Posted at 06:16 on 27 May, 2008 UTC
A man has been shot in the thigh during an armed robbery outside a sub-branch of the Westpac Bank in Tonga.
The police have been unavailable for comment, but a reporter for the Talaki newspaper says police confirm to the paper that the robbers made off with more than 1,600 US dollars yesterday afternoon.
Dave Motulalo from the Talaki newspaper says a robber had pounced on a female worker as she went to deposit her company’s earnings for the day.
He says her driver tried to help her but was attacked by a second robber.
“The second person was carrying a 12 gauge pump action shot gun, and he was shot in the thighs. Anyway they took off with the money and they called for help but they already got away with it. The police is still on their trail.”
Dave Motulalo says police believe at least three people were involved in the robbery, with another driving a get-away pick-up truck.
He believes the man who was shot has recovered well.
Source:
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=40010
Ko e ha koa kuo pehe ai 'etau me'a 'o kaiha'a ho'ata pe ... ?????
The drug culture in Tonga had to be addressed promptly as its starting to instal fear to the tiny island... yes deportees with history of violence and drugs abuse are running havoc in the Kingdom and yet the government are not doing enough to avoid such violence crimes...
You often wonder how such crime happens in such a tiny place in which almost everyone knows each other ....
Ko e palopalema tatau 'oku hoko 'i muli ki he fanau Tonga .. ka fakapeseti koe tokolahi taha o e ngaue popula koe fanau Tonga 'i Aust...
Mahalo ko Tonga ia 'e hu'u e sio ia ki he ta'ema'u ngaue ... ka ko hono mo'oni 'oku fu'u lahi 'aupito pe maliuana ia 'i Tonga.... of those who have committed those crimes in 16/11 most of them were drugged ... tatau pe he konaa pia pea moe kau maniana...
Now we know that when we started off with the calls to reform, the biggest question was about leadership integrity, but also had adverse impact on Morals and Values. Although we may say the nobles are a bunch of idiots and "school-cut" fools, they are on the centre of the Tongan culture. They are the embodiment of the culture, in other words they are obliged from birth to behave like a true Tongan. They are at the foundations of the Tongan culture, unfortunately. But hey that doesnt mean we arent, because the titles are of patrilineal for traditional Tongan families, and yes, Tonga is indeed supposed to be One Big Happy Famliy.
Anyway, an unwise touch to the foundations will have aftershocks everywhere. The criticism of the nobility was not done in a proper manner according to the tradition, but add on to that the arogance of some of them, not willing to admit.
Unfortunately, this is not a surprise. No wonder the children are lost, one of the fathers f*cked up, and the one sent to correct him(reps), went to him and f*cked him up some more.
I will be surprised if we are surprised.
Toki lave atu
pakolosi Wrote:Now we know that when we started off with the calls to reform, the biggest question was about leadership integrity, but also had adverse impact on Morals and Values. Although we may say the nobles are a bunch of idiots and "school-cut" fools, they are on the centre of the Tongan culture. They are the embodiment of the culture, in other words they are obliged from birth to behave like a true Tongan. They are at the foundations of the Tongan culture, unfortunately. But hey that doesnt mean we arent, because the titles are of patrilineal for traditional Tongan families, and yes, Tonga is indeed supposed to be One Big Happy Famliy.
Anyway, an unwise touch to the foundations will have aftershocks everywhere. The criticism of the nobility was not done in a proper manner according to the tradition, but add on to that the arogance of some of them, not willing to admit.
Unfortunately, this is not a surprise. No wonder the children are lost, one of the fathers f*cked up, and the one sent to correct him(reps), went to him and f*cked him up some more.
I will be surprised if we are surprised.
Toki lave atu
I agree 100%. Tonga needs GOOD Leadership! Leadership that are accountable to its subjects and have integrity as first and foremost. You see Pakolosi, When you're talking about integrity, morals and values, I kind of stumbled and shivered a little. Why? it is because I grew up in a family that our life was very much revolved around serving the royals. The royals and the nobles should be the ones to lead us in all the richness of Tongan culture, but sadly it was not the case. These people are the ones that lead us away from the Tongan culture. I'll give you an example, Tupou V did not wear a ta'ovala on the burial of his father. Where is our culture?? And when we're talking about integrity? Is he not owe us money from the shoreline? How about his sister with the Tongasat?? Where is the integrity? These nobles are blood suckers! The very reason why they were placed in each village, are for them to look after the well being of the people. What they do? Sucking the life blood of the people! Absolutely suckers!
