Opponents warn pressure mounting on Tongan PM

Transcript

Mr Pohiva has come under fire for sacking the leadership of the state broadcaster, planning a golf course and park on a heritage site and belatedly pulling out of the Pacific games.

Last month Kalafi Moala, a former media advisor for the prime minister, called on Mr Pohiva to step down accusing him of incompetence.

Now that call has been endorsed by former government minister Sunia Fili, who was a long time member of Mr Pohiva's democracy party, before the 2014 campaign saw them part ways as the soon-to-be prime minister sought fresh faces.  

Mr Fili says Mr Pohiva has proven he is not a team player and his ideas have changed.

"This kind of mentality and character and action by him I do not believe [in]. I think he should also resign. He's old. I believe that he has changed. He was telling people different things outside but when coming into power, yes, I can say he has changed."

Former Tonga government minister Sunia Fili Photo: RNZI/Koro Vaka'uta

Opposition and Noble MP Lord Vaea, who was part February's failed vote of no-confidence against Mr Pohiva, says the tide is turning as issue after issue is brought to the attention of the public.  

"These things add up and so consequently people see him in a different light. It's not what he promised. What he promised when he wasn't prime minister is different to when he is actually on the seat so consequently this is what has happened and that's why I believe that people are having another look at the PM and his performance and why he decides things last minute rather than looking at things over a long period of time."   

Tongan opposition and Noble PM Lord Vaea Photo: RNZI/Koro Vaka'uta

Another Noble Representative is Lord Fusitu'a. 

He says something needs to be done because there is discontent and disillusionment in the country.

"It's definitely throughout the community and the country but it is even more acute in parliament because we have more of an inside knowledge of what this current administration is doing publicly and behind the scenes. So, current breaches of the rule of law that the public are aware of and current breaches of the rule of law that the public are not aware of which I understand will be the grounds for a number of impeachments."

Even though there is little more than 18 months remaining in the current term, Fusitu'a says public sector sackings and the recent games withdrawal prove that decisions can impact the nation quickly.

"It's unconscionable for us to let the country suffer for another year and a half and they may not say so but I think our Pacific neighbours, both the metropolitan and island nations, would agree that something needs to be done to get Tonga back on track."

Noble representative, Lord Fusitu'a. Photo: RNZI

A scheduled interview with 'Akilisi Pohiva was cancelled and efforts to reschedule were unsuccessful with his staff indicating he had been called away on urgent business with parliament resuming. 

From Nuku'alofa, this is Koro Vaka'uta.