We should have been noticed four popular foundations for Pro-democracy movements are; (1) change from simply “Monarchy” to the rights of Tongans in appointing leaders for the Government of Tonga (2) media release of opportunity costs for government projects of which are either funded from Public Funds/ donor agencies; (3) announcement of in-complete proposals to gain Public supports (4) public claim in occurrence of serious frauds and/or corruption within the government.
About 90% of Tongans are interested in expressing their individual opinions and/or seeking justice for the Government of Tonga as ‘responses’ to media news. This could be a ‘relay of ideas’ promoting by people they trust. From there, I would like to draw upon our attention to something called “non-government organizations” specifically in the context of Pro-democracy Movements ; stressing out the very need for changes in political formation in the Government of Tonga.
A few cornerstones in the livelihood of democracy are vested in Public legal rights to select National leaders (as depicted candidates for Prime Ministers and Ministers). National Leaders are supposed to be serving Tonga’s best interest for the majority. Responsibilities of National Leaders should capture Public Justice in terms of morals and legal matters regardless of any legal actions to be taken, generating government revenue for balance Annual Estimates advocating democratic programs, the enforcement of legal rights without any means for prejudice, measures for recovering an act of misappropriation of funds and/or measures ensuring repayments of debts to society.
One of Tonga’s vital political reform agenda for Government Executives is moving towards a Democratic Government Political Structure. Can we be honest about the reality of accountability, transparency, justice practice of non-government organizations and/or Tongans eligibility for Members of Parliament (MPs) through national legal votes? Do you believe that Tongans who will be registered as candidates for MPs would promote better governance, management, and leaderships? Would Tonga be better off if the Public appointed 21 MPs as candidates for Prime Minister and Ministers for the election in 2008 or in future election?
This is a contribution for Public Awareness striving to highlight few histories of democracy being practice at non-government organizations, and also, in stressing of several points to be discussed at National level. The actual names of organizations officials and for people will be suppressed due to impartiality of information being disclosed below. I will try to promote fairness on those involved, family members, and relatives. Perhaps, the Public would be better off with the ideas abstracted rather than getting into personal details and irrelevant details for diversion are thus eliminated. These ideas being expressed are for your ‘considerations’ as outlined below.
NATION POLITICAL COMMITTEES
Track records of Pro-democracy movements were leading by Peoples’ Representatives demonstrated lack of leadership, incompetence in legal discussions, and unprofessional communication skills. Pro-democracy gambles their campaign with loopholes in law, the high level of financial costs for civil court cases, and taking their chances with jurors.
The climax of Pro-democracy activities was the 16th November incidents of which the level of involvement is not yet to be proved in Court. We could speculate that Pro-democracy initiating waves of crimes, however, rioters are legally responsible for their deeds. The danger is/are the ideology of achieving goal(s) at any costs and/or denial of any legal/moral mastermind of crimes.
JURORS ASSISTANCE IN COURT
Juror is a part of our Justice system that was questioned and was deemed inappropriate. There was a bill that has been approved in the Legislative Assembly to eliminate the constitutional rights of Tongans to serve justice for fellow citizens. The King’s successor did not endorse the bill so the Juror’s clause remained intact to date.
There were also certain matters for the Public to be noticed are the ‘Tongan norms’ in serving justice for Public Figures, the advantage held by the King (or His Successor) having to have the last say in any bill (of which was approved in the Legislative Assembly) without any Public consultation and /or petition. This includes Tongans’ attitudes in their laws enforcement, of which the law officers and the public are all victims of breaking the law, such as, ignorant of the implementation of the Tobacco Acts and International Copy Rights Act.
LOBBING FOR NOBLES’ VOTES
I personally believed that it is a naive assumption to expect Nobles’ Representatives (N.Reps) continually support of His Majesty’s Cabinets proposals to Legislative Assembly regarding political matters in relation to the rights of the people. The commoners, whom believe in Pro-democracy movement, should be submitting ‘petition’ to N.Reps with the assistance of their respective Peoples’ Representatives to object specific bill(s) in the best interest of majority.
NATIONAL SPORTS COMMITTEES
One noticeable successful national sport team is the ‘Tonga Surfing Club’, for whom the Tongans do not involve in managing the club. Tonga Surfing Club could be a pilot national organization for democracy with real output for all stakeholders.
Some of the Ministers and Civil Servants did hold several posts in the Board of Directors and vital posts for national sport teams. Teams were having great achievements, despite the inconsistencies in performance over the years. Public debates raise concerns about conflicts of interest and claims were made against frauds, of which the government officials were no longer entitled for any official posts in any National Sports Offices.
The changes visible here were pursuing honesty, righteousness, better leaders, and reasonable management team for National Sports. The idea was highlighted by the changes in the Tongans National Rugby Union Board and National Rugby Union Committees. There were several questions being posted by many of our locals during this rugby season as depicted; have you ever heard or seen any promising performance by the ‘Ikale Tahi over the last decade international test matches or for any international competitions? The answers are of yours to give about performance and contract opportunities for Tongan players gained through ‘Ikale Tahi or National Committees. There are speculations that players are merely awarded overseas rugby contract through Divisional Rugby Clubs efforts.
