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TASANOC proposes compromise to end deadlock over removal of Lord Sevele

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga’s national sporting body, TASANOC, has proposed a compromise to end the standoff between the government and Pacific Games Council.

The two bodies have been at loggerheads over the government’s decision to remove Lord Sevele of Vailahi as Chief Executive Officer of Tonga’s Games Organising Committee.

Tonga is due to host the Pacific Games in 2019.

Lord Sevele’s removal was approved by a majority of members of the government’s Audit and Governance Authority.

In a statement released yesterday, TASANOC said Lord Sevele’s removal was not done for personal reasons.

The national sporting body said it wanted to settle any doubts about the games so that it could get on with preparing Tonga’s athletes and building the Games facilities.

TASANOC has proposed a 45 day performance review of the Tongan Games organising committee as a way of ensuring the committee met the requirements of the 2012 Host Contract and the Pacific Games Organisation Act 2013.

It said this would ensure the committee was fully accountable and transparent.

A statement from TASANOC, attributed to Acting President/Senior Vice President ‘Ahongalu Fusimalohi and Interim Chief Executive Officer/Executive Member Emeline Tuita, said it was necessary to bring the focus back to Tonga’s national sports interests.

The statement said the Games facilities would be completed in time regardless of whether the Games were hosted in the Kingdom or not.

“TASANOC fully supports the Authority’s position that it is intolerable for them to accept that their attempts to ensure good governance, accountability and transparency of the  Organising Committee, a role that is legislated to the Authority, is being perceived by the Pacific Games Council as political interference and implied to be a material breach of the Host Contract,” the statement said.

It said that while the Pacific Games Council retained overall control of the Games, the host country and its organising committee were responsible for staging the Games.

“It is our fervent hope that the Pacific Games Council will view our joint efforts as being the optimal solution to protect the integrity of organization and staging of the Games,” the TASANOC statement said.

“The status of the Organising Committee as an independent statutory body is not and has never been in question, but its decisions and activities must stand on the principles of good governance, accountability and transparency and this must be demonstrated to the Authority as the legal overseer of the Organising Committee.”

The main points

  • Tonga’s national sporting body, TASANOC, has proposed a compromise to end the standoff between the government and Pacific Games Council.
  • The two bodies have been at loggerheads over the government’s decision to remove Lord Sevele of Vailahi as Chief Executive Officer of Tonga’s Games Organising Committee.
  • In a statement released yesterday, TASANOC said Lord Sevele’s removal was not done for personal reasons.
  • The national sporting body said it wanted to settle any doubts about the games so that it could get on with preparing Tonga’s athletes and building the Games facilities.

For more information

Sports Minister breaks silence over Games row, tells RNZI loss “would be a blow” (Kaniva News)

Government would welcome losing 2019 Games if PGC supports Lord Sevele (Kaniva News)

Ministry predicts three percent growth in kingdom’s economy, but challenges remain

By
Philip Cass
-

Tonga can look forward to economic growth of three percent a year for the next three years, according to the kingdom’s 2016-17 budget.

The Ministry believes that preparations for the 2019 Pacific Games, along with number of other large projects, will support further growth.

According to the Budget Statement 2016-17, growth will be supported in the short term by a number of major events and building projects, including the Tupou College 150th anniversary and the Mormon church’s centenary.

However, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning has warned that a range of external factors could affect the kingdom’s economy and growth is expected to slow this financial year.

The kingdom remains deeply in debt to the Chinese EXIM Bank.

The cost of commodities like oil have fallen, with inflation falling as a result. In recent years the kingdom has faced high domestic inflation driven by difficulties in the agriculture sector resulting from the El Nino drought.

Remittances continue to be a critical source of income, contributing some 28 percent to disposable income, linked to the expansion of the overseas worker programs.

The Ministry of Finance has warned that growth in Tonga is highly dependent on the conditions of its main trading partner economies, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

The Ministry also warned that while activity in the construction sector will help drive the economy, the timing of these construction projects is uncertain, and delays are possible.

Global commodity prices, including food and oil, are expected to remain relatively stable, but if they increase, this will increase costs of production, raise inflation, and could  reduce household disposable income

Tonga remains highly vulnerable to extreme natural events and climatic change.

The Total Cash Appropriation in the budget is $327.7 million. When in-kind support is included, the total budget covering recurrent and development is $545.1 million.

Total revenue estimated for 2016/17 is $500.2 million. This is made up of  $234.0 million from tax and non-tax revenue and $266.2 million from grants. Total expense, for 2016/17, is estimated at $346.1 million. The single largest item remains government wages at $139.2 million. The gross operating balance is a surplus of $154.0 million.

