Results for From the Local Press

The Kele'a reacts to suggestions by the Parliamentary Reform Committee chairman, Noble Luani, that political reform should proceed at an unhurried pace and not be aired publicly, while the topic was still being debated by the committee. It accuses Noble Luani of siding with the government and called for his immediate dismissal. It also blames the government for having bridled the committee and claims that political reform is now going in circles. The Kele'a advocates the termination of a committee that it describes as a waste of money, time, and a cause of people's anger.

Tonga's local television stations marked two milestones recently.

The coverage of the local newspapers published in Tonga last week, from September 20-22, focused mainly on the aftermath of the national strike by the Civil Servants, and a proposal by politicians for political change.

Prince Tu'ipelehake, a nephew of Tonga's king, was Chairman of the Whole House committee of the Tongan Legislature, last year, but failed to win re-election in March to the Nobles seats, after moving his electorate from Ha'apai to Tongatapu. During his time in the House he supported calls for political reform and was outspoken in defending freedom of speech in Tonga.

The results of the Nobles' and the People's By-elections on May 3 and 5 featured on the front pages of three of the four newspapers that were published in Tonga, during the week May 7-13.

An argument among "Demos" People's Representatives, and between the Demos and the new kid on the block, the People's Democratic Party, featured in most of the local newspapers this week in Tonga, apart from the Kele'a, which featured another episode in the Piveni Pikula revelations about Shoreline.

Prominent on the front pages of the Kalonikali, the Kele'a and the Talaki this week was the Inter-College Sports, and the Talaki also reported a move to form a People's Democratic Party. While the front pages of the two issues of the Taimi 'o Tonga this week featured Tongan-New Zealand stories.

The local weeklies were back to normal this week after the general election,and were featuring a range of front page news stories. The Taimi ‘o Tonga featured ‘Etuate Lavulavu, Talaki reported a possible challenge of the outcome of the Ha'apai election because of alleged dual registration by some voters and the Kele'a captured the attention of the reading public with the second and the final part of an interview of Shoreline whistle-blower Piveni Piukala, by Tavake Fusimalohi.

The March 17 Parliamentary Election maintains it's strong presence on the front page of all newspapers published in Tonga this week - the Tonga Star, Taimi ‘o Tonga and the Ko e Kele‘a.