Cover Story
Ready For Takeoff?
Tonga Under King Siaosi V Is Poised For Change
More than ever, Tonga is a nation in transition following the death of King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV in September and the ascension of King Siaosi (George) Tupou V to the throne.
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| HM Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho walks to present a wreath at the grave of her husband the deceased King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV at Mala'e Kula—the Royal tombs. [All photos are by Jocelyn Carlin] |
The report also recommends that the King then appoint a prime minister from the elected members. And Halapua told Parliament members that Tongans consulted during the committee’s research phase and meetings had expressed concern about social issues, such as Chinese migration into Tonga.
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| King Siaosi Tupou V has assumed the Tongan throne that was held by his father for 41 years. [Photo: AP WideWorld Photos] |
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Since his ascension, King Siaosi has been quick to prove he is not as out of touch with his own people as many suspected he might be. He is already making royal tours of duty to outlying islands to meet Tongans at Sunday church services.
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| Tongan Defence Services form the 24/7 guard around the Palace, changing in six hourly intervals. |
“There will be royal support for reform of the civil service, improvements to
infrastructure, and prosperity driven by private enterprise.”
But the statement is explicit on King Siaosi’s take on Constitutional change. “In his view the Constitution does not have to be fundamentally changed for representative democratic government to be introduced speedily.”
King Siaosi quickly declared he will give up his many business interests on taking the throne, although the question of monetary return to him as a result of these divestments is still unclear.
The departure from tradition by declaring a shorter mourning period of just 30 days for commoners (which ended October) was hailed by the local business community.
“We are quietly confident with the new king,” Tonga’s Chamber of Commerce president, Tapu Panuve, told Pacific Magazine. “It’s a good sign that he will relinquish his business interests and we now have a government that is also willing to work with the private sector.”
Panuve said businesses had been stifled in the past by government parameters. He says the local economy benefited immensely in the week of the funeral. “On the accommodation side, it was unprecedented. The funeral has afforded us to sit back and take stock of where we (Chamber of Commerce) are at and plan ahead.”
Deep political differences were ostensibly put aside during the days leading up to the state funeral in Nuku’alofa and during the period of mourning. Respect for the royal family still remains strong despite the political reform movement and social change occurring around them. Tongans are proud of their unique place in the world, untouched by colonialism unlike their Pacific neighbors.
The security provided by their 131-year-old constitution, second only in longevity to the United States, and the solidarity provided by the three pillars of society — the royal family, nobility and commoners — is a source of pride for most Tongans.
If the will of King Siaosi is the essential determinant in Tonga’s future, the performance of Prime Minister Dr. Feleti Sevele is another crucial factor. Sevele has won a lot of support since succeeding Prince ‘Ulukalala, who resigned abruptly earlier this year. As a qualified economist and a former people’s representative, his skills in dealing with, and understanding the concerns of Tongans at all levels of society have given him an advantage over his predecessors.
He has shown loyalty to the Royal family, reminding his people of their important role in society and the upholding of cultural traditions. But equally strong is his desire to see the political reform process take its course. Reviving the economy is also high on his agenda.
Speaking to the foreign media in a meet and greet session held at his private residence in Nuku’alofa on the eve of the funeral, Sevele said the political reform process would be gradual and was not prepared to speculate on the outcome until parliament had seen the political reform committee report in early October.
“The process has started so it is premature to judge at this stage what direction political reform is heading,” Sevele explained.
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| “All monarchies have a common characteristic...and that is stubborness.” — ‘Akilisi Pohiva |
While admitting it is too early to comment on the new King, Pohiva says it is unlikely there will be any change to the status quo soon. “The monarchy is a monarchy. All monarchies of the past and present have a common characteristic and that is stubbornness,” he told Pacific Magazine.
Pohiva and his colleagues want the Royal Family to follow the lead of the British to a more ceremonial role. They are also pushing for a nation-wide referendum should the reform committee report not address their objectives.
“The government has to put up a referendum as a member of the Commonwealth and also the United Nations,” Pohiva added, quoting the Declaration for Human Rights, Article 21 which says the will of the people determines government.
Pohiva says Prime Minister Dr. Sevele is no different to past ministers who badly advised the late King in fear of their jobs. “They did not have the freedom to exercise their expertise and experience as they were accountable to the King who appointed them,” he says.
Pohiva is a true survivor of the pro-democracy movement. His former colleagues Sevele and Lopeti Senituli have moved into government positions, the latter as personal advisor to the prime minister. When approached for an interview on his role by this magazine, Senituli refused to comment saying it would be “foolish” to say anything contrary to the views already expressed by Dr. Sevele.
Taimi o’ Tonga newspaper editor Fakaosi Maama claims the movement is losing support and needs to widen its vision to encompass social issues because of the recent changes. “The movement needs to re-evaluate their goals.” He believes the loss of Senituli and his experience was particularly significant.
Furthermore, Maama claims Pohiva’s role in “politicizing” last year’s teachers’ strike and his continued attacks on the Royal Family have done him more harm than good. “Akilisi (Pohiva) has done his job. To carry on, the movement needs someone fresh with modern ideas,” Maama believes.
So to the future. Sevele says the country’s economy is on the “verge of takeoff,” citing tourism and fisheries as key sectors for growth in the coming years. The recent appointment of Tonga’s first ever Minister for Tourism and an upward trend of visitors to the outer islands has added credence to Sevele’s vision.
National pride is also seen by Sevele as key to change. “We have our shortcomings, we have our faults, we are having our difficulties, but we have no doubt our Tongan spirit, our traditional drive will once again turn this country around,” he says.