So for me, I rather entertain the ideas of changing to democracy, at least our leaders would be accountable to us people.
Good one kehekehe. I accept. What I'm on about is that our struggle to be free, we establish another dynasty. And thus we be back to square one.
The nobilities f-ed up the country, no doubt.
I am not refering to what situation we are at, or why we are reforming. I am more worried about "What are we CHANGING into?"
Sadly that is the situation, some of the people's representatives are becoming harder to question, and if you doubt me, go to the (People's)Committee members. Akilisi has said in one of the papers that "My body is democracy!" What that means to the unaware people is conditioning them to think- they can be no democracy without HIM! We are then turning him into the next king. The sort of "I am the way the truth and the life" to make people always depend on him. AND that my friend, should send the chills up your spine.
But I couldnt agree with you more. We need competent people in leadership.
Malie eh? Io, malie ia pea toe lelesoni...
But so the saying goes, "Why would I trade one dictator 3000miles away from me, for 3000 dictators one mile away?"
The increase of crime and violence is a reflection of a combination of factors that the government has failed to address.
In all countries, we suffer from the affects of crime and violence. But the responsibility lies with the government to protect the people, develop laws and systems to address the growing need of security for its nation.
Since 16/11 the government has instilled “Emergency Powers” This was done on the basis that there were some in the community (in particular town officers) that told the government that there was a threat.
Yes, there is a threat. But the threat is not from crime, the threat comes from the governments stubbornness to allow political transparency and change.
It is in such environments that we have at the moment, poverty will rise, inflation will rise and subsequently crime and violence will also rise.
As long as the government refuses to address the issues of crime and violence and concentrates on protecting its weak political position, crime and violence will continue to rise.
In fact there has been more shootings and crimes against society since the inception of “Emergency Powers” than compared to previous.
Tafolo bausa was robbed at gunpoint, a Chinese woman was shot in her fale koloa, a Tongan woman was shot and the shooter shot himself at Mosmani store. Numerous buildings have burnt down and house break-ins are on the rise.
The government is spending tax payers money to protect its fragile corrupt political operation and not protecting its own citizens.
There is ample warning given to the government regarding deportees and lack of controls at customs in which illegal firearms can enter into the country. But the government is still looking in another direction
While the king controls the country via a handful of incompetent self indulgent self protectorates, each ensuring their own survival and that of the royal family, the rest of the country will be sacrificed.
Funds to protect the nation are being squandered on coronation gowns and golden scepters, rather than services for the benefit of the community. Resources of police and defense services are being used to ensure the survival of a few ministers. Government Investigation resources are used to prosecute inncocent political rivals rather than the protection and benefit of the citizens.
While the government ceases to address the issues, the end result will be a bloody mess.
Look out!
We only have to luk upon ourselves for a start... in terms of discipling our childrens ... Government might play a minor roles but parents must take responsibilities for themselves. Anyway most of these so called criminals comes from different backrounds and almost all of them from broken homes... For deportees both parents lives overseas while they struggle to adjust to a new life with the relatives back home...
Hange 'e tuhu pe me'a kotoa ki he Pule'anga.. 'ai pe mo tau ki'i sio hifo ki lalo na'a 'oku tau hala koaa mo tatou?????
Government sources have admitted years ago that they were not prepared to such huge numbers of deportees and multiple skills and convictions which no one knows but themselves and the reasons why they are being kicked out of their various adopted countries ...
I know a cousin of mine who is now back home in Tonga but was supposed to be in prison for life in the States for murder is an example... a constant pain for the relatives back home...
I couldnt agree with you more. In fact to me there are no contradictions. The government did mess up big time.
Which one? Thats the question needed to be answered.
