Penisimani Fifita, new Internal Affairs Minister [1]
Friday, October 14, 2016 - 20:49
Tonga's new Minister for Internal Affairs has been named as Hon Penisimani Fifita, Tongatapu’s No.9 People’s Representative to Parliament, effective today, Friday October 14.
He replaces Fe’ao Vakata who resigned after being dismissed last month for bad behaviour and swearing at the Acting Deputy Director of the Women's Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tupou’ahau Fakakovikaetau.
Fifita is the current chairman of the Committee of the Whole House and the Standing Committee on Social Services in Parliament.
His appointment was approved by King Tupou VI and nominated by the Prime Minister Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva.
Having over 38-years of experience working in the civil service at the Ministry of Education and Training, Hon. Fifita was also Acting Deputy Director for the Culture Division at the Ministry of Internal Affairs from 2011-12.
In 2013 he retired from civil service and ran for parliament at the General Election the following year, in which he successfully secured the No.9 seat for Tongatapu People’s Representatives.