities.

The Tokaikolo Church split in two last year following sexual and financial scandals.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa  asked the court to order Rev. Saulala and the church to produce audited financial records for the five years from 2007-2008.

In his writ, he claims that he was wrongfully dismissed from his position as lay preacher and trainee deacon and wrongfully excommunicated by the church.

He has also sought a declaration from the court on a claim of defamation against the Church’s newspaper.

The writ was served on January 22. Rev. Saulala had 28 days in which to respond.

The writ said that if Rev. Saulala failed to satisfy the claim or to file a defence within the time stated, Dr Tu’ionetoa could obtain judgment without farther notice.

If Rev. Saulala fights the claim, it does not have to be tried in front of a jury.

This week Dr Tu’i’onetoa told Kaniva News the matter was being handled by his lawyer Posesi Bloomfield and Rev Saulala’s legal representative, William Clive Edwards Jr. 

He said Edwards had asked for more time to prepare a response.

In the court documents, Dr Tu’ionetoa  claimed he was not given an opportunity to respond to the charges brought against him.Pohiva Tui'onetoa

He said he first discovered the move to dismiss him when he attended the meeting and saw an agenda item proposing his dismissal. Statements filed with the court claim the item had not been brought up from the village council as required by the Constitution.

At a Church village meeting on November 18, 2012, chaired by Rev. Siosaia Taufa, Dr Tu’i’onetoa repeatedly and strongly questioned the financial dealings of the Church. He strongly questioned the lack of transparency regarding its financial affairs. During a heated exchange Dr Tu’i’onetoa said “shit” (t_’e) once.

Rev Saulala cited this as a reason for dismissing Dr Tu’i’onetoa, saying he had “sinned.”              

Dr Tu’i’onetoa said his dismissal was calculated to stop him questioning the church’s  financial matters.

He was expelled from the body of the Church at a Kolomotu’a congregation meeting on September 26, 2013. He alleged the dismissal did not follow a proper hearing and adjudication as set out by the Church’s Constitution. The reason for dismissal was not a criteria for dismissal as set out in the church’s constitution.

In the writ, Dr Tu’i’onetoa said he had been publicly humiliated by the dismissal and the charges against him.

At the time of the meeting, Dr Tu’i’onetoa  was overseas and was not aware of the meeting. He was not given an opportunity to be heard or to respond to the charges against him.

He said he was told he was dismissed because he had locked the Kolomotu’a church building following a morning Sunday service on 18 August, 2013.

The claimant

The Auditor General had been a member of the Tokaikolo Christian Church for 35 years. He was dismissed following a District Meeting chaired by Dr Saulala December 26, 2012.

Among his other positions  with the church, he was a member of the Church’s general conference and treasurer for the Church’s Kolomotu’a congregation.

From 1980 to 1984 Dr  Tu’i’onetoa taught economics and accounting at the Church’s Lavengamalie College. He paid for textbooks for the school library, worked after hours from his Government job and went without pay for three years.

In 2008, Dr Tu’i’onetoa and three other church members borrowed TOP$202,600 from the Tong Development Bank to pay for buildings for the Kolomotu’a congregation.

On the day the church was opened he donated TOP$50,000 to pay off the construction loan and paid the TOP$5,000 cultural gift for the Guest of Honor, Noble Vaha’i.

During his membership of the Church,  Dr Tu’i’onetoa contributed an average TOP$5,000 to the Church each year.

The defendant

Rev. Saulala  is the treasurer, as well as the president of the Church. He is also publisher and editor of the Church’s bilingual newspaper Ofa ki Tonga.

The  Church  began  as  the  Tokaikolo  Christian Fellowship, which was founded by the Rev. Senituli Koloi in 1978.

In the mid-1970s, Rev. Koloi, who was then a member of the Free Wesleyan Church and President of the Scripture Union of Tonga, held prayer meetings and gave sermons throughout Tonga, urging listeners to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. This religious concept was new to many Tongans at the time.

After 1978 the Tokaikolo movement was based at ‘Lavengamalie’ in Tofoa left to him by the Piliu family. A college, church hall and other buildings were constructed there.

After Rev. Koloi died, Rev. Saulala claimed that Rev. Koloi had chosen him to lead the movement. From the mid-1980s he began to claim that God wanted him to be leader for life.

The Tokaikolo Christian Fellowship became a Church in 1994 when Rev. Saulala declared himself president of the Tokaikolo Christian Church. In 2007, the Tokaikolo Christian Church’s Board and Constitution were renamed and officially registered under the CharitableTrusts Act (“the Act”) as the Tokaikolo Christian Church International.

Dr Tu’i’onetoa’s writ names the church as the second defendant.

