Transcript
MALAKAI KOLOAMATANGI: It's basically the same cabinet, not including the two independent MPs Sovaleni and Lavemaau who were sacked in the previous government. It's essentially the same cabinet so one would think that some improvement has to be made in terms of getting the work done that was supposed to be done in the last term. One would also have to think that some of the issues that led to the dissolution of parliament, some of those issues have to be also resolved.
KORO VAKA'UTA: He kind of solidified his position in government and the Democratic Party winning those 14 seats, were you surprised then that he went outside of those 14 seats to bring in Dr Uata?
MK: It is surprising for two reasons. One, he does not think that his members of his party in parliament are not capable of performing in that portfolio and secondly the other thing that was surprising is that the prime minister was very much against bringing in unelected members into his cabinet, as was the case for example in the government immediately before his last government.
KV: And another portfolio I found interesting was the incumbent Semisi Fakahau being the minister for agriculture but we had there for example Losaline Ma'asi who was very experienced in that sector and not getting a look in.
MK: Again, it was surprising. One of the reasons of course you have already pointed out. She is very much a career politician if you like, a public sector person, and she has a lot of experience in management and leadership in agriculture. So it was surprising that she didn't get a look in. It was also surprising because one would have thought that for her loyalty to the prime minister and running for the democracy ticket, she should have been rewarded.
KV: And then of course we must look at Deputy Prime Minister, that was always going to be someone new with what happened to Siaosi Sovaleni. The choice of Semisi Sika, was that expected? I mean, we have had Dr Tu'ionetoa polling the highest amongst all and Dr Piukala being there and Fa'otusia being very vocal.
MK: Honestly I didn't think that he would get the deputy prime ministership. I thought, as you say, maybe Tu'ionetoa, certainly being the minister of finance and a good standing in cabinet but Semisi Sika has been a very close ally and supporter of the prime minister. Perhaps he is being rewarded. Judging from the last government, the deputy prime ministership is very, very important in the structure, not only of course as assistant to the prime minister but also if the prime minister continues to be ill course the deputy prime minister will have to stand up to the mark. I'm not sure that Semisi Sika has that experience. I know Siaosi Sovaleni, the previous deputy prime minister, was also new but Sovaleni was also a public servant for a long time and I don't know if Semisi Sika has that experience.
KV: Finally, what do you make of the belated announcement and maybe what was happening in the background there with the foreign affairs portfolio and the defence portfolio?
MK: That's interesting. The foreign affairs portfolio of course is vitally important in the case of any Pacific island, particularly with relationships with other countries. Trade, aid, development and so on and so forth and that's crucially important, not only for the region but of course Tonga's standing internationally. There was some concern that the prime minister perhaps was not up to speed in that regard but of course it's ended up with the prime minister. The defence portfolio was also quite sensitive. The King being the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, I'm guessing that His Majesty wanted to be absolutely certain that whoever looked after the defence portfolio could be relied on. The portfolio going to Lord Ma'afu I think is probably a way of the King saying that in defence matters, he would rather rely on and depend on Lord Ma'afu.
