Auckland based Tongan Democrats (PTOA) have accused the chair of the Tonga Advisory Council, Melino Maka, of attempting to drag them through the mud after he lodged a complaint with New Zealand police.
The complaint was made after what appeared to have been part of a post on Facebook alleging there was a threat to kill Tonga Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa and his advisor ‘Etuate Lavulavu in New Zealand.
The post alleged the plot has been decided in a meeting.
According to a screenshot of what appeared to be the original post on which Maka based his complaint to Police, the post was made by a person who goes by the name of Moana Fameitau.
Some online users, who knew Fameitau, were quick to comment and said Fameitau was just making a joke.
The PTOA officials have denied being part of the allegation.
However, Maka took to Facebook this morning to warn the PTOA members in New Zealand after his complaint to Police.
“I have been busy this morning with calls from our community here in NZ about this threat to kill Hon Tu’ionetoa (PM Kingdom of Tonga) and Lavulavu. I have lodged a complaint to the NZ Police. To the NZ PTOA committee, like it or not you have to understand and respect democracy. So you have now deal with the police,” Maka wrote.
The Tongan Democrats have organised themselves in Auckland and regularly meet at 30 Station Road, Papatoetoe.
A PTOA spokesperson said Fameitau was not a member of the PTOA organisation in New Zealand and he never attended the group’s meeting.
New Zealand-based Tongan Sione ‘Eniketi Taufa told Kaniva news Fameitau was free to post what he thought on Facebook and it did not affect their PTOA group.
Taufa has questioned Maka’s position in the Tongan community in New Zealand and asked who he was representing.
Taufa, a long time strong supporter of the democracy movement in Tonga, said Maka was free to say what he wanted, just like Fameitau, but to say he was representing the Tongan community, was misleading.
Many people have criticised the Tonga Advisory Council, saying it was not active and it did not relate directly with members of the Tongan community.
The main points
- Auckland-based Tongan Democrats (PTOA) have accused the chair of the Tonga Advisory Council, Melino Maka, of attempting to drag them through the mud after he lodged a complaint with New Zealand police.
- The complaint was made after what appeared to have been part of a post on Facebook alleging there was a threat to kill Tonga Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa and his advisor ‘Etuate Lavulavu in New Zealand.
