Last month 'Akilisi Pohiva began his second term in the local intensive care unit with an unspecified illness.
Mr Pohiva said he had still not recovered and didn't know how long it would take before he will be. In the meantime he said he was resting and trying not to be too involved in the workings of government.
Mr Pohiva explained that he was following doctors' orders.
"They advised me not to be involved, to get away from Tonga for a while and then come back but I can't. I have to have a look at what had happened and our plan for the future," Mr Pohiva explained.
