TONGA: Disagreements holding up political reform
Updated
Disagreement over when and how to hold elections are holding up progress within Tonga's tripartite committee on political reform. The committee includes MPs representing the government, nobles and the people, and has been given an extension until September the 6th to come up with an agreement on changes to the make up of the Kingdom's parliament.
Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speakers: Akilisi Pohiva, Tongan pro-democracy movement leader
POHIVA: There is a fear on the part of some people in Tonga, especially the nobles that a Tongan who are living overseas and who may not come back to Tonga. They have every right to sell their lands to some other people. They really want the money, because they don't want to come back. That might happen that is another thing to be looked into and to be taken into consideration. However, the bill has been passed in parliament and signed by His Majesty and that's it.
HILL: What side of politics do you think overseas Tongans would tend to support more?
POHIVA: I have no doubt in mind that the Tongan people who are living overseas enjoy all the benefits and the privileges those democratic countries offer them, and I don't see any good reason for any Tongan living under a democratic government not to support our effort and our struggle for political reform to be implemented as soon as possible. There may be a few people who are pro-government, but they are living in New Zealand, Australia, in the United States, but there's only a few of them. The majority of the Tongan people living overseas that they support, they strongly support our push for a democratic form of government to take place as soon as possible.
HILL: There are now more Tongans living overseas than actually live in Tonga. Is there a fear that perhaps overseas Tongans by now having the right to vote in elections could have an influence on Tongan politics out of proportion perhaps to the Tongans living in Tonga?
POHIVA: Well, it may happen. There's a possibility. But under the existing election act they have to come to Tonga if they want to have their vote. The other option is for Tongan embassies and consuls in New Zealand, Australia, in the United States to look after the election exercise. But governments still have to put up a bill, legislation to cover this area.
HIILL: Do you think that would be a good idea?
POHIVA: Well, there may be some sort of impact on election and also on the political future on Tonga. There are more Tongans living overseas than the Tongans who are living in Tonga now. And we must expect that there would be some sort of impact. It could be negative impact or positive impact, but we must accept the fact that they will play an important role in the political life and political future of our country.
