Tongan pride, have we lost the will to be the best?

The Ramanlal Brothers - Mele Rogers:
Roll on 2006 and the hot topic on peoples’ lips still is the never-ending dirt being dished on the Ramanlal brothers. It is interesting to witness that one brother’’s wife has recently become victim of this rolling ball. While the accusations against the Ramanlal brothers remain, I wonder if people understand that the extravagant spending carried out by these two is quite normal for anyone holding the post of CEO of any company. If their salary really does run in the hundreds of thousands, do people actually realize that a CEO of a company may earn up to a million annually.

We cannot accuse the Ramanlals for using the Tongan people’’s money. I genuinely believe these two brothers have every right to spend their money as they wish as they have been appointed to their respective posts by the owner of the company and earn a salary which allows them to live lavishly. If people are concerned they need to approach the appropriate authorities who allowed the privatization of the electricity board. If of course the Ramanlals were head of the electricity board as it was before (TEPB) then yes there would be much concern at their spending because then the government had a stake in it. People need to realize that unfortunately the electricity has been privatized, it is now a private company and the owner of that company may run it (in accordance with the law) as he sees fit. If he wishes to appoint 5 year olds to run his company, it is his own choice. The electricity does not belong to the government of Tonga, it belongs to Shoreline. If Shoreline wishes to pay their CEOs millions then I’m afraid they can. May I also add that while people are concerned that the Crown Prince is unaware of the Ramanlals spending, isn’’t it possible the Crown Prince is well aware of it all if he happens to be attending their birthday parties and visiting their homes? In saying that I really do hope one day the electricity returns to its rightful owners, the Government of Tonga. - Mele Rogers

Political Power Structure in Tonga - Sione Tapani Mangisi:
The Monarchy.
The monarchy ought to stay but with limited powers to be determined by parliament. All legislations passed by parliament are to be endorsed by the monarch or her delegate for these to become law, and to be done within a time frame of say three months. If the monarch dissents, she can make comments and still returns the documents to the parliament within the three months. The parliament reviews the documents and incorporates the comments or not, at its total discretion and return for Royal ascent. In the event that the Monarch will again refuse, the document will return to the parliament within three months, where the parliament will vote on an outcome, and can legalise laws without the monarchy.
In this scenario, the monarch will no longer have the final say in everything that goes through the parliament. The parliament will work with the monarchy but may go it alone if the monarch refuses to endorse what the parliament may have presented. The monarchy will relinquish the right to commission Cabinet Ministers at his sole discretion, but will endorse what the parliament will have presented to him. (refer below as to how the Prime Minister and Ministers will be elected )

The Nobles.
The status of the Nobility ought to stay, but with no special voting access to parliament as currently is the case. Their special rights for schooling allowances and any other such privileges are to be closed.

The People.
All power is to be vested in the people who will exercise this power through the ballot box / elections through a one vote, one value system with special weighting to cater for a fairer representation of the electorate.

The Parliament.
The parliament currently has 29 members as follows :
1.9 - Cabinet Ministers including the Prime Minister appointed by the monarch.
2.2 - Governors appointed by the monarch.
3.9 - Members of the House elected by the Nobles. (33 Nobles titles, not all are filled and some have multiple titles).
4.9 - Members of the House elected by the people. (110,000 people).
The system is unfair and clearly undemocratic from whichever angle one looks at it.
It needs to be changed for the better so that the power is transferred from the monarch and the nobility to the people.

What Needs to be Done.
1.All Members of Parliament (MPs), the whole 27 MPs are to be elected by the people. The two Governors to be made redundant and their functions incorporated elsewhere.
2.No special Noble's access to parliament. These are all included in the 27 MPs.

The Prime Minister (PM)
Once an election is over and the 27 MPs are confirmed elected, they will assemble and elect the PM.

The Cabinet Ministers.
The PM will then nominate his ministers as he chooses, say 7 ministers or as required.
Swearing in by the monarch.
Once the PM and his ministers are known they will be sworn in by the monarch as requested by the PM.
The monarch will, at all times act only on the advise of the PM.

Election of MPs.
Election of MPs is to be open to all eligible Tongan people including the nobility.

Frequency of Elections.
Elections to be held every four years on a fixed date to be determined.
The Privy Council ought to be scrapped, and replaced with a body similar to that of the High Court of Australia whose functions are primarily to be the final court of appeal and to inteprete the constitution. The model above is similar to others already presented but I do not believe that they have gone far enough in some fundamental areas. For instance, that all members of the parliament be elected by the people. Those members elect the PM and the Speaker from their midst. The PM chooses his ministers from the elected members. This is then presented to the monarch for royal ascent. All power and legitimacy of government to emamate from the people at the ballot box. - Sione Tapani Mangisi

To die for Tonga or to die with Tonga? - Dr ‘Okusitino Mahina
I would like to thank the editor of Matangi Tonga, Mr Pesi Fonua, for his most enlightening commentary on the current state of affairs in Tonga.” Specifically, his reference to the complex interplay of both cultural and historical tensions which have been responsible for the transformation of Tongan society over time and space is well put.