According to its Constitution, the Church is governed by the Council of Elders’ Conference. The Church is made up of country districts that includes ‘districts’ in Tonga, the US, Australia and New Zealand. District meetings are held twice each year for every district of the Church and are presided over by Rev. Saulala.

All congregations on Tongatapu and ‘Eua constitute one district. Districts are made up of village congregations. There are 15 village congregations in Tongatapu and ‘Eua. Kolomotu’a is a village congregation under the Tongatapu district.

In the Tonga 2011 National  Census of Population and Housing, 2,533 Tongans affiliated themselves with the Tokaikolo Church.

In July 2013, the Church split after allegations of sexual impropriety and financial mismanagement were made against Rev. Saulala. Significant numbers of church members left to form a new Church called Mo ‘ui Fo ‘ou ‘Ia Kalaisi under the leadership of the Rev. Sione Maile.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Auditor General, Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, acting in a private capacity,has served a writ on the head of the Tokaikolo Christian Church International, Rev. Liufau Saulala, alleging wrongful dismissal from the church.

  • In his writ, he claims that he was wrongfully dismissed from his position as lay preacher and trainee deacon and wrongfully expelled from the body of the church.

  • In the writ, Dr Tu’i’onetoa claims he was dismissed to stop him questioning the church’s finances.

  • Court documents filed by Dr Tu’i’onetoa include allegations of attempts to get church members to buy quack medicine, failed business ventures, questionable loans, impossible claims about overseas investments and associations with people who were later prosecuted by Australian and American financial authorities.

  • The Tokaikolo Church split last year amidst sexual and financial scandals.

  • Dr Tu’i’onetoa is seeking substantial financial damages.

More information

Tokaikolo church continues its dismissal campaign

Accused Church will be audited

New Zealand Charities Register

Nelson businessman accused of running US$42 million Ponzi scheme

Bus strike called off as government and FIBA negotiate

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

The third day of disruption for thousands of Tongatapu bus passengers has been avoided after the government and FIBA reached a proposed settlement that would allow both parties to return to the negotiation table.

The government has asked FIBA to call-off the strike and resubmit a request it previously made asking the Prime Minister  to exempt buses from consumption tax and custom duty on diesel and spare parts.

Samipeni Finau, president of the Friendly Island Bus Association (FIBA), told Kaniva News they have received a ‘positive response’ from the secretary of the Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Ma’afu.

It is still unclear what exactly government would do in response to FIBA’s request other than telling them to resubmit their request but Finau said they welcome the development.

“Lord Ma’afu’s secretary told me she has on file recommendations the government is willing to reconsider our request on condition that we return to service today,” Finau said in Tongan.

“Just by the sound of what I was told it looks like there will be a bus fare rise or something along that line. But that has to be confirmed when we sit down to negotiate. We had a meeting with all FIBA members and we agreed to return to service today,” Finau added.

FIBA claimed more than 60% of what bus owners earn from bus fares goes to diesel.

Finau said during the two days strike they received mix reactions from the public.

He said many gave their supports while others asked them to return to service as the impact of the strike was greater on them and their children rather than the government.

The strike began on Monday and it continued on yesterday indenting to have been followed by more industrial action if the government would not address FIBA’s request positively, Finau said.

The Prime MInister Lord Tu'ivakano and his Deputy Hon Samiu Vaipulu are currently on overseas trips.

FIBA is the only bus association in Tonga and it has about 100 buses according to Finau.

Two patients die as Chikungunya reaches Tonga

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Tonga’s Ministry of Health has confirmed Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus, has for the first time known to have spread in the kingdom.

There is now a Chikungunya outbreak alert for Tongatapu with an estimate of over 500 patients reported to Vaiola Hospital a day since the disease was confirmed in which over 200 of them had the symptoms of Chikungunya, local media reported.

A number of cases of the virus had been confirmed in ‘Eua and Ha’apai, Dr Siale 'Akau'ola, the Health Director told Radio Tonga.

No signs of the virus registered in the Niuas and Vava'u has only a few, he said.

It was believed the Chikungunya first made landfall in Ha’apai before spreading to the other islands, the Health Director added.

The ministry suspected that two patients died recently were victims of the Chikungunya. However the cause of their death have yet to be confirmed, according to 'Akau'ola.

Currently, there is no treatment for chikungunya fever and the only way to prevent it is to avoid mosquito bites. It is rarely lethal, but it is painful and can cause chronic debilitating joint pain, 'Akau'ola said.

Last month the public health authorities were working to prevent what was believed to be German measles or rubella.

The measles claim was later withdrawn when ‘Akauola told Radio New Zealand it was more likely to be dengue fever, zika or another mosquito-borne virus similar to dengue.

