Tongans welcome new Acting PM

High-profile democracy campaigners are among the Tongans welcoming the elevation of commoner Feleti (Fred) Sevele, a long-time critic of royal rule, to Acting Prime Minister.

Fotu Fisi'iahi, Public Service Association vice-president and one of the leaders of last year's crippling strike, said although there was uncertainty that Dr Sevele's post would be made permanent, the move was a signal that the Government "is listening to the people now".

If Dr Sevele's place was confirmed and he proved to work for the good of the people, said Mr Fisi'iahi, then he would be supported.

He would become only the second non-royal to lead the Government after Baron Vaea, who served as Prime Minister from 1991 to 2000.

Leading democracy campaigner 'Akilisi Pohiva, an MP, told TVNZ yesterday that Dr Sevele was close to Crown Prince Tupouto'a, who had made the appointment in the absence of his father, the increasingly unwell King Tupou IV.

He said Dr Sevele, a businessman with a doctorate in economics, would be influential in helping set up a democratic government in a kingdom where commoners had little power.

The Government did not explain the circumstances when it announced on Saturday that after six years as Prime Minister, the King's youngest son, Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, had resigned his four ministerial posts.

Mr Pohiva said it was unclear if he left voluntarily or was pushed.

The Government did not clarify the situation. Its press release on Saturday described Dr Sevele, the Trade, Industry and Commerce Minister and third term MP, as a "leading scholar with years of experience in business, as well as the promotion of the development of the community, the church and the government".

Officials would not comment yesterday on what the move represented or whether Dr Sevele would be confirmed as Prime Minister.

He was not able to be contacted while touring outlying areas hit by Cyclone Vaianu.

Chief Cabinet secretary Eseta Fusitua said if the Herald wanted a "focused conversation" with Dr Sevele, it would have to wait until today, once the Government was "out of cyclone mode".

Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday the events in Tonga had "come as quite a surprise. The fact that [Dr Sevele] is the Acting Prime Minister indicates this might not be a permanent state of affairs, but that's for the Tongan people to work out".

James Prescott, chairman of the Pacific Islands Community Radio Trust in Auckland, said he could see few likely candidates - "and none among the ranks of the aristocracy" - and Dr Sevele's appointment was a "move towards sharing power and authority".

THE STORY SO FAR

* Tonga's absolute ruler, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, appoints the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Last year, for the first time, he allowed two pro-democracy MPs, one of them Fred Sevele, and two elected nobles into the Cabinet.

* Civil servants went on strike over pay for six weeks from July 22, their action broadening into a movement for political reform. Unrest hit Auckland.

* The first meeting of the new 12-member National Committee on Political Reform was held late last year. Its members include Government figures and leading pro-democracy campaigners. It reports in May.