Editor's Viewpoint

Since the Prime Minister, Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, announced yesterday his intention to reshuffle the Tongan Cabinet, the Coconut Wireless Network (CWN) has been speculating on who will become his new ministers and whether any existing ministers will be forced to resign.

According to the CWN there will be a new Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Home or Internal Affairs will amalgamate with the Ministry of Police, with a new unit for domestic intelligence gathering. The Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Justice portfolios will be held by one minister, and a new Ministry of Transportation will be an amalgamation of Civil Aviation, Marines and Ports, and Works.

There is also a strong possibility that in the ministerial shake-up, that some ministers will be left without a chair and have been, or will be, asked to hand in their resignations.

The person who will decide the new cabinet, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, leaves Tongatapu this afternoon on FlyNiu Airline to officially open the Vava'u Royal Agricultural Fisheries and Industrial Show on August 28, followed by the Ha'apai Show on August 31, and the 'Eua show on September 7.

It is expected that an official announcement of the new Cabinet will be made in early September after the King returns to Tongatapu.