Breaking News - Riots in Nuku’alofa
By okaili | 10 CommentsLeave a Comment
Last updated: Wednesday, November 15, 2006

riot.jpgLook at the news story links from the Newswire.

http://planet-tonga.com/newswire2 –click on Latest News

Photos at the Gallery - http://planet-tonga.com/gallery

Forum Topics:The City We Love is in Flames!
whats up with the kIngdom…WAR soon?
National Pride. National Shame.

You may also like...
Planet Tonga Newswire
The most comprehensive news source for Tongans on the Internet. We gather the news from around the world so you don't have to. Check us
PT Forums has moved!
The PT Forums has moved to a new home. The new URL is http://forums.planet-tonga.com. Read the Rules and Agreement (login below) Please read before agreeing. Considering the real-time
Write and Win in the Forums
Check the forums ( in the General Public room) for a chance to win a free PT tshirt. . http://forums.planet-tonga.com
Comments
10 comments have been left so far »
  1. emelinefaaumuniutei
    November 16, 2006

    It is very unlike the Tonga we know. A place that we always call home and proud to be a Tongan. It is also a sad day and a great embarrassment for me and my family to see how these people celebrate their stupidity and idiotic behaviours. This is NOT the right way to express your point. This is a very clear criminal act. These people NEED to bring to justice. The so called Political Reform Leaders do not need a Political Reformed but they need JESUS. People declaring God yet practising Satanic…because Hatred is of the Devil. These people also declared WAR…as President Bush once said, “a faceless coward”. They also bring embarrassment to their families and their ancestor.

    What a day to live and witness…I thought we’re in the 21st century…but seems we’re living in the slavery time. I can say that we’re seeing the sign that “Jesus is Coming Soon”. Repent from your evil ways before it’s too late.

    Leave a reply
  2. Americ
    November 17, 2006

    To all the people of Tonga.

    I am shocked and disgusted at what I am watching happening in Tonga. As a foreigner, I admired the Tongan way, the blissful life enjoyed by Tongans, I looked up with the respect at The truest Monarchy in the world….

    What STUPIDITY has been shown by this rioting!!!….

    ALL you PRO democracy, really think “democracy” will give you more power! ” power to the peopl;e” how NAIVE ARE YOU?

    YOU HAVE NO IDEA…have a good look at the “Democratic” nations you want to copy so badly! America, Australia, what a joke…..let me tell you what it’s like for the average person to survive in our “wonderful” western democracies….

    The average person works 60 hours a week, they pay approximately 60% of their wages in tax!….because everything is taxed!! In places like Australia or America
    citizens pay some 140 different taxes, property tax, GST TAX, DEATH DUTIES, LUXURY TAX, PERTOL, ALCOHOL SIGARETTES ARE TAXED….TAXES TAXES TAXES… THAT’S THE COST OF DEMOCRACY.

    Because we the people have to cover the costS of the government….and Do you think that the average American person actually has any rights under democracy?

    Let me tell you our system. Houses cost hundreds & hundreds of thousands of dollars, and then you pay huge taxes to buy a home! everyone is in debt just to have a roof over their heads, they have to pay bills…lots of bills, electricity, water, phones, council rates, insurances,education bills. This week alone I had to pay $1,300 in bills alone! just to survive.

    Under Monarchy you Tongans have it SO EASY.You should be thanking god & begging that the Monarchy & your system stays as is forever…but No, you fools want to be like America….And those politicians are feeding you lies about “power to the people”!!!

    Hear this TONGA you won’t know what you’ve lost till After it is GONE. The Monarchy & the stabilities it brings you was the only thing going for you!

    You want to be like the big democratic nations- you people are not yet capable of paying the heavy price….and why in god’s name would you want to.

    FOOLS!

    Leave a reply
  3. unknown
    November 18, 2006

    What are these idiotic people are trying to obtain from such violence? All there doing are just creating heart breaks, poor economy, hurting themselves, and the have continue to increase their worth; the have not will continue to be poor.
    Talk about Democracy! Fools, the first and the foremost things that you fool should do. Is to understand, distinguish, and characterize Democracy, not “Want to be”

    Stop! The violence and act like human being. What have the Monarch done to you fools. I was born in Hawaii and partial raise in Tonga. Hawaiian dreamt for once they could be kingdom again. As you see they loose their land because their Monarch was not as brave as ours. Tonga does not belong to the Monarch it belongs to us “people”. Therefore, democracy has already served in our kingdom.