Following the change in Tonga’s debt status, the government has started to borrow on concessional terms for budget support and a few critical infrastructure projects. Domestic borrowing (through bonds) has also recommenced to provide funding for private sector initiatives of providing low cost loans.

The government expects that high priority projects will help stimulate economic development. The Ministry said the Government recognised the importance of ensuring that these projects are implemented successfully.

The construction of the facilities for the Pacific Games would be among the high impact projects. The Ministry said tank Farm project would increase the national capacity for storage of fuel, realizing economy of scale and cost saving for the economy.

Other projects focusing on improved transport and energy infrastructure include:

  • New Ministry of Fisheries to drive growth of this key sector
  • Nuku’alofa Beautification and National Park Projects
  • New Faua Extension and Domestic Terminal Wharf
  • Teufaiva Stadium Reconstruction
  • Fua’amotu and Lupepau’u Airport Upgrade and Renovations
  • St George Building and Tonga High School Phase II Reconstructions
  • Renewable Energy Investments

Total public debt June 30 2016 is projected to be $454 million. This is 55 percent of GDP, with external debt making up 90% of the total debt.

Nearly two thirds of this is owed to the Chinese EXIM Bank. The debt service is estimated at 2.6 percent of GDP for both domestic and foreign loan for 2015/16.

The main points

  • Tonga can look forward to economic growth of three percent a year for the next three years, according to the kingdom’s 2016-17 budget.
  • According to the Budget Statement 2016-17 preparations for the 2019 Pacific Games, along with number of other large projects, will support further growth.
  • However, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning has warned that a range of external factors could affect the kingdom’s economy and growth is expected to slow this financial year.
  • The kingdom also remains deeply in debt to the Chinese EXIM Bank.

Samoa’s Talofa Airways eyes Tonga as potential destination

By
Kalino Latu
-

A new locally-owned Samoa airline, Talofa Airways has been assessing the kingdom as potential destination.

The Airline Advisor, Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter told the Samoa Observer yesterday the Tongan authority has “endorsed it and they want the service”.

Tonga Civil Aviation could not be immediately reached for comments.

However, Hunter said they were in Tonga during the Independence holidays to negotiate with the Tongan Department of Transport.

“We are waiting for the permit and for them to go through their system before we set the starting date to fly.”

Degree courses to be offered at Tonga’s Institute of Nursing

By
Kalino Latu
-

Work is now underway to upgrade the nursing courses at the Queen Salote Institute of Nursing and Allied Health so that nursing students could study for a degree in nursing.

The highest qualification the institute has currently offered is a diploma in nursing and it has been taught since the last eight years.

The diploma programme was academically supported and assisted by the Auckland University of Technology.

The Minister of Health Saia Piukala said they are planning to start the degree programme in the next three years.

Piukala said the move is one of the Ministry’s attempts for local nurses to meet the latest international standards in nursing.

The Minister said the degree programme means a great benefit not only for the nurses and the Ministry but for the public as well.

Last week 51 diplomats from the nursing institute were graduated with various qualifications at the Queen Sālote Memorial Hall in Nuku’alofa.

Thirty-four nurses were graduated with Diplomas of Nursing (Level 5), six graduates were awarded with Certificates in Environmental Health and 11 graduates received their Diplomas of Pharmacy (Level 5).

World Rugby releases funds to Tonga Rugby

By
Kalino Latu
-

The World Rugby has released TP$532,890.00 (£165,000) to help fund the Tongan rugby union.

The money was part of the TP$1.25 million (£390,000.00) the World Rugby has promised to give Tonga for the current fiscal year.

This would be split into TP$968, 891 (£300,000) for High Performance programme and TP$290, 667 (£90,000.00) for the development programme.

Feʻao Vunipola, the TRU interim CEO said: “Around 60-70% of High Performance funds are for the Ikaletahi with the rest for the other teams and HP posts”.

The funds for the development programme will cover local games including “Get Into Rugby programmes, TAG Rugby and  Coach Education”

“TRU is grateful to our Government for their timely help that funds are now being released by World Rugby and although it was cut due to poor governance in previous years, take the view that it could have been worse”. Vunipola said.

Meanwhile the ʻIkaletahi team is in Fiji for the Pacific Nations Cup and they will face Fiji at 3pm Saturday at the ANZ Stadium.

Supreme Court frees American man waiting for extradition on fraud scheme charges

By
Philip Cass
-

An American man wanted for fraud in the United States has been freed by the Supreme Court in Tonga.

