Editor,

Now that the Commission of Inquiry into the Princess Ashika is wrapping up, I am just curious whether the Commission's findings would be upheld and acted upon by the government of the day. We already had a string of events in the recent past which were suppose to be to wake-up calls, had failed because nobody seem to have taken them seriously.

If the commission's findings are to be taken seriously, evidence of government's profound commitment is still yet to be sighted. This is not to say that people should make premature speculations on the Commission's findings.

To start off with, I would suggest that those found guilty be allowed to face the law and allow the law to take its course. This appears to be the conventional practice around the globe for such cases.

Secondly it is perhaps high time for government to have an independent commission to receive complaints and information from civil servants (whistle-blowers) who are either silenced or forced by their superiors to "look the other way". This should allow civil servants to appreciate transparency without fear of loosing their jobs.

Thirdly, the civil service should employ persons who are not only experts in their respective fields but are also well versed with the machinery of government, its rules and regulations. This was highlighted in the testimonies of some people who gave evidence before the commission. It was so unbelievable to learn that one signed documents which was suppose to be signed by someone else, while one claimed that he did not know that he had powers conferred to him by legislation to detain a vessel that was not sea worthy. I can't comprehend how one got promoted to that position.

Lastly but not least, the people of Tonga do have a right to determine what is best for them, their needs and aspirations should be the menu for the government of the day and not what the government thinks. Tragedy is exactly what happens when government officials think that they know better than the people they serve. I guess this was why the vessel allowed to sail despite concerns raised by those at the bottom of the ladder.

If we don't learn from past mistakes, we are bound to commit those mistakes again. To do so would fall short of nothing but utter foolishness.

Freddy S Kavaha'apai