Results for Editorials

When Professor Futa Helu withdrew his support from 'Akilisi Pohiva and Dr Feleti Sevele, and endorsed Clive Edwards as the Number One candidate for Tongatapu in the recent March parliamentary election, he initiated a split in Tonga's Pro-democracy Movement. Tonga now has two Demo camps, the Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement and the People's Democratic Party, which have begun to be critical of each other. - Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua

FROM OUR ARCHIVES: The saying today in Tonga that some people can get away with million dollar day-light robberies, while others may be sent to jail for stealing the neighbour’s chicken, is very true if you look at what has been happening during the past few months. The March parliamentary election has stretched some people’s imaginations to the limit so that they do things that an ordinary bible-carrying, big ta'ovala wearing Tongan would not do, which is simply cheating in order to get a few votes. - Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua

Ten years ago Tonga introduced its 15% Consumption Tax in April 2005. FROM OUR ARCHIVES: The timing of the rushed introduction of the new Tonga Consumption Tax or TCT, makes one wonder if government had deliberately chosen April 1 to give the parliamentary candidates and the public something to chew on while they work themselves up to a voting mood on March 17. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.

The approach by government to appoint four cabinet ministers from the 18 elected members of the House this year has given a new dimension to Tonga's 2005 parliamentary election. Now, in effect, an elected member of the "opposition" may cross the floor to become a member of the cabinet. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua,

There is an urgent need for Tonga to take a decisive action in 2005 on how to move forward with its economic and political reform programs. Editor's comment by Pesi Fonua.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES December 6, 2004. In this age of globalisation and Free Trade we are told we need to label our precious products. Therefore we should make sure that our "Made in Tonga" stamp sticks as Tongan youth move overseas to pursue their careers. Tonga has to handle its citizenship issue carefully. After years of being relaxed with the dual citizenship issue, why is government now disowning Tongans who have made us proud in the world sporting arena? - Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.

On November 10 King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and his Prime Minister, Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, made a historical decision to appoint four new Cabinet Ministers from the 18 members of parliament who will be elected in the General Election in February 2005. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua.

Tonga's process of law making at the moment is a matter of great concern. The recent overturning by Chief Justice Webster of the conflicting media laws, means we have to take a closer look at how laws are made in this country. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua.

Under Tonga'’s Constitutional Monarchy system of Government the final executive decision-making power remains with the King. Therefore the burden of finding a solution to Tonga'’s current economic and Constitutional crises rests squarely on the shoulders of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. - Editor's Comment. Matangi Tonga, Vol. 18, No. 3