28 May 2004

Tongan representatives fail to turn up at legislative assembly

10:36 am on 28 May 2004

Most of Tonga's nine people's representatives failed to turn up for yesterday's opening of the legislative assembly.

The Tonga Broadcasting Corporation reports that only one of them was present to hear the King's speech in the opening ceremony.

Matangi Tonga magazine says the representatives have called for the resignation of the Prime Minister, Prince Ulukalala Lavaka Ata.

The Tongatapu people's number one representative, Akilisi Pohiva says he's yet to discuss a response to his absence from yesterday's opening session.

Mr Pohiva reportedly says he was absent to study some documents from the government concerning the results of the royal commssion of inquiry into Royal Tongan Airlines.

But he added that, that was only one of the reasons he was missing from the opening ceremony.