Security Analyst: "Serious Gaps" In Tongan Security (Letter to The Editor)

Dear Editor,


As a security expert, it was my job to identify gaps in a defensive system. It could be for an individual, corporation, or nation. I was recently lucky enough to visit the Kingdom of Tonga. Due to my background, though on holiday, I couldn’t help but notice substantial gaps in the security system of the nation.


There are two types of security: Hard security, and Soft security. Hard security is what is normally thought of when security is mentioned –  for example the military. Tonga’s hard security is good. The staff of the Tongan military is exemplary - well trained, dedicated, and loyal. It could be better equipped, but just about every military on the planet will say the same thing.

Tongan military is " exemplary - well trained, dedicated, and loyal"

Soft security, according to one definition, is designed to: “protect the system and its users from harm, in gentle and unobtrusive ways”.
Assuming the system is Tongan governance, and the users are the citizens of Tonga, this is where there are serious gaps in the security of the nation.

Severe mismanagement issues in government enterprises

© Tevita Motulalo

Hon. Clive Edwards, Minister for Public Enterprises and Revenue exiting the Directors of Ent. workshop yesterday at Moulton Hall. Trailing from behind is Ministry CEO Inoke Vala.

Severe losses and asset depreciation because of fraud and mismanagement is “unbelievable” in government’s 13 State-Owned Enterprises, according to Minister for Public Enterprises and Revenue Hon. Clive Edwards.

Hon. Edwards identified Waste Authority Ltd and Tonga Timber Ltd as landing the two highest operational losses of more than a million pa’anga for the previous fiscal year.

He said 8 of the 13 businesses operated at a loss.

“The full extent of losses cannot be properly determined through lack of proper records. There is high suspicion of fraudulent mismanagement and possible collusion amongst the staff,” the Minister stated.

He also said that Directors of Tonga Timber are not involved in the mismanagement allegations.

“The Directors may have been misled by the reports put before them,” he said.

He also touched on the issue of the national hotel, Janful International Dateline, which the Tongan government has 49% of the shares: “As a minority shareholder we are not responsible for its management and operation and it is of considerable concern how that enterprise is managed in Tonga. Appropriate action is being taken to rectify the problem it is facing with the hotel.”

Edwards compiled a compliance list of government businesses, recording business plans, half-yearly plans, annual reports, and audited reports.

“Out of the 13 Public Enterprises that we have, 7 have a nil complying record. The others comply but not fully,” he said.

Minister warns Chinese of corruption

© Tevita Motulalo 

COMMERCE and Industries Minister Lisiate ‘Akolo summoned the Chinese business community to his office for a conference to discuss issues affecting the business sector, especially in light of recent revelations in the media of corruption involving the Chinese.

“I have to ask you to stop it. It doesn’t help any of us,” he said to the more than hundred business people attending.

He stated that about $20 to $30 million pa‘anga is lost in government revenue due to corruption.

“Using false invoicing, or double invoicing is illegal,” stated the Minister.

“Whether rightly or wrongly, many Tongan businesses perceive the Chinese as being corrupt,” he said.

Lord Prime Minister works hard to form a people’s Cabinet

© Tevita Motulalo

THE Kingdom of Tonga's first Prime Minister nominated by a majority popular elected Parliament, Lord Tu‘ivakano, is trying tirelessly to form his new Cabinet, comprising of a majority of people’s representatives.

Long time MP ‘Isileli Pulu, is said to have agreed the take up the “Minister for Revenue” portfolio in Tu‘ivakano’s Cabinet. He is one of the leading names in 'Akilisi Pohiva’s Friendly Island Democratic Party,

Lord Fakafanua broke the news today following further meetings between the PM and MPs. He has been the spokesman for the alliance of free MPs (which includes the Nobles) during the campaign for the nomination for the Prime Minister.