Critical Eyes of Kele

It appears the Prime Minister Feleti Sevele has domineering powers over Cabinet and the government of Tonga because he seems to get whatever he wants and understandably he is trying to please the King. Therefore the rest of the Ministers in Cabinet are either the crew or passengers of a ship who are on board only to drop-off or pull-up the anchor when commanded by the Master or chief Officer.

The Ministers were appointed to their respective portfolios in accordance to their professional knowledge and/or vast experience in both social and economic development. These are well educated people and highly qualified to warrant active participation in all deliberations pertaining to social and economic issues that would ultimately affect the life of the Tongan population.

The domineering power of the Prime Minister has been proved, indicating his true colour has lain dormant until he assumes the highest power and authority in government. He was arrogant enough to overwrite the budget statement of the Minister of Finance by introducing a new one written by his adviser Rob Solomon to suit his political agenda. His action is a blatant demonstration of authority to disdain the Minister of Finance as lacking economic acumen. He threatens to suspend or dismiss civil servants who are members of the Public Service Association (PSA) and are politically motivated or affiliated to any political parties. He is continually adamant and refuses to discuss any reconciliation with the Peoples’ Representatives because he wants them to confess they were responsible to the crisis of 16/11. This is utterly a sign of immaturity as he should know better than that. Every one is equal under the law. The Peoples’ Representatives are innocent until they are proven guilty in the court of law on charges of sedition. While the trial is yet to be heard the Prime Minister has already condemn the Peoples’ Representatives hence his demand for confession before any reconciliation is done. There are numerous examples of the Prime Minister trying to run government in accordance to what he wants.

The worst case scenario Tonga has ever experienced under the Sevele administration is his decision to gag the mainstream media, radio and TV Tonga from broadcasting parliamentary proceedings and any other political information. This is a flagrant violation of the peoples’ constitutional rights for freedom of expression and press freedom. What is broadcast by radio and TV Tonga including the Tongan Chronicle are only selected stories the Prime Minister wants the people to know. Gagging the media is a means of turning a leader or head of government to become a dictator. Tonga is now a country that is parallel to Zimbabwe and Cuba. Feleti Sevele can be listed in a group of dictators along side Mugabe, Gastro and Ghatafi. It also indicates that Feleti Sevele is a good follower but a lousy leader.

Critical Eyes believes it is high time the Ministers should speak up to restrain and hold back the Prime Minister from choosing or decide for oneself which is a form of bigotry. They should be held responsible for all the mess in Tonga today because they failed in their duty to advise and warn the leader. The truth will set you free even if you lose your job. Your integrity would still be intact along side your self-esteem and dignity for doing the right thing.

Inspite of the weaknesses describe above it is heartening to know the Prime Minister has agreed that government would grow squash pumpkin for export to overseas market this year. The people should all congratulate Feleti Sevele for the eventual introduction of the project he knows best how to implement. This is his area of expertise as well as the Hon. Tuˇipelehake (Mailefihi) who were pioneers in the squash pumpkin industry. All you have to do is to ask the growers whose pumpkins were sold to Squash Export and MBF in order to make a rough estimation of revenue the government would receive from the Squash Industry.

This is one way of boosting government revenue in addition to duty and taxes levied on the people. Who knows squash pumpkins sales would payoff the $118 million loan from China as well as $7 million that was loaned to Squash Council in an agreement to deduct 10¢ from every kilo of squash pumpkin being exported to overseas market. It is ethically wrong for new Squash Pumpkin growers to payoff the debts of growers before them.

from the Kele'a