Petitioners fasting and praying

Hunger strike or publicity stunt? - Samiu Sika: Please excuse my ignorance, but would removing the Prime Minister and his deputy from office end domestic violence in Tonga? I was stunned by an article on Radio New Zealand International about a hunger strike by some women leaders in Tonga. Here is part of the article; “The congress maintains domestic violence has risen under Dr Feleti Sevele's leadership and it's criticised his handling of the Princess Ashika disaster.”
I can understand some logic in arguing about the Ashika disaster though irrelevant, but with domestic violence is just absurd. I think the women should rethink their approach. Should they be fasting and praying for a solution to put an end to domestic violence rather than pointing fingers? Or is this just a publicity stunt? - Samiu Sika

What happened to Democracy? - Tevita Tapu:
Last time I looked we were heading for our first democratic elections next year … has this changed?

I read with interest how Mele, the food technician, has gone on a fast because she wants the PM and Deputy PM to be replaced, right now, with one of three Nobles.

I’m sorry Mele but Democracy means that I (not you) get to choose who I vote for.

Mele has decided to stop eating until she gets her way and this appears to be rather childish and attention seeking. I think Mele may end up being rather skinny before this happens. Actions like this serve to try to preempt the elections that we are all waiting for. It shows an ignorance of the democratic process and peoples right to choose their representatives in Govt and, instead, attempts to force certain results on people prior to the elections.

I accept that people like Mele have the freedom to protest in this fashion. But that is her choice. Let fair elections decide what all the people want. - Tevita Tapu