Tonga’s new government was formally formed on Friday, 5 January “when Cabinet Ministers were appointed by His Majesty,” Tonga’s Acting Attorney General ‘Aminiasi Kefu confirmed today, 17 January.

‘Aminiasi admitted that he did not have a list of the names of Tonga’s new Cabinet Ministers. He said the new government was formed on 2 January when the King appointed Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva as Prime Minister. Then the formation of a new government was completed on 5 January “when the Cabinet Ministers were appointed by His Majesty.”

Confusion

Meanwhile, confusion over the status of the new government occurred after the Prime Minister was rushed to Vaiola Hospital on 5 January after his audience with the King. He reportedly lost the list of the Cabinet Ministers who were approved by the King. Presumably, that is why no one has seen a copy of the Cabinet Ministers who were appointed by the King.

Tomorrow new members of parliament who were elected in the 16 November 2017 snap General Election will be sworn in, including Cabinet Ministers.