Absolute Monarchy's days are numbered - six months [1]
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 - 06:00. Updated on Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 00:00.
Editor,
Mr Lopeti Senituli must know that the present system of which he speaks (The King appoints the judges . . . 03 May 2010) makes King George Tupou V an "Absolute Monarch" instead of Tonga being a "Constitutional Monarchy."
The Tongan Constitution Part II - Form of Government, Clause 30 reads: The Government of this Kingdom is divided in three Bodies (Parliament of Tonga, 2010; Latukefu, 1975) -
1st. The King Privy Council and Cabinet (Ministry);
2nd. The Legislative Assembly;
3rd. The Judiciary.
Democratic Transformation Changes
Inquiring minds are asking: With the King appointing judges, doesn't it subject the Judiciary to the will of the King and Cabinet? With due respect, Mr. Senituli knows very well that the days of the status quo are numbered - six months.
This is why the "democratic transformation" is taking place: to follow the mandate of the Constitution. The King has made great progress towards following the Constitution. The new democratic era of Modern Tonga requires a more egalitarian society, one where power is shared equally by all three "Bodies" of Government.
Judiciary to be Independent
But it seems Mr. Senituli, the Cabinet, and the Ministry seem to prefer keeping all the power to themselves. By subjecting the Judiciary to King's appointees, His Majesty becomes an "Absolute Monarch."
To follow the Constitution (as in the American system of Three Branches of Government), the Legislative Assembly (Congress) must certify Chief Judges recommended by the Cabinet. In so doing, the Judiciary is independent of the Cabinet's dictatorial power.
Furthermore, the people's representatives also have a voice in the selection of their judges. Tonga will truly become a more egalitarian Constitutional Kingdom, and not an Absolute Monarchy.
References: Parliament of Tonga. (1988). The Constitution of Tonga. Retrieved May 03, 2010, from the Government of Tonga database
Latukefu, S. (1975). The Tongan Constitution: A brief history to celebrate its Centenary. Nuku'alofa, Tonga: Tonga Government Printer.
Sione Akemeihakau Mokofisi