Dear Editor,

There were too many good articles in this month's Matangi to respond to just one. So, if you'll indulge me, I would like to address a few of the ones I found interesting in no particular order.

No Word Yet?

I am dismayed to hear recent reports that the Tongan people have yet to receive a response from the King regarding the status of the reform process.

I understand the process of reforming the Constitution can be lengthy, and maybe the People's deadline was a little too early, (although some say the King has had decades to make this change), or maybe the King's medical condition has made progress slow. However, that is no excuse to not let the Tongan people know the status of the process in plain terms. If the King is unable to do so, the Prime Minister should. After all, an hour of open discussion with the public could give the country the piece of mind it deserves.

Think of all the time and effort that 'Akilisi Pohiva, and his supporters, have put into organizing the democracy movement. If Mr. Pohiva was in the King...‚s position, don...‚t you think you would have heard something on the status of the reform process by now?

Don't Forget the King's failures

In an article discussing the high quality of the Tongan brand in education, I couldn't help to wonder if the author was supporting the King or pointing out his failures? It is true that Tongans have more PhDs per capita than any other country. However, it is also true that Tonga's GDP per capita is disappointingly one of the lowest in the world. While the King cannot really take credit for all the hard work the Tongan students and their teachers have done, the King's failure to establish an environment that is conducive to trade is all his fault.

That is the downside to total rule, if something goes wrong it is your fault because no on else had a say in the matter.

The So Called Politics of Negativity

I have also been reading numerous articles discussing the problems associated with "the politics of negativity".

As I understand it in the current Tongan context the politics of negativity means criticism that leads nowhere, but to highlight the faults of the King. I have never believed in such a concept. The courage to speak out against the government comes only from a true love for one...‚s people, and a willingness to make a sacrifice for their well being, and the well being of their heirs.

Take the leaders of the Pro Democracy Movement for example. Since the 1980's the leaders of the Pro Democracy Movement's leaders have been imprisoned, its newspapers banned, their livelihoods threatened, yet they continue to pressure the King for change. How could such a sacrifice seem negative to a Christian?

Just For Fun Though

However, in the spirit of supplying those authors with an example of constructive criticism aimed at the monarchy here is an example: Internet access. Currently the Internet is available to only a few Tongans, mostly because of the high prices charged by the Government. In the United States high-speed access can be purchased for about $30 USD a month. In Tonga the same service goes for $1000 a month.

Why such a high price? The King...‚s family is making millions off leasing the satellite space above Tonga, which is rightfully the property of the Tongan people. If the King truly cared about his people he would take the money gained from satellite leasing and use it to subsidize Internet access for all Tongans. If Tongans were given universal Internet access, not only would they benefit from access to more educational tools, they would be able to overcome their geographic isolation and earn considerable income in the e-marketplace. With new jobs available to Tongans that draw in money from around the world the local economic environment could prosper. Instead the King has made no real commitment to bringing this technology to his people, but his family has become rich for bringing it to Malaysia.

Just some thoughts,

John Maloney

Florida, United Sates

Jtm04 [at] fsu [dot] edu