Hon. Fusitu’a missed “corruption” exposition [1]
Thursday, November 12, 2015 - 04:36. Updated on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 - 10:06.
Editor,
Hon. Lord Fusitu’a squandered a great opportunity this week to make history for Tonga on the world stage. He took center stage yesterday (5 November) at the Conference of State Parties (CoSP) in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.
Had the stage been reversed with Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva as Tongan Head of Delegation, with a government he opposed, Mr. Pōhiva would have used the opportunity to expose on the world stage the greatest “corruption scandal” in government's and parliament's history with the recent Hon. Minister ‘Etuate Lavulavu.
Hon. Fusitu’a told delegates at the CoSP convention that Tonga is well ahead of the UN’s Pacific Regional Anti-corruption Project. Furthermore, the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) has been recognized for their initiatives in the Pacific.
These high-crimes in government’s highest level deserve exposition at the highest level on the world stage. The good-old-boys network in the Cabinet are protecting each other’s hind side without challenge from a credulous population.
Hon. Lord Fusitu’a was at the center of the Hon. Lavulavu’s scandal, who deserved expulsion from parliament had it not for Prime Minister Pōhiva and his pro-democracy outlaws: the “Gang of 12” who voted to forgive Hon. Lavulavu’s corruption crimes, and keep his legislative seat.
Hon. Fusitu’a would have not come home to a hero’s welcome, but he would have exposed the corruptions impeded in the Tongan Government’s culture of disregard for the rule of law. Hon. Fusitu’a would have acted statesmanlike, a leader who puts protocols aside to expose the truth!
Sione A. Mokofisi
Moana University