Questions to PM: Lies About CEDAW; Who Pays for Burning of Nuku‘alofa? ^Featured

The Prime Minister’s Office made up these fraudulent lies to deceive the country. The PM and Cabinet simply wanted to take credit in the eyes of the world media − something their so-called “pro-democracy” PTOA party has habitually done in the past. But they voted unanimously in Parliament against ratifying it in 2009; the vote was 18-1 to reject ratification of CEDAW.

Now that the Roman Catholic Church in Tonga has recently confirmed their rejection of CEDAW shows me real evidence that there were no “consultations” with leaders of that church. Additionally, a recent decision by the Tonga Council of Churches to hold further consultations on the CEDAW issue in the near future also shows me that neither of the other churches was consulted.

Why Should Our Children Pay for PTOA Failed “Coup D’état?”

Additionally, the TO$138.9 million of the multi-million-dollar loan from China is to repair damages Prime Minister Pōhiva and his pro-democracy supporters inflicted on the Kingdom in their “failed coup d’état” of November 16, 2006.

This day is to be remembered in disgrace, where properties of innocent people were destroyed, and eight (8) innocent lives lost in the fires, and hundreds were sentenced to prison. Does the PM have amnesia, or is it a case of selective memory? Perhaps it is schizophrenia where he recently been seeing phantom attackers at his residence?

How does Prime Minister Pōhiva, and his PTOA cronies, plan to repay those innocent businesspeople for the loss of their livelihood? I see no reason why our children and grandchildren must pay for the crimes of so-called pro-democracy “useful idiots.”

PM’s Bogus Economic Assessment

The Prime Minister has also recently complained about the large amount of Government debts, which previous governments have incurred in recent past. He said in a public speech, “This is the worst economy in the history of our country.” But he did not quote statistics to backup is claims.

In contrary, IMF (International Monetary Fund Bank) 2014 Report praises the improvements in the economy of the Kingdom that leveled out at 1.0% of GDP from 2013 to 2014; upon which GDP growth is to continue from 1.5% to 2.0% in 2015. Furthermore, Tonga has improved from a developing economy to a middle-income economy.

I posed the question to former Prime Minister Dr. Sevele: Why does the PM’s assessment go contrary to industry statistics? Dr. Sevele replied that I should address the question to the PM. However, he confirms that the strength of a country’s economy is its ability to keep its debt payments current; and Tonga has not missed a payment deadline.

Dr. Sevele further challenges PM Pōhiva to backup his claims of the “worst” economy with current statistics.

(Sione A. Mokofisi is a published journalist in the U.S. and Tongan media. He wrote for daily papers and served as editor on weekly newspapers, print and online magazines. He also worked professionally in corporate marketing and sales, human-resource management, and sales of financial products and services. He holds a MBA, and is Director of English, Journalism & Languages at Tonga International Academy.)