Did Clive Edwards really have power to intimidate commoners? Was it really a power or was it a "Kakala Pe"? That essence has just gradually faded away as time goes by.

I wonder what would you do if you were offered by His Majesty the King, the highest rank of the land as the Minister of Police in the Kingdom of Tonga? A Ministry with more than 500 employees, a five digit remuneration package, a title that demands the word "me'’a a" and a diplomatic passport that allows you to travel to almost everywhere in the world in business class. A position that somehow, unofficially, makes it hard for the law of the land to prosecute you on your wrongdoings. What would be your choice?

Take the position and be the King'’s loyal knight, or do you have another choice? Would you refuse it, or would you rather take it and be honoured with "Mate Ma'ae Pule'anga Tonga" and proceed to fulfil the government'’s obligations. It does not matter if the government has a plan of work that focuses on fairness to all (100%) of the people, justifiable and accountable to all transactions that involve the people's ambitions. No one can do everything, even if you are nominated by the people and with the people.

The real issue is do the Prime Minister and his economic advisers have plans to improve the economy? or do they only have short term plans that our children in the future will suffer more than what we already have now? Tonga should focus more and direct some of its resources to applied scientific research on food production, food processing and technology, fish processing, bio-energy, animal production, bio-chemistry, animal and plant protection and many more.

It is true that Clive was probably the chief engineer in fabricating strategies that combat the democratic movement, act to suppress us commoners (only inside Tonga) from expressing our freedom, role on Chinese migration to Tonga, prisoners and senior staff members and many more, but isn'’t that quite normal to all human beings, especially if you are one of the Royal Knights. He was the engineer, but not the Commander. He had the authority, but did not have the power. The power was with the PM.

How many world leaders now, they are in power after years of being inside the government, got disturbed by the system, and finally realised that they must challenge the government system? They are now outside, a different perspective. They are now stronger and more prepared to stand...–up against the system. To name a few, Khadafi, Musharaf, Rabuka, Anote Tong, Ma'atia Toafa and many more. 'Akilisi Pohiva was with the government. This is not to say that we are anti-government. We are all for a fair, just, resourceful and an accountable government. That is the bottom line.

I strongly felt that Clive Edwards would be an excellent candidate who will represent us well. He was inside the government, trained by the system, loved and moulded by the government and he knows everything inside the government. It is his turn now to struggle and pave the way for us, and our youth, who are already at high risks. He should be different from Mahe.

Always bear in mind that there are people who have guts and intuition to move out of the system and speak out the truth from their heart. We have a Tongan saying, "Lea 'Aki Ho Loto". Clive had the guts to step down as told. I strongly believe that he is prepared to protect the people from ongoing abuse, from nepotism and favouritism, and from unfair treatment. It is time for a real change. This is a change from better to the best, from good to excellent, from divided to a unified Tonga, and from the low class poor Tongan to a "same" class one level Tongans.

Edgar Cocker,
Saipan, Northern Marinanas Islands, USA