    Look around and ask yourself what kind of species who created such disaster. None of these species are honorable or respectful commoner descendant. They are indolent descendant. Where was your grandparent? Passing all the opportunity and wishing for a breadfruit to fall from the sky. Back in the days, only foreigner and government official were allow to travel oversees. Those people bring back development to reform their kingdom to make it better for the people of Tonga. But those Fools, get a grip of that opportunity. Guess what! all you fools are doing are “Want to be”

    To conclude please demolish those fools. Capture all their leaders and give them the capital punishment. They can’t run far, where they will be running to…..make it reality. That’s the best punish for those indolent descendant.

    Want to be, stop being a copy cat, like little kids says…copy catter….Tonga will not be USA

    Leave a reply
  4. jerries
    November 18, 2006

    It is indeed a black day for Tonga! I would however wish to comment on what Americ says. Obviously you were not in Tonga during the struggle for integrity, honesty and accountability in Government. The pro-demos understood that the composition of government was not entirely at fault, it was the system that bogged down real development in Tonga. I say it because I was there, served and loved my country.

    The never-ending calls for the ruler to account to the ruled fell into deaf ears, the response, if any, was arrogance, and the total disregard to the voices of the people, be it through the pulpit, the people’s reps. or those “in” crowd associated with the powerfuls, no way, they believed Tongans would never rise up against the top elite because as it has been referred to rightly, so un-Tongan. Many a time the people petitioned the King re: selling of passports, the dictatorial “take-over” of Shoreline, the very few that were made so rich with Tonga’s resources, the free-flow of Chinese who pushed out the small retail storeowners because they had the business know-how, the money and their obvious disregard to the traditions, culture and values of Tongans. Yes, while Tongans were making loans to meet the traditional expectations accorded the royal family by their villages, merely to hold the family honour as a proud Tongan always is and ofcourse most importantly not wanting to be societal “outcasts”; the Chinese spent night and day figuring out (and dishonestly in many cases in their bid to fool Customs, their customers and landowners)the cheapest way out.

    On many occasions the elite and powerfuls were warned through conversations, discussions and even petitions that there will come a time when the pro-democracy advocates would no longer be able to control the moods of the people. Did they see the writings on the wall? No way, they held on to the powers as it was their “lollipop” and every pro-demo that shifted to their side, was abundantly awarded - a Cabinet member and opportunities and prestige. The civil servants, a body which constituted the majority of the “academic elite” went on strike because they were not given one iota of “information” in regards to their work status. It was typical and had been around for more than I could remember. Did Govt. listen? They listened and “laughed” about it all. The police hierarchy knew that there were hard criminals in Tonga, mostly deported from overseas - especially US, NZ and Australia. They taught the locals how to “armed rob” a gas station, how to professionally break into private homes and take their goodies and Tongans lived a life the last 10 years fearing and expecting the worst each day. I don’t know if any home in Tonga has been free from such criminal acts. Yet Govt did not listen to the warnings that they must pacify the crowd moods - there were too many marchings, too many ill feelings, too much anger, yet they ignored the writings on the wall!

    For Americ who says that Tonga would become bogged down with the US as a democracy has been put through. I do not agree with you, what the people wanted was the right to choose their own leaders. From the Tu’ipelehake Report, not one Tongan wanted to push out the monarchy, every Tongan is proud that Tonga is the only remaining kingdom in the South Pacific and no one will ever want to see that go - provided that the royal family love their people in return and take heed of their grumblings.

    What the people wants is to be able to elect their own political leaders so they become accountable to them. If they sway from what the majority wants, they could easily be voted out the next election. For many years the civil service took the brunt of the appointed leaders’ arrogance and responses to peaceful demonstrations and petitions, “Work is being undertaken to address the problems.” and kabut, nothing is ever done. In many petitions, it is totally ignored, no replies, no explanations - NOTHING.

    What is happening to Tonga is indeed both sad and disgusting and has put Tonga backwards a decade but this is the consequence of years of frustrations, years of being “squeezed” to the corner, years of total disregard to the will of the people.

