Results for Parliament

In talks with SCP Managing Director John Jonesse leading up to the possible purchase of the Ashika ferry, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Public Enterprise 'Inoke Vala, took what Jonesse advised him at face value.

A suggestion that the Ashika ferry tragedy had resulted from systematic failure of the Tonga government, was rejected by Tonga's Prime Minister, who stressed that the laws, regulations, policies and procedures are in place; but he accepted that it was the failure of individuals who failed to comply with their responsibilities under the laws of the country.

At the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Princess Ashika today, the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise, Hon 'Afu'alo Matoto, said he could have done better to ensure that proper due diligence was conducted prior to the purchase of the vessel instead of being too trusting and accepting information given to him.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika was told today, that because of the urgency in the purchasing of a ferry, the initial FJ$90,000 dollars (an equivalent of TOP$88,250) was paid from a government fund specifically out of the Ministry of Finance vote; while the remaining FJ$510,000 was paid from a separate Government Fund that held, in part, payments from the People's Republic of China in a Special Account at the National Reserve Bank.

The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise Hon ‘Otenifi ‘Afu‘alo Matoto bluntly told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika that he was misley by the former Minister of Transport Paul Karalus.

The Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Managing Director John Jonesse was persistently questioned at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Ashika today where he denied submissions that he was dishonest and untruthful in his dealings with the Ashika vessel, which included his report that it was well maintained - when it was not.

The Sale and Purchase Agreement for the MV Princess Ashika signed on May 8, 2009, was unusual because the Government of Tonga was required to pay the full F$600,000 dollars regardless of the condition of the vessel, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika learned on February 10.

A Provisional Survey Certificate for the Princess Ashika prepared on July 3, 2009 was backdated to the day before, July 2, as directed by the Acting Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu to a Computer Operator at the Marine Division of the Ministry of Transport, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Ashika was told on February 8.

Kalesita Taumoepeau, an Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Transport who was a personal assistant to former Transport Minister Paul Karalus, asserted him as being very diligent, honest and hardworking in relation to his work.