Colonised or Protected? What's the difference?
Tonga might not have been colonised but by becoming a British Protectorate was as good as being colonised. This raises the question as to whether the external influence of colonisation (and impact of foreign imperial expansion) on Tonga was formal or technical or both. All we know is that many of the foreign social, cultural, political, economic, legal, religious and educational structures, amongst others, have decisively infiltrated Tongan society in a radical way.

Democratised or Samoanised? What's the difference?
Would it be fair to say that the whole "democratisation" of aristocratic Tongan took place well before the introduction of the 1875 Constitution? Was not the 1875 Constitution the peak of this process of democratisation, or "Samoanisation"”, which all began with the creation of Tu‘i Kanokupolu, and carried out by the powerfully, politically ambitious Samoan relatives of Ngata, the first holder of the new hau title? These early waves of democratisation which culminated in the 1875 Constitution must be given some special mention, in the same way that we must recognise the key role played by the '‘Ulukalala lineage in the process which finally converged in the person of Taufa'’ahau, materialised in the major political revolution led by the Tautahi.

Ke mate ma‘a Tonga “To die for Tonga or Ke mate mo Tonga “To die with Tonga”: What a difference!

To live or die for Tonga” is not quite the same as …“To die with Tonga. The former was once a heroic (or sacrificial) value that actively flourished and was highly cherished in classical Tonga when she reached the peak of her cultural development. The latter is, sadly though, to do with where Tonga (and her people and all) is heading at this point in time– towards the destination of hell! As Tongans, our heaven and hell are both in this world …– in Tonga right now.

"To live for Tonga"” is to rise above one's self-interest and contribute disinterestedly to the common good or good of all to the collective interests of one's famili, kainga, ha'’a, kolo, vahe, vahefonua, and, more importantly, fonua (i.e., the land and its people) …– that is, the whole of Tonga. When the collective good of all is at high risk, then the heroic or sacrificial act requiring one …“to die for Tonga…” is called upon (but not condemned or ridiculed unnecessarily albeit irrationally as is the current situation). The history of Tonga makes reference to such sacrificial acts of extreme human courage, heroically carried out by people who rose to the occasion by giving up and giving it their all for the good of all.

‘Oua ‘‘e lau kafo, ka e lau lava, Mind not injury, rather mind duty: What a difference!

The famous dying words uttered by renowned warrior of the Tautahi, Lie Malohi, when he was fatally injured at the Fortress of Pea in Tongatapu, ‘‘Oua ‘e lau kafo, ka e lau lava, Mind not injury, rather mind duty, is symptomatic of the existence of a corpus of core classical values that were once readily embraced in ancient Tonga. The tau‘ataina or freedom from political bondage for the whole of Tonga that he courageously yet unselfishly fought for alongside the leadership of Taufa‘’ahau – the Father of the so-called Modern Tonga and the Grand Old Man of the Pacific – far outweighed his physical injury. With full respect to Lie Malohi, this was the manner of his life and, indeed, the manner of his death! ‘Ofa atu fau - Dr ‘Okusitino Mahina

Have we lost the will to be the best? - ‘Eleni Mone:
I agree with the picture you've just drawn of the Tongan situation. Sad, tragic but true and if folks don'’t wake up and see that writing on the wall then they will have to accept the consequences. So much could be done, so much could be avoided and so much could be built by all sectors to return to be the best!!! I don't know what it will take but it will have to be major and yet for the benefit to all and by all. Hopefully that will happen before the country physically sinks or financially crashes. - ‘Eleni Mone

Ko ‘etau Tonga pe ‘i he ‘etau lea faka-Tonga pea fakakaukau faka-Tonga - Siosaia Moimoiangaha:
‘Oku ‘oatu ‘a e fakamalo lahi ‘aupito ki he fokotu’u fakakaukau kuo ke tuku mai ki he tepile ‘oe talanoa’. ‘Oku malava pe foki ke fulifulihi e ‘uhinga ‘oe fehu’i’ pea moe ngaahi ‘uhinga’, ka kapau tetau fevahevahe’aki ‘a ‘etau ngaahi fakakaukau tetau lava ‘anoa pe ke tu’uta he mo’oni mo totonu tetau loto tatau ki ai. ‘Oku ou fakamalo heni kia Sione T Mangisi pea mo Dr ‘Okusitino Mahina koe vahevahe kuo na tuku mai ki he tepile’. He’ikai keu toe maumau’i pe fakanenefu’i e talanoa kuo fai kae tuku pe mu’a ke lafo lalo atu e ‘uhinga tu’uloto ko ‘eni’ na’a lava ‘o tokoni atu ki he fehu’i kuo tukumai ki he loto’a ‘oe talanoa.

