Results for Politics

The eagerly awaited final report of Tonga's Constitutional and Electoral Commission released this week, contains some 80 recommendations on how to structure a new system of government for Tonga. While there are no surprises, the Commission does voice a concern over an apparent lack of understanding of its aims and the actual contents of its reports by some of the members of the House, who will be trusted with making the final decision on the new structure. By Pesi Fonua

Tonga's political reform is precisely a reforming of the composition of the parliament, Dr Malakai Koloamatangi, a Political Science Lecturer at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, told members of the Tongan media on Wednesday, September 9.

I believe that most people are making a very critical mistake of thinking of democracy as a destination and not viewing it as a process. Democracy is not a certain model or a specific type of people's representation, and this point can be proven by the fact that no two democracies in the world are the same. At the heart of democracy are principles that increase transparency and accountability, but at the same time the success of accomplishing these ideals requires an informed and participating public.

I wish to suggest that we must slow down the current process, which is aimed at bringing about a radical change to the political system in Tonga by the year 2010. - Rev Dr Ma‘afu Palu

Modern Tonga was born, as Pacific historians claimed, out of a marriage of convenience between monarchy and Christianity, may I propose that postmodern Tonga should be conceived out of a marriage of necessity between philosophical, cultural, and political motifs and paradoxes which constitute Tonga's political reality. We need to reflect deeply on how to merge the present political reality and the democratic ideals, traditions and post-modernism, culture and politics, monarchy and democracy. Any attempt to create a short-cut solution by unreservedly embracing democracy is, nothing short of political suicide. - Senituli Penitani

Let's first talk about the US economy. We here in America are just fine. Our children are still well fed. They are still well clothed. They still lie down at night and say their prayers on a warm bed. We share with those who are not fortunate enough. The laughter and smiles we see and hear from our children makes us wonder if there is really a recession. We know there is a recession but we are going to walk out of it together. I don't have time to write all day so I will get to the point.

The names of five candidates submitted for the Constitution and Electoral Commission may receive the formal endorsement from the Privy Council at the end of this week.

Since parliament passed the Bill for the Constitutional and Electoral Commission Act on July 22 neither the Cabinet, the Nobles' Representatives nor the People's Representatives have nominated their representatives for the Commission. By Pesi Fonua

The Langafonua Tu'uloa Party is calling on the Prime Minister of Tonga Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele and three other Cabinet Ministers to step down claiming they have breached a Public Proclamation made in 2004 and that their term in office has since expired.