Lord Chief Justice Paulsen set aside a magistrate’s court ruling that Antone Thomas Pedras be held  in custody until he was extradited to the US.

Pedras, also known as Chris Pedras and Christopher A.T. Pedras, was wanted on charges of defrauding investors  of  more than  USS$5 million.

The United States has sought his extradition from Tonga under the  Extradition Act  so he could stand trial on 11 counts of wire  fraud,   which  is  an offence against Title  18,  United States Code, section   1343.

On 19 April 2016 the Magistrates’ Court made  an  order  that  Pedras be committed to await his return to the United States  of America to stand trial on April 19.

Pedras sought to have the decision overturned by application for habeus corpus under section 10  of the Act.

In essence, extradition is allowed if the crime of which the person is accused in one country can be shown to be also a crime in another. This is termed a relevant offence.

The Crown claimed that  wire  fraud  was  a  relevant  offence  because  it was “the same  or  similar  to  the  offence  of  obtaining  by false  pretences under section  164 of the  Criminal  Offences Act.”

Section 164 says that “Every person who by any false pretence obtains for himself or for any other person any money, valuable  security  or other  thing whatever  shall be liable to the same punishment as if he had committed    theft.”

Lord Chief justice Paulsen rejected this argument.

“The  requirements   in  section   1343  that  the  accused   devised   or  is intending  to  devise  any  scheme  or  artifice  to  defraud  and  makes  a transmission  by  wire  (which  I shall  use  as  shorthand  for  wire,  radio or    television    communication)     are    absent    from    section     164,” the judge said.

“The   requirement   in   section   164   that   the   accused obtains  for  himself  or  another  any  money,  valuable  security  or  other thing  is  not  present  in section  1343,  where  the  offence  is completed upon  the  making  of  the  transmission  by  wire  regardless  of  whether the fraudulent  scheme  or artifice  profits the accused.

“The  offence of obtaining by false pretences under section 164 requires that it be proved that the accused has by making the false pretence obtained some money, valuable security or other thing.”

This  was  not a requirement of the offence of wire fraud under section 1343.

The judge therefore set aside  the  order  committing  Mr.  Pedras  to  custody  for  return  to the   United   States   of   America   to   stand   trial and he was immediately released.

The main points

  • An American man wanted for fraud in the United States has been freed by the Supreme Court in Tonga.
  • Lord Chief Justice Paulsen set aside a magistrate’s court ruling that Antone Thomas Pedras be held in custody until he was extradited to the US.
  • Pedras, also known as Chris Pedras and Christopher A.T. Pedras, was wanted on charges of defrauding investors of  more than  USS$5 million.
  • The United States has sought his extradition from Tonga under the Extradition Act  so he could stand trial on 11 counts of wire  fraud,   which  is  an offence against Title  18,  United States Code, section

Pōhiva’s warning may come true as China pressures Pacific nations over Spratleys dispute

By
Philip Cass
-

Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva warned in 2013 that Tonga’s indebtedness to China would one day make the kingdom vulnerable to pressure from the communist giant.

Now that prediction may come true as China seeks to pressure Pacific islands nations into supporting its claims to the Spratley islands in the South China Sea.

China lent Tonga $US60 million to rebuild of Nukuʻalofa after the  riots in 2006.

Repayments on the loan were due in September 2013, but China agreed to an indefinite delay.

Kaniva News reported in early December of that year that he told a Tongan audience in Auckland: “Our hands and feet have already been tied.”

“We are now in a very difficult position to make any choice because failure to pay the loan would give China a chance to make a choice,” Hon. Pohiva told Radio New Zealand a few weeks later.

“Whatever China will need Tonga to do – that’s what will happen.”

At the time the future Prime Minister suggested China could ask Tonga to allow it to establish a naval base in the kingdom, but now it appears Tonga could be in line for the same kind of pressure to support China’s claim to the Spratleys that has been applied to other island nations.

According to a recent report in the Sydney Morning Herald, China has put pressure on Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea to win their backing in the dispute over the Spratleys.

The islands, a collection of reefs and sandbanks, are claimed by both the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as China.

China has anchored a large naval taskforce over the islands group and has built an artificial island  and airstrip and threatens passing aircraft that they are in Chinese airspace.

Neither Vietnam, which China briefly invaded in 1979, or the Philippines, has the military strength to drive China out.

The Philippines sent a group of marines to occupy an abandoned hulk on one of the Spratley reefs to establish its claims to the islands.