Kuo mole nai e ‘ofa fonua’ mei he tangata Tonga? ‘Oku kei laukau’aki nai ‘e he tangata Tonga hono tupu’anga? (hoko ko e tangata Tonga) ‘E kei mate nai e tangata Tonga ma’a Tonga? Ko e ngaahi fehu’i ko ‘eni kapau tetau paloti pe savea’i he’ikai ke faingata’a pe fihi ‘a ‘etau ‘ilo’i e tali ‘a e tangata’i Tonga kotoa pe.

Ko e ki’i fokotu’u ‘oku ou fie vahevahe atu ‘oku anga pehe ni hono ‘uhinga’. Ko Tonga ko e fo’i famili pe ‘e taha (fa’ahinga kakai pe ‘e taha) pea ‘oku te’eki ue’i ‘a e tu’unga ko ‘eni ‘e ha matakali kehe ‘o tatau pe ki he kau papaalangi moe kau muli kehe. ‘Oku tau lave foki ki he kuohili kia Tupou 1 mo ‘ene ngaahi fokotu’utu’u ka na’e ‘ikai lea pe ako ha 99.9% ‘oe kakai Tonga ‘i he lea fakapapalangi’ ‘i he taimi koia’. ‘Ihe ‘osi ‘a e tuku ki langi ‘i Pouono’, na’e fakalele leva e Pule’anga Tonga ‘i he lea fakatonga moe fakakaukau fakatonga. Ne tau lele mai ‘aki ia ha Senituli pea mafuli leva e tu’unga ko iaa ‘i he Ta’ahine kuo ne unga fonua (Kuini Salote) ‘o 30% e ako mo lea fakapapalangi pea fakakaukau fakapapalangi ‘o fe’unga moe taimi koia’.

‘I he hoko ‘a Tupou IV, ne hiki e fo’i piliote (Tonga) ‘o kau he talanoa ‘oe A-Z pea hange kuo ‘ikai nofo ki hono tu’unga ko e fakama’u ‘a e ‘osi ‘oe lau ABC. Ko e ‘ahoni kuo 99.9% e ako mo lea fakapapalangi pea pehe foki ki he fakakaukau. Na’e kamata foki ‘eni ‘osi hono fokotu’u ‘e he ‘Ene ‘Afio e ‘Apiako Matiketika (Tonga High School). Na’e toe fakautuutu foki heni ‘a e fakamamafa’i ‘oe ngaue’aki e polokalama ako mo lea fakapapilitania ‘i he tu’unga fakaako kotoa pe ‘i Tonga. Ko Tonga ‘i he taimi ni, tupu mei he ‘etau tokosi’i’, ne faingofua pe ‘a hono ako’i Tonga kotoa pe ki he founga ‘a ‘Amelika, Nu’usila, ‘Aositelelia moe ngaahi fonua kehe, pea ko e ‘uhinga ia kuo fu’u vave ai ‘etau fetu’utaki mo mamani lahi ‘i he ‘enau ngaahi fakalakalaka faka’onopooni.

Kapau tetau fakatauhoa ‘a e taimi ‘o Kuini Salote mo e lolotonga ni ‘e mahino ngofua pe ko e ta’u pe ‘e tolungofulu kuo mavahe ‘a Tonga mei he lea mo fakakaukau fakatonga ‘o ako, lea mo fakakaukau fakapapalangi. Ko e Pule’anga Tonga mo ‘enau fetu’utaki ‘i he ngaahi ‘ofisi he lolotonga ni kuo meimei ngaue’aki e lea fakapapalangi ‘ehe taha kotoa lolotonga e ngaue. Ko e me’a leva ‘oku hoko ‘oku tau kei Tonga pe ‘i hotau toto mo hotau tupu’anga ka kuo tau mo’ui fakapapalangi. Ko hono ‘uhinga ia kuo tau fehu’ia ai he ngaahi ‘ahoni hotau tupu’anga he kuo tau toto’i mo tupu’i Tonga ka ‘oku tau nusi ‘i he ‘etau mo’ui faka’aho pea tuifio ‘a Pilitania, ‘Aositelelia, Nu’usila, ‘Amelika, Siapani, Siaina, ‘Itali, Falanise, Siamani, ‘Initia, Kanata, Fisi, Ha’amoa, Vanuatu, moe fa’ahinga kuo movete he kolope. ‘Oku ou fakame’apango’ia ‘i he ‘etau a’usia ‘e tu’unga ‘oku tau ‘i ai ke tau fehu’ia pe ‘oku tau kei Tonga koa’ pe ‘ikai. ‘Oku mo’oni e lea ‘oku nague’aki ‘e he kau ngoue ‘i tokanga’ “KOLOSI” tokua ko e fehokotaki ‘a e Hopa mo e Pata pea hoko ia koe Misipeka. ‘Oku totonu ketau foki pe ki he lea ‘oku pehe “Tonga ma’a Tonga.” Malo e ngaue pea ‘ofa ke monu’ia e feinga kotoa pe - Siosaia Moimoiangaha

