Transcript
DR MALAKAI KOLOAMATANGI: There have been a number of issues in terms of what some people have perceived in parliament. For example, about the Prime Minister's leadership. There are some issues for example of management, of managing government business, the challenge to his leadership in terms of the inefficiency of government. Remember that this parliament is finely poised. It is actually split almost down the middle between the government and those outside the government. It has been talked about for a while and it seems to be, talking to opinion leaders both in Tonga and outside, that some people are unhappy with the way things have gone. The expected benefits to people who had voted for democracy have not materialised. Some people are of course on the other hand opposed to the current regime in terms of ideology. I think probably most people are in the middle. They would like to continue with the current system but maybe refine it and ensure that those who are in power actually have the ability and know-how and the leadership to take the country forward.
KORO VAKA'UTA: There has been talk around this for a while, starting when Lord Vaea, one of the Noble Representatives, visited New Zealand and talked of such a motion. Why do you think it has taken so long to be brought before the House? Has it been shoring up numbers? What do you think it has been?
MK: Maybe it has been about the numbers. Politics is about numbers ultimately. The numbers in parliament don't look like they will support a change in government unless we have people who are willing to cross the floor to the Opposition. We have to also make sure that those who are not in government, the majority of them would support a prospective government to replace this one. There is also this perception that you have a limited pool of talent in parliament. Whichever group you put in power, will not bring about radical change. Some people also feel that there are some people outside parliament who should be in parliament. We've got this thing, almost akin to 'better the devil you know'. There has been that around. But also, although Lord Vaea has been touted as the Leader of the Opposition by the Prime Minister, a lot of people feel that a leader who is able to pull both Nobles and Commoners together is needed.
KV: Who seems to be putting their hand up in that regard? I know there are factions pushing the likes of a younger Nobility. Lord Fusitu'a is someone that has been pushed as a new generation of leader if you like. Is there anyone clearly an alternative to the likes of Lord Vaea?
MK: There is Lord Fusitu'a of course, but I think he is a leader of the future. There is also the former Deputy Prime Minister Sam Vaipulu, who I know has suffered from ill health recently but if he is healthy he can be a formidable person to have as Prime Minister. There are also people actually in the current government who have been suggested as perhaps a replacement for the Prime Minister. Remember, if the vote of no confidence is successful, not only the Prime Minister but the whole of Cabinet, they lose their jobs. So, if that were to happen, one person who has been put forward as a good candidate is the current Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr 'Aisake Eke. Although he is a relative newcomer to parliament, he has I think the integrity and maturity to be Prime Minister. The other person who has been talked about too is the Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni. He is a newcomer to parliament but also he of course is a youthful Deputy Prime Minister. So, who knows? Remember the first time that this was attempted in Tonga during Lord Tu'ivakano's tenure as Prime Minister there was lots of talk like that but at the end of the day things fell on the side of conservatism if I can put it that way. There were no real surprises when the vote was defeated in parliament. Someone in government will have to cross the floor to make up the numbers to defeat the Prime Minister. Of course, what is happening in Cabinet at the moment is that the Ministers are actually quite comfortable with the way things have gone. Despite the problems and so on, they enjoy what they are doing. It is a comfortable life, it's a comfortable job. When the attention of when something goes wrong is directed at the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Minister or Cabinet Ministers, are not in the firing line. So they have a good job. They are comfortable. They get on with what they want to do.
KV: I know that Lord Ma'afu is in the government but how much power do the Nobility have in terms of rustling up support within parliament?
MK: What's in the Nobles favour is that most often they vote as a bloc. Even though Lord Ma'afu is part of the government, he comes from the Ha'a Havea clan. In fact he is the leader of the Ha'a Havea clan. The Ha'a Havea clan has the most nobles and estates in Tonga, a very, very powerful bloc. I am sure that Lord Ma'afu would not want to be seen to be against his other Noble brothers. Now whether that means that one of them has the confidence of the commoner MPs in parliament, is another matter. Although I do know that there are some conservative MPs who are not in government who will support a Noble leader. But there is something against a Noble from becoming the Prime Minister. From what I have heard, there is a feeling amongst the Nobility and also certainly from His Majesty, that it is time for the Commoners to have a go at running the country.