Transcript
These latest petitions are not dissimilar to complaints to the King that led to the dissolution of parliament in 2017 and the subsequent re-election of Mr Pohiva.
The petitioners remain unhappy with the Pohiva government as Noble MP Lord Fusitu'a explains.
“There are continuous breaches of the law and breaches of the constitution, bypassing the practices such as proper procurement practices, tendering practices. My understanding is that the grounds upon which the previous Speaker had advised His Majesty to dissolve the year before last, [those] breaches have increased in the past year, resulting in this current petition.”
Fusitu'a says the petitioners are exercising a constitutional right to take their concerns directly to the King.
Massey University's Malakai Koloamatangi agrees and says the petitioners are from right across Tongan society.
“There is a portion of the group that is allied with the last government but also a large part of the group who were also with 'Akilisi Pohiva at one stage or another. So, it's a mixed group and they have nobles and civil servants and so on and so forth. So, it is not a group that can be viewed as having a certain grievance against the government. The only concern that I would have is that His Majesty is forced into a position where an elected government is disbanded. That is problematic, not only under the constitution but also politically.”
Dr Koloamatangi says King Tupou VI is handling the matter sensitively, referring the petition to the Privy Council to deliberate on.
“I think the approach that he took before in terms of dissolving parliament - this time around if he were contemplating that he would have to have some very serious reasons to do that.”
Lawyer and a sometime political opponent of Mr Pohiva, Sione Fonua, says the disquiet that led to the petitions is a sign the country is still coming to terms with what greater democracy means for the country.
He says he would like to see Tongans let democracy evolve organically.
“I would like to see the people and the democracy in Tonga grow by itself. For example, there has to a very strong opposition coming up now to be an alternative government, and let the people learn that when they are voting they are not voting for church members, relatives, friends, they are voting for the best policies.”
Lord Fusitu'a says there have been hints of trouble if there is a dissolution.
“I have heard murmurings that should a dissolution occur the supporters of the current government have threatened violence. That's been posted all over social media. They have shown actual photos of themselves with illegal arms.”
Meanwhile, Mr Pohiva has slammed the petitions.
He called them trouble making.
Matangi Tonga says Mr Pohiva told local journalists that he is convinced the King does not have the right to dissolve his government and to appoint an interim government.
He said it is his government's view that the petitioners are pushing the King to make an unconstitutional decision.