So why should the Chinese want the islands, and why should Tonga be involved?

The Spratleys sit next to one of the busiest sea lanes in the world, through which billions of tonnes of oil and gas are carried every year. Controlling the area would be of vital importance to China if it wanted to exert its influence in South East Asia.

They are also in a major fisheries areas and there are competing claims about whether or not they sit on top of gas or oil reserves. Under international law countries can claim an exclusive economic zone around their territory, which would cause major problems for neighbouring countries and international traffic.

China launched its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning in 2012 and sent it to the disputed area during its sea trials.

The prospect of the Chinese possessing a carrier battle group – and speculation that China is planning to launch five more carriers – caused an immediate reaction in Washington, with the establishment of a major US Marine Corps base near Darwin in northern Australia and a thawing of relations with New Zealand.

China is extremely serious about keeping the Spratleys and claiming control of the area. However, like all countries she is subject to international law and needs to maintain at least a façade of respectability about her actions.

This means that while she builds airbases and shows off her military capability, she also has to play a diplomatic game and guarantee that she can rely on countries to vote her way in international fora.

That is why Tonga, and other Pacific islands may now find that China will call in all the favours it has done for the island states.

Vanuatu has already pledged its support, but Fiji recently repudiated a claim that it supported China. Samoa and Tonga are particularly vulnerable to pressure from China because of their financial dealings.

In a press release posted on its website under the heading “Uphold Peace and Prosperity in South China Sea,” the Chinese embassy in Tonga claimed the Spratleys had been Chinese territory “since ancient times.”

Both China and Taiwan use a mixture of diplomatic and financial pressure to build alliances in the Pacific, where often very poor island states are vulnerable to offers of easy loans or construction projects.

However, the price of those loans and new roads or bridges is usually to push the island nations into supporting either China or Taiwan in international venues such as the United Nations, where the votes of small nations are often vital.

The Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Nauru all have diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The main points

  • Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva warned in 2013 that Tonga’s indebtedness to China would one day make the kingdom vulnerable to pressure from the communist giant.
  • Now that prediction may come true as China seeks to pressure Pacific islands nations into supporting its claims to the Spratley islands in the South China Sea.
  • The Spratleys sit next to one of the busiest sea lanes in the world, through which billions of tonnes of oil and gas are carried every year.
  • Controlling the area would be of vital importance to China if it wanted to exert its influence in South East Asia.

For more information

South China Sea dispute: China is trading aid for support for claims (Sydney Morning Herald)

Tonga’s Akilisi Pohiva ponders China’s price for loan to grant deal (RNZI)

Uphold Peace and Prosperity in South China Sea (Chinese embassy, Tonga)

Chinese premier pledges to advance ties with Tonga (Xinhua)

What’s behind Beijing’s drive to control the South China Sea? (The Guardian)

China’s ‘gift’ troubles new Prime Minister (Nikkei Asian Review)

‘Akilisi Pohiva: Tonga is lost to China (Kaniva News)

Spratly Islands Reef Madness (ABC Foreign Correspondent)

Brisbane raises $22,236.90 for Tongan Olympian

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The Brisbane Tongan Community has raised AUD$22,236.90 in a fund raising concert for Brisbane-based Tongan Olympian – Pita Taufatofua on 3 June 2016.

Bringing together a cross-section of organisations, businesses and individuals from Brisbane’s Tongan, Samoan and Pasifika communities, the night was a huge success bringing together a non-stop program of cultural performances, entertainment and taekwondo demonstrations at the Tongan Uniting Church Hall in Highgate Hill.

Some of the Pasifika organisations that contributed or performed items on the night included the Pacific Beatz, Samoa Victim Support Group (QLD), Imex Money Transfer, Digicel Pacific, QLD Tonga Netball, Pasifika Women’s Alliance, Pacific Islands Reference Group, Radio 4EB FM Tongan Program, Highgate Hill ‘Park Church’ Tongan Uniting Church Youth and the Fo‘i‘one‘one Kava Club. The rest of the night brought together young and old to celebrate, support and cheer Pita on.

Pita Taufatofua qualified at the recent Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea winning gold and the opportunity to represent the Kingdom of Tonga in taekwondo at the upcoming OIympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 5 to 21 of August 2016.

According to Brisbane Tongan journalist, Sulieni Layt, the idea for the fundraiser night was first conceived when Sulieni and his colleague Mele Ngauamo conducted a radio interview with Pita and his coach, taekwondo master Paula Sitapa, on the Radio 4EB FM – Voice of Tonga program.

