Concerns for tourism [1]
Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 18:19. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
From the House, an English translation summary from the Tongan vernacular, by Pesi Fonua.
Tonga Legislative Assembly, Minute No. 12, Monday night 22 June 2009.
Highlights
- After a personal exchange about the state of the tourist industry, the Minister of Tourism told some PRs they should clean the town and he would market it.
The Governor of Ha'apai, Noble Malupo led the prayer.
The clerk told the Speaker that Sione Teisina Fuko was on leave of absence and the other members were probably coming late.
The Chairman of the Whole House Committee, Samiu Vaipulu took his chair.
Business ownership
The proceedings continued with Vote No. 12 of the Ministry of Education and Vote No. 13 of the Ministry of Health.
The was little debate.
Out of the blue, People's Representative 'Akilisi Pohiva said he had called three meetings with the Chinese community in Tonga to discuss their life in Tonga. He said he is not racist, if he was he would not have called a meeting with the Chinese. He said that Tongans were losing control of their country because most businesses in the country were run by foreigners.
The Minister of Communication, 'Eseta Fusitu'a said it was distasteful the racist comment that the member had made about Chinese businesses, she said that the chairman should stop members from making such comments in the House.
Tourism
The proceedings continued to Vote No. 15 of the Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries, then to vote No 16 of the Ministry of Tourism.
Instead of talking about the budget some members tried to settle personal scores.
PRs Akilisi Pohiva and 'Isileli Pulu talked about how dirty Tonga is and visitors could not find public toilets.
There was a verbal confrontation between PRs 'Isileli Pulu, 'Akilisi Pohiva and the Minister, Hon. Fineasi Funaki who told the members that they were responsible for the picking up of rubbish and for cleaning the island and he was responsible for marketing Tonga as a tourist destination.
The House closed at 11 pm