Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi has resigned from Tonga’s Cabinet as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources as well as Minister for His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
The resignation letter was tendered to Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva Friday.
Pohiva said in a statement that he had Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi’s letter of resignation from Cabinet and he has accepted it.
“I will now recommend to His Majesty, King Tupou VI, in accordance with clause 51(3)(a) of our Constitution that because I have received his letter of resignation, that Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi’s appointment as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and as Minister responsible for His Majesty’s Armed Forces be revoked forthwith”.
No reasons were given for the sudden resignation.
Pohiva publicly thanked Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi for his dedicated service to Cabinet and to His Majesty’s Government.
Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi’s resignation comes a day after the Prime Minister refused to accept the resignation letter of Minister of Police, Customs and Revenue, Mateni Tapueluelu.
The Minister claimed he did not receive support from some Cabinet Ministers for his plans to tackle what Mr Pohiva refers to as corruption within the police force.
Mr Tapueluelu was also concerned at his relative lack of authority within the Ministry of Police compared with that of the police commissioner.
He said Mr Tapueluelu has tabled submissions regarding police corruption but he did not get the backing of his colleagues.
He'd made specific recommendations for action by the cabinet regarding senior staff, including the commissioner and some of his deputies.
Photo by Kaniva News Lord Ma’afutukui’aulahi