Tonga PM 'Akilisi Pohiva

The Prime Minister who has taken frequent trips to New Zealand for medical reasons, returned to Tonga at the weekend, and participated in an early Government birthday presentation to the King yesterday.

Yet, observers claim he looked quite ill.

It had been confirmed earlier that Mr Pohiva's illness is liver disease.

"He was checked recently in Auckland whether he should have surgery, but obviously he was released to be able to travel back to Tonga," the source said.

'Akilisi Pohiva has had a tense relationship with the Tonga Broadcasting Commission in recent times, labeling it an "enemy of the government" and criticizing it for not supporting the government's work.

He has forced the TBC chair Tapu Panuve to resign, is looking to replace the general manager Nanise Fifita and has not ruled out other changes.

Mr Pohiva said the board had repeatedly failed, in spite of regular requests from cabinet to make sure that the TBC carried out its function.

He said as government property the TBC needed to adhere to those requests.