Status of honesty and Integrity in parliament [1]
Friday, December 24, 2010 - 17:46. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Editor,
AS a first time writer to your website, I should acknowledge the standard and professional image Matangi Tonga gives the Tongan media fraternity. The country has had its fair share of unpleasant media attention over the past couple of years, so it is reassuring to Tonga's international image that we can boast of a free media environment and the media operators who take this responsibility seriously.
In response to Salote Tu'ipulotu's letter headed "TRL suffers the consequences of illegal import," of 9 December 2010, I must say the letter's last paragraph destroyed the seemingly "concerned citizen" motivation it implied in the remainder of the letter.
The comparison of Parliamentarians needing to possess honesty and integrity with the Chairman of TRL, was at the least interesting. If we go by the current line-up of 26 Parliamentarians as the test, there are 2 Nobles under criminal charges awaiting the Courts decision; 8 Parliamentarians linked to the burning of Nuku'alofa in 2006; 4 Parliamentarians of the current Government should have known the disregard for due process and usurping proper authority allowed the unnecessary Ashika tragedy and deaths of many Tongans. Now, that short summary says 14 of the 26 already have a clouded past regarding their values and competence as the country's law makers and leaders. But going by Ms. Tu'ipulotu's assessment, as long as you don't import alcohol illegally (with importation of firearms and drugs apparently ok, and torching Nuku'alofa CBD apparently ok also, if we go by the current Parliamentarians), then you pass the honesty and integrity test for a law maker of the country? Is this the type of voting mentality that put politicians in office?
What I took from the TRL Chairman's letter was that - TRL received wine in the form of a gift from an overseas winery; an agreement made between TRL and the Minister for Revenue for TRL to receive the wine in stages; after commencing this legally sanctioned arrangement Customs reneged on their part and called it illegal importation then destroyed the wine. Not sure where in this situation the assessment of TRL acting dishonestly comes into play? But who knows, I'm just an ordinary citizen hoping the new Government can stabilize Tonga's economic situation and develop prosperity for all. For this task, yes we do need Parliamentarians not only with honesty and integrity, but more importantly, also the 'know-how' in getting the job done, courage for sacrificing popularity to make the right but tough decisions, and enough compassion for improving people's livelihoods to look beyond the 4 year term in office.
Sincerely,
'Etuate Finau
etuatefinau [at] gmail [dot] com ( etuatefinau [at] gmail [dot] com)