3 Feb 2017

Tongan PM not worried about no-confidence motion

3:02 pm on 3 February 2017

Tonga's Prime Minister says he believes he has the numbers to easily defeat a proposed motion of no-confidence.

Tonga Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva.

Tonga Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva. Photo: RNZ

The motion was submitted this week and signed by seven Noble Representatives and three People's MPs including former Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu and sacked Internal Affairs Minister Fe'ao Vakata.

'Akilisi Pohiva said he continued to have the majority support of the 26-member parliament.

The motion is currently before the Parliamentary Privileges Standing Committee before a date for the motion is announced.

Mr Pohiva said he wanted to know on what basis the motion had been submitted.

"The most interesting element of the motion is to see, to know the grounds for the motion. What are the allegations provided in the motion? These are the things we are waiting for."