King Tupou VI orders urgent investigations into government Featured
King Tupou VI of Tonga
26 March, 2019. King Tupou VI has referred three petitions criticising the government to the ombudsman, the attorney general and the police commissioner.
The King has called for the Anti Corruption Commission to be adequately funded.
The ombudsman has been also directed to consider the claims of maladministration made in the petitions and to take appropriate action in response.
The attorney general and the police commissioner are to bring any prosecutions if they consider there has been any breach of criminal or civil law.
The King's decision in Council was based on the advise of the judicial committee of the Privy Council, and a legal opinion from the acting attorney general.
The decison stated as follows;
In accordance with a Decision by His Majesty in Privy Council dated Thursday 21 March 2019, the Lord Privy Seal is to inform the Media and the Public of the following:
[1] Having regard to three (3) Petitions1 concerning His Majesty’s Government, His Majesty in Privy Council decided as follows:
[a] TO Refer the Petitions to the Ombudsman so that, as a matter of urgency he may consider the same, conduct such investigations and take such action as he considers appropriate, and make a determination on any instance of mal-administration which he finds to have been established to his satisfaction: and to report back to His Majesty;
[b] TO Direct His Majesty’s Government, as a matter of urgency, to provide adequate funding for the Anti Corruption Commission effective 1 July 2019, including remuneration for the Commissioner at a Judicial Level salary to be approved by His Majesty; and,
[c] TO Refer the Petitions to the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Commissioner of Police for Investigation and thereafter for:
[i] Prosecution of any breaches of the Criminal Law, where a prima facie case is established;
[ii] Civil Litigation as considered appropriate to uphold the integrity of the Constitution and the Laws of the Kingdom of Tonga; and to Advise His Majesty, from time to time, on progress therewith.
[2] His Majesty in Privy Council did consider the Interim Advice of the Judicial Committee of Privy Council2 and the Legal Opinion of the Acting Attorney General.
[3] Advice by the Committee on Tongan Traditions3 to the Judicial Committee of Privy Council as to the Petitions with regard to any pertinent issues bearing upon Tongan traditions and Tongan culture will be considered further by His Majesty in Privy Council when it has been received.
The petitons were submitted to the Palace Offcie on 18 February by members of Komiti Fakafonua ki hono Fakafepaki'i Faihala a national committee which has been establshed to fight against corruptions.
