Clive challenges 'Akilisi to prove his words [1]
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - 22:49. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
From the House, by Pesi Fonua
'Akilisi Pohiva's talk of laying criminal charges against the Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano for allegedly misappropriating millions of government funds, caused a stir in Tonga's parliament this morning.
The Minister of Justice, Hon. Clive Edwards pointed out that 'Akilisi had told Radio Australia that he was going to lay the charges, after the House had rejected a Motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the PM this week.
'Akilisi responded that he never said that the Prime Minister had stolen any money.
Clive was very concerned about 'Akilisi's threat of litigation and the consequent damage to Tonga's reputation in the eyes of international donor agencies and friends in the international community.
He said that during the annual Pacific Islands Forum meeting in the Cook Islands in September, donor countries were reluctant to make any financial commitment to development projects in Tonga because of the motion for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.
Hon. Clive Edwards was certain that 'Akilisi's threat to lay criminal charges against the Prime Minister created the image of an unstable government for Tonga.
He asked 'Akilisi, if he was certain that the Prime Minister had committed a criminal offence, then why did he go and offer his support to the Prime Minister last Friday, just before the House voted on the motion for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister and his Cabinet on Monday? Clive claimed that 'Akilisi had told the PM that he would give him his support to remain as Prime Minister if he fired the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu; the Minister of Justice, Hon. Clive Edwards; the Minister of Finance, Hon. Lisiate 'Akolo and the Minister of Labour, Commerce, Tourism and Industries, Dr Viliami Latu.
'Akilisi went quiet and did not respond to Clive's accusation.
Clive challenged 'Akilisi to proceed and take the Prime Minister to court within seven days. He was certain that 'Akilisi's claim was baseless.