A lab test has confirmed it was Chikungunya.

Key facts

  • Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. It causes fever and severe joint pain. Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.
  • The disease shares some clinical signs with dengue, and can be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common.
  • There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.
  • The proximity of mosquito breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for chikungunya.
  • Since 2004, chikungunya fever has reached epidemic proportions, with considerable morbidity and suffering.
  • The disease occurs in Africa, Asia and the Indian subcontinent. In recent decades mosquito vectors of chikungunya have spread to Europe and the Americas. In 2007, disease transmission was reported for the first time in a localized outbreak in north-eastern Italy.

Tongatapu bus drivers go on strike

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Thousands of Tongatapu bus users could still be disrupted by strike action if the government of Lord Tu’ivakano would not make a positive response to a formal request launched in February 2014 by the ‘Otu Motu Anga’ofa Bus Association asking to remove taxes charged on diesel and spare parts.

Kaniva’s correspondent in Tonga said the strike this morning left thousands of school students, employees and commuters stranded at bus stops as the island grappled with its first such strike in history.

On February 21 the bus association had formally written to Tu'ivakano asking him to intervene and remove the consumption taxes but had since received no reponse.

Samipeni Finau, President of the Bus Association told media today they submitted another letter to the Prime Minister on April 7. The Prime Minister was informed in that letter that all bus operators will go on strike on April 14 until an agreement could be reached.

‘Aholotu Palu, Acting Secretary to Cabinet responded on April 10 and told the Association the Competent Autority advised the Prime Minister against its request, Finau reportedly said.

Kaniva contacted the Prime Minister's Office and it said Tu'ivakano and the Acting Secretary are out of the country.

Submitting the letter to the Prime Minister on February 21, Finau claimed the last bus fare rise was  in October 2008 and since then petroleum prices increased almost every month making it hard for bus owners to meet maintenance and fuel expenses.

Security guard charged over murder of Malapo man

By
Kaniva Pacific
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UPATED: Nuku'alofa – Police today charged a 38-year-old security guard in relation to the death of a 27-year-old man at the Digicel Square in central Nuku’alofa at about 4am, Saturday, April 12.

“Yes there was a death and one arrest,” Police Commissioner Grant O’Fee told Kaniva News this morning.

In a release from Police this afternoon, O'Fee further said, "“Police arrived at the scene and took the victim to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. The cause of death is yet to be officially determined".

The deceased from Malapo,"is alleged to have gotten into a fight with the accused while they were drinking at the CBD Square".

The accused worked as a security guard for the Dataline Company and O'Fee said he will remain in custody until April 28.

Australian PM confident black box of MH370 found

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Searchers scouring the Indian Ocean for Flight MH370 are confident that signals received in the search for MH370 are from the plane's black box, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says.

The West Australian aviation editor, Geoffrey Thomas earlier tweeted: "Black boxes of MH370 may have been found. PM to make announcement at 11.45am [Perth time, 1.45pm AEST]."

However a Prime Minister's staff said this afternoon, "there was no conference planned for 1.45pm".

A spokeswoman for the Joint Agency Coordination Centre, which former Defence chief Angus Houston is heading, would not confirm the reports the black box may have been located.

"There's no further update at this stage," she said. "There's nothing to report."

Mr Houston, the head of the search's Joint Agency Coordination Centre, has previously said authorities believed a number of 'pings' detected by the Australian ship Ocean Shield and and Australia sea patrol aircraft were "from a man-made source".

"The acoustic data will require further analysis overnight but shows potential of being from a man-made source," he said on Thursday night.

The four signals detected since Saturday has seen the search focus honed to about 58,000 square kilometres, from more than 200,000 square kilometres only days ago.

Dr Taufe'ulungaki: my being a non-elected member has been a very sore issue

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

“BEING the only woman in Parliament is not unique to me,” says the Hon. Minister of Education Dr. ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki when speaking to 30 members of the first ever Practice Parliament for Women in Tonga.

Sharing her experience as the only female MP in Parliament, Dr. Taufe’ulungaki says there were others before her including her Royal Highness Princess Siu’ilikutapu and Papiloa Foliaki and others. However the difference is that they were elected and she was not.

“It would not have mattered too much if it were the political structure but in the new political system, where Tonga is moving towards greater representation of the people, my being a non-elected member has been a very sore issue for many of my fellow MPs,” says Dr. ‘Ana Taufe’ulungaki.

She adds MPs object to her presence in the House, not so much because she was a woman, but to the fact that in their perceptions, she came through the back door.

“From their view points, the elected members had sacrificed their time, money, careers, and family life, in pursuit of their political goals. The campaign trail was a long and difficult one for many. Through such pains, they have earned their right to be People’s Representatives, and the right to speak on behalf of their constituencies,” say Dr. Taufe’ulungaki.