The heart of the problem is the change was supposed to induce betterment of team competitiveness, opportunities for players, and improve accountability from management of financial affairs. There was a rumor that the Accountant for one of the National Sports Committees has misappropriated about TOP$100,000+, of which were accumulated over the past 5 years or so, and the penalty imposed was a resignation letter. If 99 accountants would be doing the same, Tonga will request Australia, New Zealand and United Nation for Technical support in accounting services!
NON-GOVERNMENT NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES
There are numerous evidences of the Tongan Public scam for genuine community development activities and/or specific projects, of which the funds were being raised as means of financing the development of community projects. These scams were intact in great depth with the hearts of Tongans in sharing and caring for others.
The failure to fulfill accountability and transparency could be illustrated by an estimated $200,000 Pa’anga collect from communities. The cash collected were not sufficient in the bank to honor all checks issued by the Development Committee. Funds were raised from registration fees by participants, which accumulated to about $20,000 Pa’anga and the balance, were raised through community social functions in the United States of America.
The majority of the Tongans Public could be easily persuaded through morals and distortion of information by commoners, who are stepping up for leadership role in community activities. Tongans should be aware of how few numbers of people could gain their trust, of whom they pretend to be acting on their best interests based on the theme of the movements. The theme and activities related are convincing as solutions for poverty. The hidden agenda is Coordinator/s is/are just aiding them for an easy way of earning substantial amount of money in a short period of time.
Tongans are born with generous hearts and do not question accountability of the Coordinator. These personal qualities of Tongans are valuable, while abusers of our quality way of life may diminish quality personality. In the absence of any attempt by means of better methods or improvement in communication to revive goodness in Tongans’ way of life, Tongans abroad would present directly financial assistance for specific project with close monitoring measures.
PARENTS AND TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONS (PTA) AND EX-STUDENTS ASSOCIATIONS
There are lack in court cases to justify serious frauds and misappropriation of funds despites the elite academics and respectable personnel being the Executives of the Associations.
I have been heard of the misappropriation of funds that was ranges from thousand(s), hundred of thousands, and even millions of pa’anga in varies associations over the past 10 years. Most of the Association’s penalties are the removal of people involved in their Executive(s) position(s) and remains a member of the Association only.
CHURCHES AND CONGREGATIONS
Despite variations in doctrines and emphasis of Christian faiths among churches and congregations, the idea of ‘democracy’ is being practiced in the Annual Conference/Quarterly/Monthly Meetings, and General Meetings of committees. I am speculating that this is the closest organization for a Democratic reality for Tonga. Perhaps, if we understand the concept of democratic principles in full for churches as ‘pilot test’ for Public Administration and Public Finance, we should also be approaching democracy with incremental changes. Incremental changes may be deem suitable for a less painful transition through varies phases of Democracy for Tonga.
There are few cases of which the church members seek Court Ruling as to legalize the church operations, interpretation of authority given under church constitutions, serving justice on matters related to breaking the law. There are benefits yielded as however, ballots members for Annual Conference will have the final say subject to Court ruling. Ultimately, there are a lot of internal cases dealt with appropriate authority, of which these matters are internally remedies.
CONCLUSION
Tongans are of immensely needed to make appropriate changes in their practice for democracy in such non-government organizations. As, for the Government Executives dealt with incremental changes for a Democratic Tonga there are numerous cases rest at the mercy of Christian faith, of which the government officials discipline are served. These disciplines are similar to the penalty imposed at non-government organization. Yet, do you know that Government of Tonga had stepped up to the challenge in moving towards democracy with Civil Servants conditions of services?
Na’e fakahoko ha kē ‘a e ongo tangata’eiki ‘i Tonga. ‘E ui pee ‘a e ongo tangata’eikí ko Mo’oni pea mo Angatonu. Na’e anga peheni ‘a ‘ena felau’akií.
Mo’oni : Ko au pe ko e to’a he neongo ‘oku mafahifahi hoku
mataa ka ‘oku te’eki ai ke u kelekelea ha’aku fuhu.
Angatonu : ‘Oku mafahifahi ho mataá ko ho’o mata’i valee.
‘Oku molemole hoku matá ko ‘eku mata potó pea
‘e mahino ia ‘oku te’eki ke u kelekelea ha’aku fuhu.
Mo’oni : ‘Oku molemole ho fofongá ko e te’eki ai ke ke fuhu mo
ha tahá.
Kaainga Tonga to e vakavakai’i lelei pee ‘a ‘etau vakili ki he ngaahi tonounou ‘a e Pule’anga Tongá ‘o ’uhinga ko e ‘ikai ngaue’aki ‘a e ngaahi founga fakatemokalatí. Na’a ‘oku nifi ‘a e Pule’angá ka e nafa ‘eni ia ‘oku tau pule mo fakalele Fakatemokalatí ‘o hangē ko e ‘ikai mahino pe ko hai ‘ia Mo’oni mo Angatonu ko e mo’unga’i tangatá.
Written by : Kisione Taufa
Time : 12 : 00 pm (Tonga Time)
Date : 29 Sanuali, 2007
Place : Tonga.