Now the social problem going on now is, as it is- social, and remains there for some very human ingenuity and ability to solve it. In other words, some of the people's problems are themselve's. How in the hell did we end up blaming another for ones transgressions. We blame government, is government GOD now? Are they supposed to? Is GOD supposed to be government?
Hell NO.
We are indeed begining to be very very ignorant. The deportees, are the mess-up of democratic governments, injected into a tiny kingdom to xxxx it up. How's that?
Whatever happened to, "Ko eku angakovi, ko haaku pe ia angakovi"? Whatever happened to responsibility? What the xxxx is going on?
Besides, arent we ripping from the people themselves of their ability to remedy problems when we say, its the gov fault. People do have the ability to make amends, forgive, coreect, and discipline themselves. Its a small island in the middle of nowhere, we dont have too imidate the other nations. It should be easy.
Tommorow I should just wake up, rob the shop neaxt door, rape the next girl on the street, and burn the Alonga centre. Afterwards I WIILL scream, "Its the government's fault!" That should be a classic. Of course the issue about putting laws in place to prevent, investigate crimes and strike justice on those who dare break it. But choosing to break the law or not, unfortunately, is up to you and me. Freedom, it is, to choose between right and wrong.
Parents, chastice your sons and daughters in love. For the bible says it is your responsibility to "train" not teach, not tell, and definitely not allow them to be "deported" by your ignorance. For the father that "loves" a son chastices him.
To be continued...
Kainga, malo e talanga moe 'omi fakakaukau kihe loki ni pea 'oku tau to'o 'inasi kotoa ai.
Koe ngaahi palopalema faingata'a ko'eni 'oku fekuki moe fonuaa, koe mo'oni koe to nounou 'ae kau tauhi sipi (matu'a) ka 'oku fu'u "AVAAVA "ange fau e fu'u 'Aa (pule'anga) 'oku ne malu'i kinautolu.
Toutou 'ahia foki 'a tonga he ngaahi ta'u mai ki mui ni mai 'ou fakatokanga'i 'ae nofo kei iiki 'ae fanau mei he lautohi pule'anga,Konaa fanga ki'i ta'u iiki he nightclubs ,lahi moe ta'x ma'u ngauee.
Koe fehu'ii,' Oku 'iai nai ha "LAO" ke puketu'u 'aki e ngaahi matu'a 'oe fanau li'aki ako ko'eni kae pehee foki kihe ngaahi fakatau'anga kavamalohi pe nightclubs 'oku kona efu holo ai e fangaki'i fanau ko'enii?
Kapau leva 'oku 'iai ha lao kiai,'oku founga fefe hono fakahoko pe ko hono Enforce e ngaahilao koia he oku kei fokotu'una faka'aho e ngaahi MAUMAU LAO koia he fonuaa ?
Fu'ulahi faufaua e ta'x ma'u NGAUE moe to nounou FAKA'EKINOMIKA he fonuaa pea koe aka tefito ia 'oe ngaahi faihia ko'eni .
'Ilonga 'aupito 'ae 'ikai malava 'e he pule'anga ke kumi ha maketi 'i muli ke 'ave kiai e ivi 'oe kakaii(ngoue) 'i he maumau mo hono fakatauli'aki pe ho nau ivii 'i Talamahu moe ngaahi ve'ehala.
.Ikai malava 'e he pule'anga ke fokotu'u ha ngaahi ngaue'anga ke fakangauee'i 'aki kinautolu 'oku toki nofo mai mei he ako koe 'uhii pe koe nounou fakapa'anga.
Ka 'oku nau FAKAPOTOPOTO'I nai e pa'anga 'oku ma'u mai pe 'ofa mai 'aki kihe fonuaa pe 'oku nau faka'auha tavale pe he 'uhinga ta'efakapotopoto?
Koe fu'u pa'anga lahi foki he patiseti fakata'u 'oku foaki ma'ae "SOTIA" pea kou pehee koe pa'anga mole lahi,mole noa'ia mo ta'efakapotopoto
'eni.'Ikai 'aupito ha 'uhinga lelei ke 'iai ha potungaue pehe ni 'ae fonua.
