Author: Areti Metuamate, ANU

The 2014 general elections in Tonga broke records. A record number of candidates stood for parliament, including a record high number of women, voter registration was high and voter turnout reached a new record. But how will the new government tackle the steep challenges facing the island nation?

Please allow me to voice my humble opinion pertaining to the rhetoric with implications expressed by others in dehumanizing and demonizing the new Prime Minister’s choice in picking his son to be his personal assistant of all things. The end days must be fast approaching if this so-called political storm fueled by this minimal of actions has such a profound effect and impact on this new-found and sudden morally conscious psyche of our kingdom. I must say it is really quiet sad and much ado about nothing

Re: Mo‘ale Finau Ha‘apai’s new Governor, Feb. 06, 2015. PM Pōhiva criticized former PM Tu‘ivakanō in 2011 on the appointments of Dr. ‘Ana Maui Taufe‘ulungaki as Minister of Education, and Attorney Clive Edwards as Minister of Law.

Tonga’s “de facto” new government of Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, who masterminded the hijacking of the majority ballots cast by voters on November 27, 2014 general elections, is basking delightfully in power today. Thanks to the local media’s adoration of this political “sophism” where they were too busy promoting Mr. Pōhiva and his PTOA party instead of vetting him and his cronies.

Tongan journalist Pesi Fonua reported the “House [was] in an uproar” this January 21st, 2015, on hearing Tonga’s Premier ‘Akilisi Pohiva had hired his son as his personal assistant at the Prime Minister’s Office (Fonua, 2015). Lord Vaea was the challenger in parliament’s debating chamber, and rightly so, in a role that might be considered leader of an opposition of eight nobles’ representatives to the Pohiva led coalition.