    I hope out of the ashes, Tonga will rise with a cleaner bill of “health” - that leaders must address the will of the people, they must respond to concerns, they must listen and come out and talk to the people. Respond to their petitions, come out from your high pedestal and converse with the people, talk to them and keep your promises. Then you will see the great difference, yes, you can be re-elected!..now that a change is on the way. In regards to the high taxes, etc. etc. Americ, may I remind you that Tonga cannot expand in area to be another US, Tonga will remain a tiny tot in the ocean, far from the prosperity of America, we have no resources but its people and its people are only its asset, they must be encouraged to work hard, pacified and to top it all be truly Christians. A happy Tongan is a happy and prosperous worker!

    Once the leaders listen to its people, have the highest of integrity, accountability and stripped of selfishness and haughtiness, Tonga will become the country that had the mighty covenance with the Almighty.

    Be comforted, the Almighty is still on board! Long Live King Tupou V and the people of Tonga!

    Leave a reply
  5. love4tking
    November 18, 2006

    To ALL MY BROTHERS & SISTERS WHO BURN MY SWEET HOME.

    We are proud people full of life,courage and love.What you do this week is an act of evil.You come to steal,kill and destroy my joy,peace and love.You kill and destroy your own parents house today.Remember the kingdom of Tonga is in God hand.What you did will come back to you.We don’t need democratic nation.We need a rightous,justice leader in the kingdom.We need to see leader who walk their talk.
    I honour and respect my King Siaosi Tupou v.God anoint the king and our leader.We need to stop talking but praying for our nation.

    My parent teach me how to love,honour and respect.That my root.My dear brothers and sisters I still love you all but I hate what you did.I believe you know what to do when you make a mistake.You destroy our relationship as a family and also our relationship with other nations.

    For those who matermind this riot you brainwash this generations with lies and hatred.I know your hurt but that not the way you respone to it.

    We need justise in every deparment of the gov’t.Kingdom has the most people have degree.

    We are rich nation and not poor.If you think you are poor that your own fall.If you are lazy you are poor man.Try to finish your educations and do what you enjoying doing,sports,farmer or business.The real Tongan man is the one who working hard,finish schools follow your dreams and vision.You are not a real Tongan if you eva around in Nuku’alofa,asking people for money,looking for drouble ,drinking kava and sleep all week.If is that you.(you need a 2×4 on your back)

    The older generations please pass something good to the younger one.

    TO ALL THE LEADERS IN TONGA.I AM HEREBY ON BEHALH OF ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO BURNS MY OWN SWEET HOME IN NUKU’ALOFA.PLEASE FORGIVE US ALL FOR THE EVIL THINGS WE DID.

    We need to come together as one so we can build a strong health kingdom.Division will never build a strong nation.Let come together to rebuild our capital city.Please don’t be angry is not good for you and your health.If you part of the riots you need to come and clean up your mess and help to build what you destroy.But this time you come with heart of love and not hatred.

    My prayer that the kingdom will come together with one heart to rebuild our nation.

    Love you all,
    Texas to Tonga

    Leave a reply
  6. Peter Forster
    November 19, 2006

    I am curious as to how you can be so shocked. You lived under British Rule, had a Monarchy and an economy so stifling that many left Tonga to pursue a more lucrative way of life abroad. I lived near the Ponsonby Ghettos of Auckland and saw first hand how New Zealanders Treated Tongans. Mormon Tongans migrated to the USA, and were isolated in a place so barren, that the Mormons named it Skull Valley. Today many of your children in the USA are so disenfranchised by the elusive American Dream that they are joining gangs. Before 9-11, I went to a Tongan festival in Salt Lake City where there were armed police officers at every door watching your every move. Aside from Governmental rule, you allowed various Christian Religions to come into your country and tell you how to live. Is it no wonder that the youth and disenfranchised are saying we had enough.

    Before pointing fingers, and showing disgust and outrage, why don’t you ask why this is happening? These riots are growing out of oppression. I know how you venerate the King and loved him, perhaps it’s time to let go of some of the old ways.

    If I were Tongan, the questions I would be asking are; what foreign companies do Tongans Support? Who owns what? Maybe its time for you in American “so shocked” to go back to Tonga and buy out those foreign investors out, take ownership and control of your trade? Get involved in politics join the Parliament and nationalize some of those foreign companies, put Tongan dollars back in Tongan pockets.

    I know Tongans are wise and good-hearted people. Tongans are some of the most inventive and creative people I have ever known. I would like to see that intrepid entrepreneurial spirit come back to the Islands.

