A Forum for Discussion on how to educate the Tongan public about the function of parliament, government and the law, and Tonga's political reform, was hosted by the Kolofo'ou Development Committee at the International Dateline Hotel on Friday, May 28.

The Kolofo'ou Development Committee invited speakers from various fields including the Speaker of the House, Members of Parliament, Royal Commissioners, the Chair of the Public Service Commission, Director of Education, Secretary of Finance, Solicitor General, the former Minister of Justice and journalists.

But more than half of speakers who were invited did not turn up, including the chairman, Dr Sitiveni Halapua, and in his absence 'Uhila-mo e-Langi Fasi chaired the meeting.

The talatalanoa discussion became more lively as it progressed.

The Clerk of the House, Dr Viliami Latu, spoke on the legislations passed by Parliament to implement the reform and the role of Parliament.

Election Supervisor, Pita Vuki, spoke on the boundaries for the election.

Matangi Tonga Online Editor, Pesi Fonua, spoke on what the peoples' expectations are and what the people should know about the reform.

Other speakers included the former Minister of Justice 'Alisi Taumoepeau, Tongatapu People's Representative 'Akilisi Pohiva, and the Tourism CEO Sakopo Lolohea. Speakers from NGO's included Tuna Fielakepa from Langfonua, 'Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki from the Women and Children Crisis Centre, Rev Siketi Tonga from the Council of Churches, Faiva Tu'ifua Kolofo'ou District Officer, Dr 'Ana Taufe'ulungaki from Women's Group 'Fakatouhama' and a representative from the Youth Parliament.

Expectations

The Forum became very interesting before lunch break, when a pro-democracy member of parliament 'Akilisi Pohiva agreed that Tonga's proposed new Legislative Assembly is undemocratic, and said, "but we can't tell that to the people . . ."

'Akilisi was reacting to a speech by Pesi Fonua, Editor of the Matangi Tonga Online and the Chairman of the Media Council of Tonga who spoke on the topic "The Expectation of the People and What they should know."

Pesi summarized that:

• The people are expecting that they will have a Democratically Elected Parliament in November;
• They are expecting a government that will provide quality public services;
• They are expecting a government that will put into place institutions such as an Anti-corruption Commission to ascertain the integrity of the government;
• At this time of economic hardship, they also expect a government that will establish industries to provide employment.

But he said that what the People should know was that:

• The parliament that we are going to elect in November will be undemocratic;
• There will be no credible opposition in the new parliament.
• The Political Reform had been rushed and motions and legislations that had been passed by the House were out of procedure and therefore not legally binding.

Surprise

There were a few expressions of surprise from the audience on the thought that Tonga was about to elect an undemocratic parliament in November.

Pesi also explained how the House did not follow proper procedure to pass the proposed Electoral Boundaries, and the Bills to amend the Constitution and for the formation of a Boundary Commission.

Nauto 'Ata'ata, a local political commentator and a candidate for previous parliamentary election said that composition of the new parliament that the current members of parliament had agreed to was undemocratic, and he called for members of parliament who were in the audience to explain how it was that the House had agreed on such a system.

'Akilisi Pohiva, a People's Representative for Tongatapu agreed with what Pesi had outlined, but he cautioned that they should be careful on how to inform the people about it.

When 'Akilisi was challenged on why he was reluctant to inform the public that the system they were going to get in November was undemocratic, he responded that the issue had already been raised in public. He said it was more important that the people would have 17 PRs in the new parliament. This was, of course, despite the fact that the new Parliament would be dominated by the Cabinet and the there will be no credible opposition.

Tonga's new-look system of government will be something like this:

• Tonga will remain a Constitutional Monarchy under the leadership of King George Tupou V and his heirs;
• The king in the Privy Council will appoint the Chief Justice, the judges of the Appeal Court and the Attorney General. The Privy Council will also be the Court of Appeal for dispute over hereditary titles;
• The king will have the authority to assent legislation, dismantle parliament and to pardon prisoners;
• The members of the Privy Council will be appointed by the king and their role is to advise the king;
• The Privy Council will no longer have the authority to pass ordinances;
• The Tongan Parliament will have 26 members, and of these 17 will be elected by the people and nine will be elected by the 33 noble title-holders.

Election

Following an election, the king will appoint an Acting Speaker from outside, who is not an elected member of parliament. The Acting Speaker is to oversee the selection by the 26 elected members of a Prime Minister. The King will appoint the PM, after that person is nominated by the House.

Following the appointment of a Prime Minister, the nine nobles will select a Speaker from among themselves, who would then be appointed by the king as the Speaker of the House. The king will also appoint a Deputy Speaker, an elected Noble's Representative who has been nominated by the Prime Minister with the approval of the House.

The Prime Minister then will proceed and select his ministers, which should not be more than half of the members of the House, excluding the Speaker. The Prime Minister, if needed may appoint four Cabinet Ministers from outside who are not elected members, but the total number of Cabinet Ministers should remain at not more than half of the total members of the House. The half will depend on the number of Cabinet Members that the Prime Minister will bring in from outside.

The term of the members in the House will be four years.

The Forum was financially supported by the Commonwealth Foundation and the New Zealand High Commission.