“We were inspired by Pita’s story and his dream of representing the Kingdom of Tonga at the Olympic Games, despite the many challenges and barriers he had encountered along the way,” Sulieni said.

“Perhaps what resonated most with us was his Christian faith and determination, combined with the fact that he is essentially self-funded,” he added.

Given Pita’s father, Pita Taufatofua Sr, heralds from Kotu in Ha‘apai, the organisers approached the Brisbane Fo‘i‘one‘one Kava Club who were more than enthusiastic to assist in hosting the packed concert to provide Pita and his coach with some much-needed financial relief in reaching their Olympic dream, whilst providing a platform that united the Tongan and greater multicultural communities of Brisbane.

A special guest included the Acting High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Tonga from Canberra, Mr. Leonaitasi Kuluni, who represented the Tongan Government and the current Tonga High Commissioner, HRH Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku‘aho.

The organisers are forever grateful to those individuals who donated their time and services on the night, not to mention the overwhelming support from the Brisbane Tongan and Samoan communities. Together they join forces to wish Pita Taufatofua all the best at Rio 2016!

New chairman for Tonga’s whole house committee

By
Alpha Latu
-

Penisimani Fifita the MP for Tongatapu 9 constituency has been elected in Parliament today as the new chairman of the Whole House Committee.

He got 13 votes against the Haʻapai 12 MP Vili Hingano who only got 9 votes.

“Meanwhile the former Chairperson of the Whole House Committee Semisi Sika was sworn in as the new Minister of Tourism and Infrastructure”, a statement from Tonga’s Legislative Assembly said.

Fifita was a former government teacher and tutor at high schools before he was first elected to Parliament in 2014.

The king opened the Legislative Assembly last Thursday.

Candidates should not buy votes, by-election candidate Siale says ahead of July poll

By
Kalino Latu
-

A candidate for Vavaʻu 16 by-election is calling on potential candidates to respect the rule of law and refrain from buying voters’ votes.

ʻIpeni Siale told Kaniva News voters should understand their votes could be void if they were made because of bribery or any illegal activities.

Voters should vote according to their “will and conscience,” Siale said.

The by-election will be held on July 14.

The Vavaʻu 16 by-election was called after MP ʻEtuate Lavulavu lost his Parliamentary seat after he was convicted of committing bribery during the 2014 election campaign.

Siale said he believed the only way to build the nation was through “honesty” and “trust in God”.

He was nominated to run for the Democratic Party in the 2014 election.

He came third with 346 votes compared to Lavulavu’s 767.

Siale said bribery by other candidates was the most difficult issue he faced while he was campaigning in 2014.

The Democratic Party has not announced who it is going to nominate for the upcoming by-election, but Siale said he would discuss the issue with Party leader and Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.

Siale said he would return to Tonga next week.

The Election Office has not officially announced the registration date for the candidates.

Tonga does not have a party system, but candidates can declare themselves to be a party if they want to campaign together and address specific political issues.

Siale was a strong supporter of Pohiva and the Democratic movement in Tonga.

He was elected to Parliament in 1997, but lost his seat because he was sued for running for Parliament without a Tongan passport. He moved to the United States where he lives with his family.

The Party

The Democratic Party won only nine seats in the last election. However, five of the independent candidates joined it after the election, making it the majority to become the government and elect the Prime Minister.

However, turmoil erupted within the Party after leader ‘Akilisi Pōhiva’s newspaper Kele’a ran a controversial list of candidates that dumped some of the key Party MP including Sione Taione and Sitiveni Halapua.

The Party’s Deputy Leader, ‘Isileli Pulu, immediately appeared on Kaniva News and blasted the paper’s list, saying it was not endorsed by the party and it was just made up by Pohiva’s son-in-law who was the then editor of the paper.

Pulu was included in the paper’s list, but he and another party MP Falisi Tupou were later removed from the list after they repeatedly appeared on media and criticised Pōhiva for endorsing the list his paper had published.

Of all the candidates the paper listed for Niuas, Haʻapai and Vavaʻu, only the Haʻapai 13 candidate was elected to Parliament.

The main points

  • A candidate for Vavaʻu 16 by-election is calling on potential candidates to respect the rule of law and refrain from buying voters’ votes.
  • ʻIpeni Siale told Kaniva News voters should understand their votes could be void if they were made because of bribery or any illegal activities.
  • Voters should vote according to their “will and conscience,” Siale said.
  • The by-election will be held on July 14.

For more information

King revokes ʻEtuate Lavulavu as Minister of Tourism (Kaniva News)

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