2 Dec 2005

Tongan pro-deomcracy campaigner refuses to submit requested resignation

12:04 pm on 2 December 2005

The Tongan pro-democracy MP, Akilisi Pohiva, is refusing to resign from parliament's select committee on political reform.

And he says reports in some Tongan media he is refusing to support the work of the committee is incorrect.

Mr Pohiva says he has received a letter from the committee chair, Prince Tu'ipelehake, that, based on what the Tau'ataina newspaper has reported, he requires Mr Pohiva's resignation.

But Mr Pohiva says he is angry the representatives to the committee from both the Nobles and the government have been absent from every meeting of the committee so far.

"I haven't confirmed my stand, my position regarding my membership in the committee simply because of the fact that the representatives from the nobles and representatives from the government refused to take part in the first four meetings of the committee."

The Tongan pro-democracy MP, Akilisi Pohiva.