7 Sep 2005

Tongan businesses join chorus for political change

6:56 pm on 7 September 2005

The newly formed Tongan National Business Association says it is calling for a change in the political structure of the kingdom because the current system doesn't help the economy.

The Association was one of the key players in yesterday's march to the palace which called for democratic reform.

The body was created out of frustration from a lack of action from the Chamber of Commerce.

Association vice chair, Peseti Ma'afu, says the government has always promised it would help the private sector but the words have not been followed by actions.

"We want fairness, we want justice and we want the government to listen to us because basically we are on the ground level. They've have been looking after the top level instead of the ground level and if we collapse the whole thing will collapse so the economy will be down so that's why we want them to help us out."