The Tonga government's official response to the public uproar over the high cost of electricity and salaries of the top executives of Shoreline Power appears to be insincere and doubtful. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
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Results for Editorials
Monday 2 May 2005
2 comments
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
When Professor Futa Helu withdrew his support from 'Akilisi Pohiva and Dr Feleti Sevele, and endorsed Clive Edwards as the Number One candidate for Tongatapu in the recent March parliamentary election, he initiated a split in Tonga's Pro-democracy Movement. Tonga now has two Demo camps, the Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement and the People's Democratic Party, which have begun to be critical of each other. - Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua
Friday 22 April 2005
1 comment
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The sudden rise of Dr Feleti Sevele to a prominent position in Cabinet, as Acting Prime Minister, this week is food for thought, taking into consideration that he is a full-blooded Demo who has been pushing for political changes in Tonga for years. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
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Thursday 14 April 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
FROM OUR ARCHIVES: The saying today in Tonga that some people can get away with million dollar day-light robberies, while others may be sent to jail for stealing the neighbour’s chicken, is very true if you look at what has been happening during the past few months. The March parliamentary election has stretched some people’s imaginations to the limit so that they do things that an ordinary bible-carrying, big ta'ovala wearing Tongan would not do, which is simply cheating in order to get a few votes. - Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua
Friday 18 March 2005
1 comment
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Now that the historical 2005 parliamentary general election is over, the next question is who will gain the Grace and Favour of the Royal Family to become Cabinet Ministers? Four ministers are to be selected this year from the new Nobles' and People's Representatives. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua
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Thursday 3 March 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ten years ago Tonga introduced its 15% Consumption Tax in April 2005. FROM OUR ARCHIVES: The timing of the rushed introduction of the new Tonga Consumption Tax or TCT, makes one wonder if government had deliberately chosen April 1 to give the parliamentary candidates and the public something to chew on while they work themselves up to a voting mood on March 17. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
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Friday 18 February 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As we are getting closer to Tonga's 2005 Parliamentary General Election on March 17 the idea of political change is still the popular campaign issue, and it is clearer now that we are looking at three different proposals, or models of government. - Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
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Thursday 10 February 2005
6 comments
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The approach by government to appoint four cabinet ministers from the 18 elected members of the House this year has given a new dimension to Tonga's 2005 parliamentary election. Now, in effect, an elected member of the "opposition" may cross the floor to become a member of the cabinet. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua,
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Tuesday 18 January 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Candidates for Tonga's March 17 parliamentary election, with few exceptions, have one campaign theme, that we hear over and again: "Tonga must change its political system". Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
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Thursday 6 January 2005
1 comment
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There is an urgent need for Tonga to take a decisive action in 2005 on how to move forward with its economic and political reform programs. Editor's comment by Pesi Fonua.
Monday 13 December 2004
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
When the world, and Tonga, commemorated Human Rights Day on December 10, the USA, the world's only Super Power, in leading its war against terrorism declared that weak and authoritarian states are a threat to the United States. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
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Monday 6 December 2004
2 comments
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
FROM OUR ARCHIVES December 6, 2004. In this age of globalisation and Free Trade we are told we need to label our precious products. Therefore we should make sure that our "Made in Tonga" stamp sticks as Tongan youth move overseas to pursue their careers. Tonga has to handle its citizenship issue carefully. After years of being relaxed with the dual citizenship issue, why is government now disowning Tongans who have made us proud in the world sporting arena? - Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
Saturday 20 November 2004
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As a new generation of young Tongan Royals are coming of age, it raises the question of how can Tonga keep the Royal blood blue, while the number of people who are eligible for the Royal offspring to chose their spouses from is shrinking.
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Friday 12 November 2004
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
On November 10 King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and his Prime Minister, Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, made a historical decision to appoint four new Cabinet Ministers from the 18 members of parliament who will be elected in the General Election in February 2005. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua.
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Thursday 28 October 2004
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
When the Tongan government launched its Economic and Public Sector Reform Program in April 2002, it was hailed by government, the Private Sector, and the public, as the beginning of a "Fight Back" economic recovery initiative. Editor's Comment - By Pesi Fonua
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Friday 22 October 2004
2 comments
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's process of law making at the moment is a matter of great concern. The recent overturning by Chief Justice Webster of the conflicting media laws, means we have to take a closer look at how laws are made in this country. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua.
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Friday 15 October 2004
5 comments
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
It is nearly one year since November 2003 when Tongans lost their right to Freedom of Speech as a defence. After last year's Constitutional amendment, Tonga went back 128 years to the days when people were allowed to speak or to express an opinion only if it was in line with that of their superiors or chiefs. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua
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Monday 1 December 2003
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Under Tonga's Constitutional Monarchy system of Government the final executive decision-making power remains with the King. Therefore the burden of finding a solution to Tonga's current economic and Constitutional crises rests squarely on the shoulders of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. - Editor's Comment. Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3
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Monday 1 December 2003
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The reason why the Tongan Government decided to enact Media Bills and to amend Clause 7 of the Constitution so that they can control the local Media, remains a mystery. One thing that is clear, however, is that the new media legislation is vindictive, because it is meant to hurt. - Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3
Thursday 2 October 2003
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The controversy over the proposal by government to amend Clause 7 of the Tongan Constitution, giving government the right to make laws to control Freedom of Speech and the media, is dividing the country. Government is not going to win respect by changing the laws, simply because it has been losing its court cases against its critics. We are at the cross roads, in an unfamiliar Twilight Zone. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua (From our Archives 2003).
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