The lost art of Hū Louifi [1]
Thursday, May 20, 2021 - 17:53. Updated on Thursday, May 20, 2021 - 19:18.
From the House by Pesi Fonua
It’s only six paragraphs long, but the response from parliament to King Tupou VI's speech, has taken a committee of nine MPs 11 days to prepare. When the draft letter was presented to the House on 18 May for approval, they went to the dark side of the moon – silencing live radio broadcasting of the debate, to prevent an inquisitive public listening to what members had to say about it.
However, on the record of Tuesday's Parliamentary Minutes there were some interesting suggestions, including that members humble themselves by wearing Hū Louifi leaves and begging the king for forgiveness. One MP even called for a new General Election.
Before parliament proceeded to debate their response to the King’s confronting speech, the Speaker reminded the House that His Majesty on opening Parliament’s 2021-22 session on May 6 had expressed his dissatisfaction [2] with how Parliament and the Government were executing their responsibilities.
The letter of response from the House was drafted by a sub committee, chaired by Lord Tu’ivakano with eight other members: Lord Tu'ih'angana, Lord Nuku, the Prime Minister Rev. Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa, the Minister of Health, Hon. 'Amelia Tu'ipulotu, the Minister of Education, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, Mateni Tapueluelu, Losaline Ma’asi and Dr Saia Piukala.
The draft letter was tabled into parliament for members to make amendments and to be endorsed by the House before it was presented to the king.
Traditionally, the Letter of Response is delivered by a Nobles’ Representative and a People’s Representative to the Palace. This time, it will be delivered by the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua and the Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa, accompanied by members of parliament, the House agreed.
Aggressive proposals
As expected, during the debate there were a few aggressive proposed amendments but in the end there were few changes to the original draft.
The Tongatapu No. 9 People’s Representative, Penisimani Fifita made a few proposals. He wanted government to make a commitment of $50 million to counter the use of illegal drugs. He also boldly suggested for government to restructure its multimillion pa’anga public roads project and that the work contracts, that had been given to inexperienced companies, should be transferred to other companies that he named. He said they were more experienced companies. He also proposed for government to return the operation of domestic airline services to the private sector operator, Palu Aviation.
Siaosi Pohiva, the Tongatapu, No. 1 People’s Representative also made a couple of aggressive proposals.
First he proposed for the Prime Minister to resign, then for all of the members of parliament to resign, and for Tonga to have a new election. He stressed that they had never heard of such a speech by a King. “We have to address the dissatisfaction of His Majesty with the work of parliament.”
Lord Nuku reminded the House that the current government had been in office for about eighteen months. “This government has not completed their task and not submitted a report to the House.”
Hon. Moeaki Tatafu, the new Minister for Trade and Economic Development expressed his concern over the possible negative impact of the proposal for government to commit $50 million to counter the impact of illegal drugs and the proposition for the Prime Minister to resign.
The Ha’apai No. 13 People’s Representative Veivosa Taka proposed to make a traditional Hū Louifi [3] presentation, to wear Ifi (chestnut) leaves then approach and show His Majesty that they have broken hearts.
Lord Tu'i'afitu moved for the House to pass the response that was prepared by the sub committee of the House, because he did not know from where they could get the 'ifi leaves.
Veivosa withdrew his proposition for a Hū Louifi.
Siaosi Pohiva insisted for all the members of the House to resign and for the King to call a General Election.
Lord Nuku then expressed his concern over an expression in their letter that the parliament and government are kafataha, meaning that they are united. He disagreed that they were united.
Lord Tu'ivakano, however, expressed his conviction that the House and government are kafataha.
At the end of the long deliberation over the House’s response to the King's speech on the opening of parliament, the Speaker called for the clerk to read the final draft.
The six paragraphs letter was read, and minor changes were made, but it was passed.
The letter will be delivered to the Royal Palace by the Speaker and the Prime Minister, accompanied by members of parliament at a time to be informed by the Palace office.
Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, the Minister of Justice, warned members that they might not be allowed into the Palace because of the COVID-19 restrictions.