Tonga's King Tupou VI has referred three petitions criticising the government to the ombudsman, the attorney general and the police commissioner.
He has also called for the Anti Corruption Commission to be adequately funded.
Matangi Tonga reports the ombudsman has been directed to consider the claims of maladministration made in the petitions and to take appropriate action in response.
The attorney general and the police commissioner are to bring any prosecutions if they consider there has been any breach of criminal or civil law.
In a statement on the website the King is said to have considered the opinion of the judicial committee of the Privy Council, and a legal opinion from the acting attorney general.
