Results for Editorials

The Tonga government's current sense of urgency to introduce a Freedom of Information Policy and to activate an Anti-Corruption Commission, is a sign that it has come to terms with the need to take its reform program to another level, and to have a more transparent, and corruption-free administration. After a year-long search for a more democratic system, the new government is still trying to find its feet as the Constitutional and Political Reform continues to unfold itself.

One year on from last November's general election that heralded political reform, it is timely to look closely at how Tonga’s new government is shaping-up during the first year of its four-year term in office. Editor's Comment FROM OUR ARCHIVES

As we await the opening of Tonga's new Parliament before January 13, Nuku'aofa is buzzing with speculation over the likely composition of the new Cabinet that Prime Minister Tu'ivakano is about to name.

We can say that: "The Battle is over and the War has started" and that is probably the best way to describe the outcome of the first round of Tonga's Parliamentary Election yesterday, as Tongans prepare for the second round of voting by the new members of parliament who are tasked with putting a new government into place within the next 28 days. by Pesi Fonua

The legality of parliament's voting on a very important motion and two reform bills legalizing Political Reform has become an issue that the Tonga Legislative Assembly has to address in order for the proposed political reform and the November 25 parliamentary general election to proceed. ...It wasn't that the House didn't know what they were doing. It is clear from the minutes that members were fully aware that they were passing an amendment that had not been drafted. They were also aware that they did not understand the bills and had not debated them before raising their hands in unison. In the Minutes, People's Reps 'Akilisi Pohiva and 'Isileli Pulu are on record saying that it was most unusual for the House to pass bills without even understanding the bills and the proposed amendment, but they both expressed their trust in the Minister of Justice and the Cabinet to go ahead and draft good bills. EDITOR'S COMMENT By Pesi Fonua.

The Tongan Parliament is making itself irrelevant to the political reform process that it set for 2010, by failing to agree on the fundamentals for a new system of government for Tonga, and at the same time has left itself out of the decision-making process of the Constitutional and Electoral Reform Commission by not meeting the July 6 deadline for submissions. Editor's Comment.

Following the posting of my Editorial, "Fresh new parliament needs fresh new members" on February 23, there has been some aggressive flak from a People's Representative and reactions from political observers that attempt to distract from the points that were made. I have consistently pointed out that if Tonga sets up a new parliament with such a composition of 26 members...it is clear to see we will put a dictator in power. The great challenge before Tonga now is to put a democratic government into place as soon as possible and to avoid allowing vested interests to create a dictatorship. Editor's Comment.

'Public Participation' is a principle that the Tonga government appears to be striving to effect as we are trying to implement our economic and political reform programs. . . . The setback is an apparent reluctance by the Tongan people to participate in consultations in a meaningful and constructive way. Editor's Comment.

As we face the New Year of 2009, it is time to reassess our perceptions and the reality of our economic and political reform programs. Editor's Comment.