As the latest Tongan Government political reform initiative begins to unfold, following the appointment of Cabinet ministers from elected members of Parliament on March 21, we are witnessing a number of interesting political happenings. At the same the Temo's position as an opposition to government has been weakened - they have lost their fighting edge with their acceptance of the government proposal for a piece-meal political reform program. Editor’s Comment
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Results for Opinion
Monday 28 March 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Friday 18 March 2005
Australia
Isn't it disappointing that none of these re-elected people's reps ever moved against such gross mismanagement of people's taxation money? It makes one wonder whether the pro-democracy conviction is really an objective that these gentlemen are living for or simply just another money-making rhetorical scheme. -Rev. Dr. Ma'afu Palu
Friday 18 March 2005
1 comment
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Now that the historical 2005 parliamentary general election is over, the next question is who will gain the Grace and Favour of the Royal Family to become Cabinet Ministers? Four ministers are to be selected this year from the new Nobles' and People's Representatives. Editor's Comment, by Pesi Fonua
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Friday 11 March 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As we discover this week that it is not viable for a New Zealander to invest in Tonga because of a restrictive New Zealand tax legislation, a number of questions spring to mind. It is definitely very unfair for these New Zealanders and Tongans who have made New Zealand their homes to find that investment in Tonga is made unprofitable by restrictive tax laws. Editor's Comment.
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Thursday 3 March 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.
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Friday 18 February 2005
USA
It was a tsunami like wave that was felt through out the land, the islands that is, when Mr. Edwards blasted the royals with accusations of misappropriations and misgivings during the time he was basking in the limelight and among the elites and the crème de la crème of the populace.
Friday 18 February 2005
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
As we are getting closer to Tonga's 2005 Parliamentary General Election on March 17 the idea of political change is still the popular campaign issue, and it is clearer now that we are looking at three different proposals, or models of government. - Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.
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Friday 18 February 2005
Auckland, New Zealand
We have observed an interesting trend in previous candidates competing for a place in parliament. They are as fierce as lions when campaigning with their out-spokenness, yet as soon as they get into parliament, it almost seems like someone had clipped their tongues like a wet bus ticket on the way in.
Tuesday 15 February 2005
1 comment
Auckland, New Zealand
Although once touted as the country having the most PhD graduates/tertiary graduates per capita in the world, it remains puzzling how the Kingdom of Tonga has been lagging behind in so many aspects of government, society, law, business, religion and economics etc., for so long now.
Thursday 10 February 2005
6 comments
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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,
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Tuesday 8 February 2005
Honolulu, Hawaii
Congratulations on 14 million hits in 2004. It is quite exciting to read all letters to the Editor and all individual opinions. - M. T. Tuaileva
Monday 7 February 2005
California, USA
Clive Edwards was for eight years the most active and public critic of Tonga's pro-democracy movement even succeeding, at times, in jailing pro-democracy Members of Parliament. Now, however, he wants to join them as one of the nine Commoner MPs. How can someone who has spent close to a decade trying to keep the people out of Parliament suddenly claim that he is one of the commoners now? It's all a ploy to get back into a position of power so as to finish a lot of what he started earlier in his career. - Siane Tu‘ione
Friday 4 February 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
When I became Minister, Kalafi Moala's little newspaper attacked me weekly for a period of nine years. These attacks have come in the form of nasty, personal letters to the Editor and articles which were all prepared by Kalafi Moala and his staff. ...His obsession for personal revenge is making him a fanatical campaigner. - Clive Edwards.
Thursday 3 February 2005
San Francisco, USA
In Response to Tupou Layton: ‘To demand respect you must earn respect'. Reading your letter, I couldn't decide if you were simply trying to put HRH Tupouto'a in his place or if you were auditioning for NBC's The Apprentice. -Siane Tui'one
Wednesday 2 February 2005
London, UK
I have been reading all the discussions with great sadness. Our Crown Prince has all the right to defend himself and Clive has all the right in the world to say what he wants to say. What is missing here is the people, the poor loyal servants of the island Kingdom, the "Paradise of the Pacific". - S. Vaiangina
Tuesday 1 February 2005
New York, USA
To respond to the Tongan Crown Prince Tupouto'a's comments about my honest opinions on his behalf, I would say " To Demand Respect You Must Earn Respect" whether you are a member of royals, nobles or leaders, you must show commpassion and respect to your own people. -Tupou Layton
Monday 31 January 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kingdom Air Services Limited was a company formed by five local business men (including two former Royal Tongan pilots now both working overseas and myself) in conjunction with a significant offshore investor, to apply for a domestic air services license following the collapse of Royal Tongan Airlines in March 2004. The local shareholders were to hold only a minority interest (25% between them) in the company. -Steve Edwards
Monday 31 January 2005
California, USA
We have just returned from Tonga after two months 'eva and it was one of the most interesting and enjoyable times I've ever had, living a bit far away from the capital at one of the villages, and looking at how people in Tonga handle and are perceiving political and social happenings in our Kingdom. - Fuai'api Sime
Friday 28 January 2005
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The lengthy explanation of HRH Tupouto'a confirms in detail his knowledge of what was going on, his involvement and participation. These explanations contradict what he previously said viz: ...."I was opposed to the anti-media laws on the grounds that they were not our style of doing things in this country".... How can HRH be opposed when he allowed the Bills to go through and presided over meetings where he gave advice and directions on how to maintain a united front to secure enactment of the Bills? - Clive Edwards.
Friday 28 January 2005
Kolofo'ou, Tonga
The heavy artillery for the ongoing misleading assault was provided by the former Minister of Police who also signed the agreement that transferred the operations of the Tonga Electric Power Board to Shoreline, while he was in government. - Sitiveni Finau
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