Results for Editorials

On opening Tonga's Legislative Assembly last week, the Princess Regent, HRH Princess Pilolevu, noted the historical significance of the 2008-10 parliamentary session. But while the seriousness of the reform mission is being underlined by our leaders, a more immediate concern has not been addressed - and that is the fact that the integrity of the current Tongan Parliament itself remains questionable. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua.

In spite of our national eagerness to embrace the economic and political reform programs that were introduced by government during the first few years of a new century, the reality was that the strong words that were used to describe the reforms and win public support were followed by the indifference and elements of uncertainty that the reforms were implemented with. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua

The status of Tonga's political reform remains exactly where it was stuck when the members of parliament voted on it before the closure of parliament at the end of October 2007. Editor's Comment. By Pesi Fonua

The decision by the Tonga Legislative Assembly to select three People's Representatives, Clive Edwards, 'Akilisi Pohiva and 'Uliti Uata to be members of a Tripartite Committee to vet political reform proposals for Tonga is as much a set back in our strive for political reform in Tonga in the 21st century as was the destruction in Nuku'alofa on November 16 last year. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.

When Taufa'ahau Tupou IV came to the Tongan throne on July 4, 1967, for most Tongans it was the dawn of a new era. The new king, at 49, epitomised what Tongans of the 1960s perceived to be a perfect 20th century monarch. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua.

The sudden death of Prince Tu'ipelehake was a great loss to Tonga's political reform movement. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua.

Tonga prides itself as the only sovereign country in the South Pacific that was never colonised, and therefore in the 21st century we should have been able to claim the title of the most politically mature, vibrant and stable country in the region. But we are far from it. So what went wrong? Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua

With the rankling that is going on between the government and the Public Servants Association (PSA), to find a way forward there is obviously a need for both to revisit the Memorandum of Understanding they signed on September 3, ending the six-week national strike of Tonga's public servants. Editor's Comment. By Pesi Fonua.

What is going to happen in Tonga on December 5, 2005? The date has been earmarked by constitutional reformers as a deadline for government to make an immediate response to their demands for people to have the right to choose all members of parliament. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.