She further explains that she understands how the other MPs feel about her and encouraged them never to give up.

"If you wish participate fully in the processes of developing, scrutinizing, submitting, and approving good laws for the development of this country. I can assure you will be welcomed not as a woman, but as a fully deserving member of Parliament. You will have earned the right to be there,” emphasized Dr. Taufe’ulungaki.

She says women are already well equipped to cope with the duties and responsibilities of a parliamentarian. Therefore they do not need to justify themselves to the nation and especially to the men of Tonga that they are capable.

She says she gets upset when people say that women need to practice how to be a parliamentarian, as if a woman by virtue of her biological nature needs special qualifications, other than already specified by law.

“Clause 65 of the Constitution allows anyone who is 21 or more, not a noble, is not insane or has been convicted of a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment for more than two years – to vote in an election or to run for Parliament,” says the non elected MP.

Challenges encountered

Dr. Taufe’ulungaki also shared other challenges she encountered being the only female MP in Parliament.

That includes dealing with the boredom of sitting for long periods and stressing out thinking about the outstanding matters waiting for her in the office that must be dealt with expeditiously.

Another challenge is trying to balance the work of the Ministry and that of Parliament, making adequate time for both and try to do both effectively and efficiently.

Another obstacle she outlines was having enough time to read and absorb the various pieces of legislation that will be debated in the House is another obstacles the Hon. Minister had also encountered. And making attempts to see how each piece is linked to existing legislations and to the Constitution.

She also mentions that coping with the social demands of being a minister an issue.

“Social events demand a great deal from one’s time but these come with the territory. I find this aspect of my life and work quite draining on my energy and personal resources.

Budgeting time for professional and personal development was another problem. Therefore Dr. Taufe’ulungaki advises participants that keeping oneself informed and aware of issues in the country, the region and globally.

“One needs to have access to quality research and support.

She also reveals the importance of support group and quality advice from diverse stakeholders, including donors and development partners. Dr. Taufe’ulungaki mentions that during the Vote of No Confidence period, the support of the Fakatouhama Group was immensely reassuring.

Therefore she stresses that such support groups is needed not just in time of crises but at all times.

The academic scholar also points out the importance of ensuring that one is thoroughly grounded in Tonga’s contexts.

"One’s work is meaningless unless it is thoroughly grounded in the contexts of Tonga. We have to understand our people, our land, our history, culture and heritage, our language, our beliefs and values, who we are, where we come from, and where we would like to be. Unless we have such understandings, our work will be rootless and worthless,” the Hon. Education Minister explains.

Dr. Taufe’ulungaki concludes sharing her experiences with the 30 member of the Practice Parliament by stressing the importance of behaving ethically at all times and an unwavering faith in God’s grace, mercy, love and manifold blessings.

“Ethics is essential to our work and the purposes for which we work. Unless we are ethical beings in every way, we cannot make the difference that we purport to work towards. Transparency, accountability, honest, integrity, truthfulness, are important but so are the values that underpin all our relationship – ‘ofa faka’apa’apa, lototo, mamahi’i me’a, feveitokai’aki and tauhi vaha’a. With such values we cannot go wrong,” says the Hon. Education Minister.

SOURCE: parliament.gov.to

Dr Malakai 'Ake laid to rest

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Nuku’alofa – Health and medical professional, Dr Malakai ‘Ake, 63, was laid to rest Tuesday 8 in Kolomotu’a.  

He served the government of Tonga’s ministry of health for more than 30 years in which he became the Ministry's Chief Medical Officer before it was revealed he had cancer.

Born on 28 May 1951, ‘Ake was the fourth in seven siblings.

His parents Taniela and Matelita ‘Ake of Kolomotu’a resided in Fiji.

‘Ake was adopted by his paternal aunt, ‘Aulola who married his adoptive father Vili Molofaha of Talau, Neiafu, Vava’u.

They named him as Sione Pusiaki a name 'Ake was widely known with to most Tongans.

He went to Tonga High School and also educated overseas including Singapore where he was awarded with his Masters.

Ake is specially remembered as a person who welcome anyone who sought his medical assistance anytime whether in hospital, his residence or even in public places.

“He was a man of honour,” a tribute read during his funeral service says.

 Yesterday his funeral service at Saione Church was led by FWC President Dr ‘Ahio, attended by His Royal Highness Prince Tupouto’a and members of the Royal Family.

The Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano also attended with senior members from government.

‘Ake is survived by his wife Nanuma Finau of Houma, Tongatapu with their seven children.  

Featured image by Paula Moimoi Latu

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