Paul Karalus: the reason I resign [1]
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 09:47. Updated on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 - 21:57.
The gravity of the disaster of the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika and the huge loss of life is deeply mourned by all of us in Tonga and beyond, and especially by all families who lost loved ones.
It is essential that a complete and full investigation into this tragedy be made as soon as possible; and that this be carried out thoroughly and transparently. Government has moved to appoint a Royal Commission of Inquiry to conduct this investigation; and this Commission needs total freedom of access to all information relating to the ferry and its loss.
Although I as Minister for Transport and my Ministry and Staff know that we performed our duties with due care and diligence; the overall interests of Tonga must be taken into account at this difficult time. It is for this reason that I have considered and taken the decision to resign from my Ministerial post. I have thus submitted my resignation as Minister for Transport to the Princess Regent, Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita; and to the Prime Minister, Dr the Hon Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele.
I stand ready to render full assistance, where and when required, to the Royal Commission of Inquiry, and, in this spirit, no further public comments will be made by me in relation to the tragedy.
I wish to thank all who have assisted me and my Ministry in my term as Minister for Transport. We have carried out our duties to the best of our abilities, and I extend my sincere apologies for any shortcomings we might have had.
I extend my sincere gratitude to the Hon Prime Minister and Hon Members of Cabinet for their advice and support during my ministerial term, and I offer them my prayers and goodwill in their governing and guiding the Government and the People of Tonga.
Finally, and again, I wish to offer my most sincere condolences and prayers to the families who lost loved ones.
Malo 'aupito
Tu'a 'Ofa atu
Paul Karalus
11/08/09.