There was widespread community support for the way the Democratic Party had held the government accountable to the people, Tonga’s Minister of Finance, Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke said yesterday.
Speaking during his election campaign for Thursday’s general election, Dr Eke said voters hugely commended the party’s efforts.
He was responding to a question from Kaniva News about whether he was running as an independent candidate or a member of the Democratic Party known as Otu Motu Anga’ofa Democratic Party.
Dr Eke said he was still an independent candidate but he agreed with the Party nominating him as its candidate list for Tongatapu 5.
“I am still independent and have not signed their Memorandum of Understanding, but have no problem with putting up my photo with them or anyone else doing so,” the Finance Minister said.
“I believe in what the Democratic Party has promoted over the years, the fight against corruption and the need to have an honest government that uses public funds to serve the interest of the public and stop using government office for personal interests.”
During the political campaign for this election some critics have insisted the government should remain under the rule of the monarch and nobility, but Dr Eke said the democratic form of government the Party was pushing had been the will and decision of His Late Majesty King George V.
Tongans should make the most of an opportunity to make the country better.
“Those people who question the Democratic Party do not realise or do not remember that this political reform has been sanctioned by His late Majesty,” Dr Eke said.
He said those who do not think all members of Parliament should be all elected by the people are those who “intend to use the government to serve their personal interests at the expense of the public good at large.”
“I fully support those groups who stand to create a political environment conducive for functioning of a clean, upright and progressive government.
“We do all this to protect Tonga from moral decay and abuse of powers.
“That is why we see that most campaigns stress the fundamental value of integrity with competence and experience.
“We do not know someone’s real character until he has authority. That is the real test of character.”
Dr Eke said the Democratic Party had acted as a safeguard to ensure the government functioned properly and effectively.
One example was the stopping of excessive allowances being paid to parliamentarians, which had saved a lot of public money.
The public needed the party to continue playing that role.
The main points
- Tonga needed the Democrats to continue holding the government accountable on behalf of the people, the kingdom’s Finance Minister, Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, said this week.
- Speaking to Kaniva News, Dr Eke said there had been widespread community support for the party’s activities.
- “I believe in what the Democratic Party has promoted over the years, the fight against corruption and the need to have an honest government that uses public funds to serve the interest of the public and stop using government office for personal interests,” he said.
- Dr Eke said he was still an independent candidate but said he had no problems with being listed by the Democratic party as its candidate for Tongatapu 5.
