25th March, 2019 TONGAN 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.
1 As received on 18, 20 and 21 February 2019 from the Komiti Fakafonua ki hono Fakafepaki’i ‘o e Faihala, a number of the Nobles of the Realm, a number of Former Members of the Legislative Assembly and Former Ministers of the Crown, and a number of Pentecostal denominations.
[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.
MEDIA RELEASE ENDS
Office of the Lord Privy Seal
Palace Office
Nuku’alofa
E-mail : lpseal4@gmail.com
2 The Rt. Hon. Lord Dalgety Q.C. (Chairman), The Rt. Hon. Lord Tupou K.C., Mrs. Linda Simiki Folaumoetu’i, Hon. Michael Dishington Scott K.C., Mr. Tu’inukutavake Barron Afeaki and Ms. Mele V Folau (Principal Clerk). 3 The Rev. Dr. ‘Ahio (Chairman), Lord Vaea, Dowager Lady Fusitu’a, Takapu, the Rev. Dr. Tevita Tonga Mohenoa Puloka and The Hon. ‘Alematea Vaha’i (Secretary).