The front pages of the three Local newspapers the Taimi, the Talaki and the Kalonikali, published this week, were dominated by story of the sudden death of Tonga's Minister of Defence, Col. Fetu'utolu Tupou, but other key stories included the planned May 7 march by petitioners to the Palace, the formation of the People's Democratic Party, and the need for more security at the prison to stop escapes.

Taimi

The political story of the Taimi in its Tuesday, April 19 edition was about the proposed protest march to the Palace on May 7. The march was the outcome of public meetings that were organised by the three Tongatapu elected People's Representatives.

A petition contains six issues that the protesters want the King to do something about. 'Akilisi Pohiva, the Tongatapu No. 1 People's Representative said that on May 7 the marchers would not leave Pangai until they received a response from the King. The Petition calls ...–

1. For power generation to be returned from Shoreline to the government

2. For Shoreline and Southpac to repay customs duty that they wrongly did not pay when they imported construction material under the Development Licence of Shoreline.

3. Concern over the Internet domain name .to that is owned by Tupouto'a

4. Concern over orbital slots that are owned by Pilolevu and known as Tongasat

5. To stop the payment of salaries of nobles who are not living on their estates.

6. For the royal family to become just figure-heads and to leave the running of the country to the people.

'Akilisi said they were ready for a long camp outside the Palace if it would be needed. A church service has been planned for the Sunday, and they also planned for people from the villages to take turns in occupying the camp outside the Palace, until they hear from the King.

'Akilisi was reported to have had a three-hour talk with the Prince Regent, Crown Prince Tupouto'a and there were some comforting responses, but he said that a definitive answer was needed from the King.

Talaki

The Talaki...’s political story for the week, in its Wednesday April 20 edition, was a war cry from Teisina Fuko, the president of the newly established People...’s Democratic Party ...– "This Party will not Back Off", said Teisina.

In his first speech after he was elected president on April 15, Teisina stressed the importance for members to work together, because with unity they have power.

The elected officials of the PDP were, Teisina Fuko President, assisted by Sefesi Kanongata'a Hausia. Semisi Tapueluelu as Secretary, assisted by Sione Talanoa Fifita, and Kamipeli Tofa as the Treasurer. Also established was an Advisory Committee and the members were, Seluini 'Akau'ola, Futa Helu and Clive Edwards.

The meeting also established a Constitution and Law Committee. The members of this committee were Clive Edwards, Masao Paasi, Mo'ale Finau, Mana Kaufusi, Semisi Tapueluelu, Kamipeli Fota and Sangster Saulala.

Kalonikali Tonga

The main story of the Kalonikali Tonga in its Thursday April 21 edition was a four-days regional meeting in Nuku'alofa on April 18 attended by 25 women from throughout the region.

The objective of the meeting was to look at the government's Millennium Development Goals and the CEDAW Convention for the protection of women's right.

The Kalonikali also featured a story, an explanation by the Superintendent of the Hu'atolitoli Prison, Sione Falemanu, on why there had been a number of prisoners escaping from the prison in recent months.

...“They escaped because they are tired of working,...” said the Prison Superintendent Sione Falemanu

Sione put down the reason for prisoners escaping because in their normal life they were very lazy people. He said that in their normal life they would wake up in the morning and the first thing they do is to look for something to steal. He said that most of these escaped prisoners were deportees from overseas who had been living this life style overseas, where though unemployed, but they were paid welfare benefits by government. He said that very lenient penalties given by judges did not deter them from escaping.

To minimise prisoners from escaping from prison he said that a lot of maintenance work was needed to be done to the prison compound, such as a security fence, and that he needed 28 more wardens.