Editor,

On 06/12/07, the Prime Minister's Office released a news article stating that it would take the Kele'a to court on a defamation charge.

In my opinion, this is an attempt to jeopardize the function of the Clause 7 of the Constitution of Tonga - Freedom of Speech and Expression.

Reasons for my opinion are as follows:-

(i) Kele'a was simply making inquiries as to why the Prime Minister and his Deputy are making such a lot of money.

(ii) Kele'a was simply making estimates of the amount of money that the Prime Minister and his Deputy are making. No definite or direct amount was stated.

(iii) Kelea's estimations and/or miscalculations of some figures couldn't possibly be interpreted as defamation, regardless of what the assumptions may be.

In conclusion, Kele'a was representing the public interests with questions to speculate and estimates to voice opinions to the money that these 2 public figures are making in view of the economic crisis that is currently facing by the poor people of Tonga. Such an indictment is malicious and ludicrous and could possibly be merely a waste of time and money for the taxpayers. Stop attacking the constitutional rights of the people to freedom of speech and expression. They need these rights to progress and better their lives.

Yours sincerely,

Siosaia Fatani.

sstuakoi [at] yahoo [dot] com