As a result of the continuing monitoring of the security situation in the country, Government has extended the period for the state of emergency, but with some changes to the associated regulations.

The Emergency Powers (Maintenance of Public Order) Regulations 2006 has now been repealed, and replaced with the Emergency Powers (Maintenance of Public Order) Regulations 2007.

Some powers which were afforded to members of the Tonga Police Force and Tonga Defence Services under the Emergency Powers (Maintenance of Public Order) Regulations 2006 are no longer provided in the new regulations, which included the power to:

- Absolutely or on conditions, prohibit the holding of a meeting or procession or the assembly of 5 or more persons in a place or building (whether public or private) in that area :

- Order a meeting, procession or any assembly of 5 or more persons held in a place or building (whether public or private) to disperse;

- Use such force as necessary in the interest of public security to disperse a meeting, procession or assembly prohibited or ordered to be dispersed;

- Search or detain for the purpose of searching a person;

- With or without a warrant, stop and search any person or vehicle on a public road, and seize evidence.

The power to stop, search any person, or enter and search any premises, or stop, board and search any vessel, vehicle or aircraft, and seize evidence, with or without a warrant, which were afforded to both members of the Tonga Police Force and Tonga Defence Services under the Emergency Powers (Maintenance of Public Order) Regulations 2006, is given, in the new Regulations to members of the Tonga Police Force.

The power to detain any arrested person for a period not exceeding 7 days has been amended so that such matters are dealt with under the Bail Act, 1990.

The new regulations shall be used only within Tongatapu.

The "Emergency Powers (Maintenance of Public Order) Regulations 2007" will become effective from 16th of May, 2007, andshall be effective for 30 days, unless otherwise extended by an order of Cabinet. Tonga Government, 16/05/07.