Radio & TV Tonga, Nuku’alofa, 22/02/2019

The Prime Minister, Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva called a media conference yesterday to clarify government’s stand on the issues raised by the Petition of the Committee against corruption.

The Prime Minister said they are preparing a reply to be submitted to His Majesty  and they will not reply to all the issues raised in the petition because some have been addressed in parliament from the earlier petition. The rest of the concern which directly impact the people are being taken care of with reply to be submitted also.

Hon  Pohiva maintained that there are other avenues the petitioners could have used to lodge their complaints to, such as the courts if they have evidence of wrong doing or the Ombudsman.

This also applies to the issue of having an independent Royal commission to investigate the matters raised in the petition.

The Prime Minister said he sees no point in the petitioners hope that Parliament be dissolved by His Majesty.

He also clarified claims that his government wanted to challenge His Majesty’s remaining executive power.  The Prime Minister said members of parliament are free to formulate bills and their move to do this, is interpreted as forming bills to remove His Majesty’s powers.  He added, this is pure treason and that is not their intention.

© Radio and Television Tonga News