The King and PM deliberate on Fineasi report [1]
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 17:01. Updated on Thursday, June 12, 2014 - 21:16.
The Government Auditor-General's report on the alleged misuse of funds by the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Fineasi Funaki is still with the Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele who is back in his office this week.
The Minister of Information, Hon 'Afu'alo Matoto, confirmed today, that the report, which is "very lengthy" was still with the Prime Minister and had not been submitted to the Tongan Cabinet, as claimed by one of the local papers.
'Afu'alo said the report did not have to be submitted to Cabinet for deliberation, "because it has nothing to do with it. The report can be left for the Prime Minister and His Majesty to deliberate on."
'Afu'alo said there was still work to be done with the report before it could be released to the public.
He said that because the report is lengthy if anything was released to the public it would be a summary of the report. "But at this point no time has been given on when the outcome of the report will be released."
PM returns
Paula Ma'u the Deputy Secretary of the Prime Minister's office also confirmed today that as far as he knew the report had been with the Prime Minister since it was handed to him on Monday, March 3.
Paula had no recollection of the report being submitted to cabinet last week, as claimed. But he confirmed that the PM, who returned from the Pacific Trade Expo in Auckland last week, left for 'Eua on Friday March 7 for the inauguration of a new water supply system for the island.
The Prime Minister is back in office this week.