Ex-Tonga PM’s daughter leads petition to block foreign affairs power shift to monarchy

A Tongan pro-democracy advocate is urging King Tupou VI not to grant Royal Assent for legislation that would transform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to His Majesty’s Diplomatic Services.

Teisa Pohiva, the daughter of Tonga’s former Prime Minister, the late ‘Akilisi Pohiva, argues that the proposed changes would remove control from the Cabinet, placing it instead under a board led by the King and his Privy Council.

Speaking to PMN News, Pohiva points to the Public Service Commission Act that mandates a CEO for all ministries.

“This Act specifically prescribes that there should be a board, and this board will consist of the King and members of his Privy Council, who are appointed by the King, according to the constitution of Tonga and other members that the King might want to add to the board,” Pohiva says.

“So this board will take over the governing of the Ministry, coming up with foreign policies and all those decision-making and the passport and immigration services will all be under this board.”

While a minister will still exist, Pohiva says the minister's role will be mainly administrative.

Samiuela ʻAkilisi Pōhiva was a Tongan pro-democracy activist and politician. A key leader of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, he served as the Prime Minister of Tonga from 2014 to his death in 2019. Photo/RNZ Pacific

Pohiva compares the structure to His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF), which is also under the King’s leadership.

She raises concerns about the lack of transparency with HMAF, warning that placing foreign affairs under a similar framework could hinder public and media access to vital information and make it difficult to hold decision-makers accountable.

She pointed to past incidents, like the passport scandal, where naturalisation was sold, resulting in Tonga collecting around USD$25 million (NZ$42m) from the scheme, which went unaccounted for.

Teisa Pōhiva (far right) is an admitted barrister and solicitor in Tonga. Photo/Supplied

“Of course, we still have a lot of people saying that the minister is still there and that's where the board will be accountable to Parliament through the minister.

“But in reality, that's not what's going to happen and we experienced that with His Majesty’s Armed Forces. No one knows what's going on in that ministry.

“We in the media try and get information. There's a complete lack of transparency. It's pretty hard, our social structure. It's pretty hard for the commoners to question anything to do with His Highness and the royal family and the monarchy.”

The Act is now awaiting royal approval after being hurriedly passed in Parliament without public consultation or debate.

Pohiva was made aware of the bill by someone from an overseas organisation and has gathered over 200 signatures for her petition within two days, urging the King not to grant Royal Assent.

Watch Teisa Pohiva on a Tongan political panel below.

Some signatories, due to fear, were unable to sign but expressed their support verbally.

“In terms of effectiveness, I personally do not agree with petitioning the King on methods that are not concerning him. But in this instance, regarding this bill, I strongly believe that this was the best means to get his attention and just to let him know that there are questions from the public represented by the signatories that were given in the petition - that the bill should be given back to Parliament or to Cabinet to go through the process again and at least have some consultation with the public.”