    It’s up to Tongans to make Tonga happy again.

    Leave a reply
  7. melandy
    November 19, 2006

    to all of you who think that Tonga is out of their mind…..let us tell you something here…..you said the things that you’re saying because you don’t understand the truth of the whole riot……you are staying in foreing country that you don’t understand the pain that the people here in tonga are actually suffered……the leaders of the government collect our tax and when the people need help with their life the leaders of the government said that they don’t have money to take them overseas for surgical etc…..they took the electricity power free from the people and when the people ask to return it back they ask to be paid before they give it back…….there are more to it but we don’t to explain every little detail……because if you were living here in tonga you will know the truth of all things and how the people suffered because of the kind of leaders that we have here in our government in our little island…….so to all you haters….just stop hating and try to find out the truth before you make comments on the action of the tongan people…….peace out!!!!

    Leave a reply
  8. nbb
    November 20, 2006

    TO ALL THE PEOPLE HERE IN TONGA AND WHO EVER OUT THERE THAT HAS CAUSED ALOT OF BAD THINGS IN OUR KINGDOM OF TONGA IN NUKU’ALOFA!! YOU PEOPLE MUST BE CRAZY FOR THAT IS MY WORD!!!
    Why damage our beautiful friendly island of Tonga!! this is the most stupidiest thing i have ever heard about and saw for real life! For mostly for the deport’s who have been going through shops for only drink’s to get drunk and mostly what have you people think for the bad things by burning buildings in nuku’alofa trashing em down and even think about what you have stealed from every shop around Nuku’alofa!!!!
    If your think’n of having an new island like to be like america and other countries would you be able to pay all your rents every bill’s that will be given to you taxes and all of that if you want it to be new???
    For me nah i don’t believe the people of tonga can’not do so because we are still poor we are still low we aint like america, australia etc… If some one will owe the kingdom of tonga and we people can’not pay our debts,bills,rents, and what ever we have to we people of tonga will be ending on the streets!! those who have been doing this terrible thing is so stupid if we were in the good way and havent done anything our kingdom would of been jst in peace!! Now here all people have been doing steal’n and how would we people get our needs and wants now soldiers from australia police are surrounded in town check’n vehicles and even are not let’n the people pass through town for what the people of tonga have done to their own beautiful town!! what i call these people is Tongan Crazy people!! WHat has gone in their minds!! it will be better for someone in tonga to take care of our place of tonga cause if someelse will take our countrie tonga will be so unlucky the people will not be in the friendly country but will be leaded by someone else!!
    Last words to all the people MAY GOD BLESS YA ALL OUT THERE AND TRY TO GET YA BRAINS BACK!! BUT ALSO A BIG OFA LAHI ATU!!!

    Leave a reply
  9. jope .Vee
    November 20, 2006

    To all the beautiful people of tonga.. i’m am from Fiji and always admire this beautiful country especially it’s people ..since i was a child..the first thing i learn in primary school about this beautiful country..is it’s friendliness of it’s people..right now i’m wondering where is it’s friendliness..to be frank…you guys cannot live like the democracy countries because you were born to be monarchy…and the way you vandalise your country is not the way express your hunger for democracy..you guys cannot copycat Fiji..like coups because we were born to be democracy and freedom is what we fight for but to you Tongans ..you were born to be friendlineess ,respect and intergrity is always be known with you forever.

    Leave a reply
  10. rosy marie
    November 20, 2006

    I could never agree more with those of you who have stood for peaceful grounds and continuance of our historical political style. For others in this forum whom have preached democracy and sympathized with the recent reprisals; there are nations fit for democratic reform and Tonga was and is not structured for this type of leadership.

    Tonga’s beauty is identifiable by its prolonged political stability; solid christian practices; and government regulations that were founded and integrated upon principles of order and truth. Our founding fathers and Kings were perpetrators of peace, respect, and love for all which has created the Island Kingdom a special place that people like me will always call home and cherish.

    Tonga does not have to measure up to the world of commonplace democratic ideals because it did not claim fame by common rule but by prevailing leneage of Kingship, traditional norms and independence.

    Why sympathize and tolerate a movement for change that is demanded by civil disobedience, theft, death, violence? These are scandalous actions that can only merit with justice and nothing more.

    Leave a reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.