A newspaper publisher once jailed for contempt of Parliament in Tonga has released a compelling new book detailing corruption and media victimisation in the small monarchy.

Kalafi Moala, author of 'Island Kingdom Strikes Back: The Story of An Independent Island Newspaper - Taimi o Tonga' tells of his experiences running the Taimi o Tonga newspaper in Tonga and the political persecution he and his staff suffered by their monarchy backed government.

Moala was jailed in 1996 with his deputy editor, Filokalafi Akauola, for allegedly publishing libelous material against Parliament. Pro-democracy MP, Akilisi Pohiva, was also jailed for allegedly leaking the libelous information to the newspaper. The trio were tried by Tonga's legislative assembly but only served 26 of their 30 days in jail after a New Zealand judged declared their jailing was unconstitutional and unlawful.

Moala says he cried tears of joy for being freed, and tears of anger at the unjust treatment they had suffered.

"True press freedom in Tonga is not so much a legal issue (for it is guaranteed in our constitution," says Moala in his book, "but rather an issue striking at the very roots of the Kingdom's social structure and cultural demands, including commercial."

Launched last month in Auckland, Island Kingdom Strikes Back has been described by Tongan Professor, Futa Helu, as a "Who's Who in Tonga's society and politics" in the last fifteen years.

"(It) chronicles in clear, brisk prose the vicissitudes this newspaper and Tongan society went through in that period," says Professor Helu, "the foolish and baseless censorship, the ignorant and heartrending destruction of liberty, the amazing corruption, the abuse of power, the mendacity and profanation of authority. One has to read this publication to believe that all this is standard fare, the reality in this South Pacific island country."

"The monarchical system of government it endorses is, tragically unfit to facilitate the social, political and economic changes and development that inevitably must take place if Tonga is to survive and function with

purpose in the 21st century…. If they don't (reform the constitution), the people will rise up and take in their own hands the destiny of the island kingdom."

He also says the monarchy's refusal to tolerate criticism has hindered the country's progress for years. His book cites many royal blunders which have cost the country millions of dollars including an illegal passport scheme, a failed hotel and casino deal, and the apparent loss of US$20 million invested by the Tonga Trust Fund in a high risk insurance scheme.

"One man needs to take responsibility for Tonga's present day state," says Moala. "That man is King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV…The King and his appointees, as well as his Royal House, should account for the island Kingdom's blunders over the last several decades. Enough blaming of external forces and using cover-ups. Tongan authorities have been more preoccupied with defending the many scandals and foolish pursuits of empty Royal dreams."

In 1997, Moala's open criticism of Tonga's monarchy and government resulted in his being banned from entering the country by his old nemesis, Tonga's Minister of Police, Clive Edwards. In his book, Moala says the personal and political victimisation he suffered from Edwards extended even to his family.

"I was sad to be banned from Tonga," says Moala. "I was forbidden to return to the land of my birth, the land of my parents and forefathers, without written permission. My parents were still living there, and yet I could not go and see them without getting Edwards' permission."

Today the exiled Moala runs the Taimi o Tonga newspaper from his offices in Auckland, New Zealand. News from the island is faxed or emailed from the Taimi staff in Tonga to the head office in Auckland where printing costs are cheaper. The weekly paper is then freighted back to Tonga and is also sold in Australia, Hawaii and the US. Moala's Lali Communications group also publishes several other ethnic newspapers including the Cook Islands Star, Samoan International and Indian Tribune.

Last year Moala was also elected chairman of the New Zealand based Pacific Island Media Association (PIMA), and organisation set up to encourage and support Pacific Island media people in New Zealand. Moala says he's content with life in New Zealand but one day hopes to return to Tonga.

"Do I believe Tonga is a special place and its people special?" asks Moala, " You bet I do. We are no better than others, but we do have our ability to make a unique contribution for ourselves and to the world of nations. Tongans are a people endowed with unique gifts and aims. For our children to develop these talents, we must not only reform our governmental structure, but also our culture, our families and our very lives so we can be relevant in this 21st Century. God help us!"

For more information about the book, contact the Taimi o Tonga office on (09) 579 0358 or email: kalafi.moala@xtra.co.nz
 

Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd. 2004