Democracy

Tongan diaspora get a say

A national dialogue on democracy and development is being held in Mangere in South Auckland on Saturday.

Organiser Malakai Koloamatangi said it followed on from a similar event he organised in Tonga just ahead of a snap election in 2017.

He said the Tongan diaspora was very keen to have its say over what is happening back in Tonga.

 

Photo file Caption: Tongan diaspora in New Zealand 

     

New research reveals King disappointed commoner not chosen as PM after Tonga’s 2010 election

In her PhD thesis, Democratisation in Asia – Pacific Monarchies , former New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, Christine Bogle, said the king had hoped to see the first election under the new system come up with a commoner as Prime Minister, presumably to give additional legitimacy and democratic credentials to the reforms.

She described the Tu’ivakanō and successive Pōhiva governments as “lacklustre” and subject to unsuccessful attempts at a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

Tongan PM says democrats are united despite allegations of bribery

There have been allegations of nobles attempting to bribe members of the Democratic Party to join forces with them.

Speaking to the Tongan programme Le'o 'o e 'Otu Felenite, 'Akilisi Pohiva says as far as he's concerned, his democratic party is united and no one has buckled under any of the bribes.

He says if re-elected, he's determined to eliminate corruption in government so that they're able to move forward as a nation.

Pohiva says corruption is hindering Tonga's progress and although he cannot get rid of it, they'll definitely try to reduce it.

Tongan PM wants to get rid of Noble MPs within a decade

Akilisi Pohiva says he wants to eventually remove the nine noble members of the Kingdom's parliament, and have the House made up only of MPs who have been elected by the people.

But he says that getting rid of the noble representatives will take time, predicting it may take up to ten years to achieve.

Pohiva told Pacific Beat that political reforms are yet to be completed.

Troubles bring Pohiva govt support says former advisor

King Tupou VI dissolved parliament after the speaker claimed the government was acting unconstitutionally and trying to gather power for itself.

The government of 'Akilisi Pohiva was hampered by controversies during its tenure but managed to survive a vote of no-confidence earlier in the year

Voters will now go to the polls on November 16 and Lopeti Senituli said Mr Pohiva's support had grown through his recent troubles.

Tongans searching for consensus on democracy - academic

A National Dialogue on Democracy starts in Nuku'alofa tomorrow as the country prepares to go to the polls on November the 16th.

This comes after King Tupou VI dissolved the parliament and effectively sacked prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva.

Everyone's been invited to take part in the dialogue which aims to take stock of the democratic reforms brought in under a new constitution in 2010.

Respect is an obstacle for Tongan democracy: researcher

King Tupou VI dissolved parliament last month and has called for new elections to be held before November 16. Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pōhiva is the first commoner to be elected into the role.

Professor Helen Lee from Australia's La Trobe University, who has written extensively on Tongan culture, says despite the involvement of nobles in passport scams, diversion of aid-funding, links to organised crime, and the King's holiday trip the day after the Ashika Ferry disaster, most Tongans have no desire to disempower the monarchy.

Parliamentary campaigner speaks out in Tonga

Mr Khan is in Tonga promoting awareness about democracy.

He said it's necessary to choose the best people to become leaders and parliament's role is to ensure voters' voices and interests are represented.

Mr Khan said women make up half of the world's population yet continue to be grossly under-represented in parliaments.

Radio Tonga reports Mr Khan saying a modern parliament addresses the concerns of all sectors of society.

 

 

The Secretary General of the CPA, Akbar Khan. Photo: RNZ/Koroi Hawkins