Tonga's pride and attitude reflects it's leadership - William Mariner:
It is not surprising in your editorial that Tonga today has lost it’s die hard attitude as a nation. This has diminished slowly during the years, as the most controversial reign in the history of Tonga since 1875 constitution was established.

The mood of the nation, reflects in every aspect of Tonga. The sporting achievements in Tonga is in it’s utmost low, exporting, environmental issues, import corruption, political leaders in criminal offenses and the list goes on and on. The standards of leadership are visible to the people of Tonga, political leaders are not showing simple decent morals towards their fellow countrymen and women. They will always be in the lime light and media, therefore every decision and action will have a reaction towards people’s views and beliefs.

The aging Monarchy system for our times have surpass it’s expiry date. Tonga needs a revamp or change in it’s political system in order to move on with the whole world or suffer the consequences of past monarchy reigns in the medieval times where Kings were overthrown because they were in the same situation Tonga is in now.

What the Royal family should understand is that, a more democratic elected government would mean the people would have more power to choose their leaders rather than appointed by one man, when a nation waits and sees his demise until discharged and replaced again and the cycle occurs. Let the people decide the focus Tonga is going to make, and the mistakes will be accountable to the people’s vote, at this moment, the mistakes are all pointing to one man.

If this present Government just brushes this issue aside and think the people will be more resilient, then it shows our leadership has failed the people and the Pride of Tongans. - William Mariner

Have we lost the foundation to be the best? - Sailosi Finau:
It would appear from some of the postings we have seen that in order for Tonga to be the best, there has to be political change. A change from the rule of the few to that of the majority. This is fine but I would say that political change is necessary but not sufficient to regain the best position. Democracy exists in many shapes and colours and it is not a cure-all. It has its own shortcomings and ills. It will therefore be wrong for one to demand democracy in Tonga right now. Government is committed to the democratizations process and let us be patient and appreciate the changes that are taking place. People in Vava‘’u have appreciated the first time that a high-level government team (Tui‘pelehake-led team) has visited them for a "talanoa". An elected commoner MP has for the first time been appointed Acting PM. The Acting PM has just replaced 3 ministers in the public service commission with private sector experts.

But while the democratization process is going on, there is a need for all Tongans to go back to the drawing board. To revisit Puono, as once suggested by Noble Luani. To revisit the ‘‘Otua mo Tonga ko hoku Tofi‘’a and what it means. Simply put, koe kovinanite ‘a e Tonga kotoa pea mo e ‘‘Otua. Teu tofi‘’a ‘aki pea teu tauhi pea teu ‘‘ofa kiate Koe Sihova pea mo Tonga (Tu‘’i, hou‘’eiki, kakai, lao mo e Konisitutone, anga fakafonua, kelekele, fale, etc) ‘‘aki ‘a e kotoa ‘‘o hoku loto, ‘atamai pea mo e laumalie.” ‘Oku toki kofu ‘‘aki leva e kovinanite ko ‘‘eni ‘a e ngaahi kavei koula ‘o e mo’ui ‘a e Tonga such as anga…’ofa (a loving nature), anga faka‘apa‘’apa (a respectful reverent disposition), mamahi‘’i me‘’a (zealousness in a good cause to the point of pain), tauhi vaha‘a (maintaining good relations) and lototo (to be humbly willing and deferential but kindly committed).

The late ‘Amanaki Havea used to have a Mou fakama‘opo‘opo kimoutolu column in the FWC'’s Tohi Fanongonongo. To bring Tonga back to the best calls for a fakama‘’opo‘’opo hotau ngaahi famili he ko e pule‘’anga melino ‘oku tupu mei he ngaahi famili melino. Ko e pule’anga faitotonu ‘oku tupu mei he ngaahi famili faitotonu. The resposnsibility is therefore upon you and me as concerned Tongan fathers, mothers, children, etc. The results of having democracy alone in order to bring Tonga back to the best is well written in the thick book. “Ko e koto kulanoa pe ‘ ‘enau ‘aa.” - Sailosi Finau