Tongans elect House critics

Press, 23 February 1987, Page 10

Tongans elect House critics

NZPA-AAP Nuku’Alofa Half of the elected members of Parliament in Tonga were replaced in last week’s election. Nine newcomers included some of the Government’s most vehement critics, and political observers said the first session of the new House in June promises to be fiery. Final results of last Thursday’s poll for the nine “people’s representatives” in the 28-seat Parliament were released on Saturday after clarification of some figures from outlying islands. They confirmed six new members, including all three representatives from the largest island, Tongatapu. The three are a popular airline agent, Sione Matekihefuka Lemoto — who plastered the town with posters in a vigorous campaign — a newsletter editor, Samiuela ’Akilisi

Pohiva, and lawyer, Laki Niu.

Mr Pohiva’s publication caused a national sensation last year with allegations of huge overpayments to members of Parliament, including Ministers. Mr Niu, one of the new breed of universityeducated young Tongans, was counsel for a man who launched a stillunresolved civil action against members over the allegations. The plaintiff, ’lpeni Siale, of Vava’u, was also elected to Parliament. Earlier, the election of nine representatives of the kingdom’s nobles had resulted in three changes from the previous Parliament

The assembly will be completed by a ten-man Cabinet appointed by King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, led by his brother, the Prime Minister, Prince Fatafehi Tu’ipelehake.