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

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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.

FIDP calls for consensus cabinet

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THE Friendly Islands Democratic Party (FIDP) has called for a consensus type of Parliament in the Kingdom of Tonga, as parliament members prepare to vote for a Prime Minister.

Members are lobbying for proposals for a Prime Minister, after the country's historic election last month which saw FIDP rack up to 12 of the 17 popular elected seats in Parliament, with only 31% of the votes. One FIDP MP has broken off from the party, bringing down their seats to eleven, while the major titled traditional families or the Hou'eiki" hold another nine seats, bringing the total seats in parliament to 26.

Proposals for Prime Minister are being submitted to the Interim Speaker of Parliament, Lord Tupou. The vote will be held next Monday.

Cabinet is another check that mustn’t always agree: Vaipulu

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VAVA ‘U popular elected MP Samiu Vaipulu reminded members of the House of the Kingdom of Tongthat Cabinet should not always agree with Parliament and with each other, as a checking mechanism defending the Constitution.

“If the Parliament pass a Constitution amendment three times, Cabinet should be unanimous in voting on it. But if there is a single vote of dissention, then it is enough to stop that amendment,” said Samiu.

Chinese deny meddling with local politics

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THE Chinese Embassy has categorically denied any involvement of its mission with local politics following allegations that the Ambassador supported one Parliamentary candidate’s campaign.

Mr. Rui Yi, the Ambassador’s Secretary, says the mission has fundamental directives of avoiding meddling with local politics. “We have no intention of interfering with the local affairs of a country, and that is a policy true to all Chinese missions abroad,” said Mr. Yi.

The statement follows allegations made by another “pro-democracy” candidate Akilisi Pohiva that the Ambassador Wang Donghua attended a meeting in Houma village supporting that electorate’s candidate, Saia Moehau.

Pohiva said to Radio New Zealand, and elaborated in his paper, Kele‘a, that Donghua also promised assistance to the electorate.

But Mr. Yi says the Ambassador knew nothing of an election campaign staged at the event he was attending. “The Ambassador was attending a farewell function for Her Royal Highness Pilolevu Tuita who was to leave for America, San Francisco. We know nothing of any campaign, and the Ambassador did not support any campaign or candidate,” said Mr. Yi.

HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita is Chairperson of the Tonga China Friendship Association, and the alleged candidate Saia Moehau is a board member of the organization.

Mr. Yi said the members of TCFA organized a farewell function for the Princess for her pending departure, and the Ambassador was invited. The allegations made by Pohiva have stirred concern among the public, not only due to the relationship between the diplomatic corps, and also the Royal family’s, involvement in politics.