Fakapotopoto ange ke 'omi e patiseti koia ke upgrade 'aki e tu'unga fakangaue 'ae potungaue polisi pea toe improve foki mo honau tokolahii he ko kinautolu 'oku deals with the public on daily basis.He koe 'atunga e kuo hoko e fana ia ko'eni ne 'ikai ha cops around ke fakahoko honau fatongia ,a hono fakapapauu'i e malu e kakai e fonuaa .
Koia ai 'oku 'iai 'eku tui ta'etoe veiveiua koe makatu'unga'anga 'oe ngaahi palopalema ni koe fu'u matu'aki tonounou 'ihe fakahoko fatongia 'ae kau taki hotau ki'i pule'anga.
PEACE!
Pakolosi,
The demise of social standards is a true reflection of the government and leaders of the country.
The commoners in any society look at and emulate their leaders. If the leaders are corrupt, greedy and display an attitude of social division, then too the commoners in society will establish a similar environment within their own structure.
Yes this does not excuse the crimes that are committed, and hence the requirement to have a suitable justice system to deter, prevent and punish criminals. The justice system is developed by the government and leaders of the country, and if they are only intent on looking after themselves, then the laws that they make will reflect this selfishness also.
Its interesting that you raised the issue of rape. Yes you are correct, one cannot solely blame the government for crimes and atrocities such as rape and murder, but you failed to understand the link between governance and social behavior.
If society and government promotes class divisions, then the lower social structure will then develop its own social diviosns as well, even within its own ranks. Often women and children are the losers in such cases. And most commonly that social structure is held in place by crime, violence and fear. Such examples of this include countries that fail to see and appreciate the value of women in society. In such countries, the law makers refuse to allow women to own land, and often have prejudice laws that benefit men over women and children.
Where we have a social structure in which the upper classes holds all the wealth, land and decision making for lower classes, then this in itself breeds a social demise of corruption and greed.
Those at the upper level of society develop laws and protocols to enhance and protect their own lifestyles wealth and greed, thereby affecting the social standards and facilities of the lower classes. Examples of this include the passing of laws whereby the countries taxes are used for the benefit of the upper classes and the lack of transparency within the governments dealings of how they spend, borrow and operate the country.
This depletes the countries funds for social infrastructure, jobs, education, health and the like.
This results in a poor standard of living which has a direct effect on social standards. In such an environment, crime will be an issue and the issue is usually a rise in crime with a demise of social standards.
So getting back to your point. You commit a crime (example rape) and then you blame the government. Well, if the leaders and officials of a country live a lifestyle whereby they themselves demand and receive what ever they desire, of course there will be a flow on effect lower down through the social structure.
If those leaders fail to protect the community by not passing suitable laws, not utilizing (or choosing to abuse) the defence and police force for their own individual needs, then you can expect problems.
If leaders pass laws whereby they freely and openly take from the pockets of the common tax payers for frivolous spending and deplete the funds needed to maintain social cohesion, then social demise will happen.
The end result will be lack of resources available to fight crime, or to bring justice to perpetrators, Then criminals will see how easily it is to get away with crimes since the chances of being caught are slim. Then crime will rise.
Add into this the frail economy where people do not have jobs, prices are high and people live in poverty with a lack of food, then it does become an issue for the government. Failing to address these issue will result in increase crime in society.
Now I hope you understand the direct relationship between social demise and governance.
Kaekehe, simplify it.
Correct me if I am wrong. The revolution to social ideals are mostly directly(or indirectly) initiated by economical disasters. There.
I agree that gov. has to have a part in this. At least in addressing and the mitigation side.
You also said, "Since 16/11 the government has instilled “Emergency Powers” This was done on the basis that there were some in the community (in particular town officers) that told the government that there was a threat.
Yes, there is a threat. But the threat is not from crime, the threat comes from the governments stubbornness to allow political transparency and change."
So, hmmm. Should we blame government for using Emergency powers to protect the people of kolofoou, or...
Which is the cause, and which is the effect?
I would like to know. Because the more we relate to this as individuals of an unit, I think the better we understand this.
pakolosi Wrote:Kaekehe, simplify it.
Correct me if I am wrong. The revolution to social ideals are mostly directly(or indirectly) initiated by economical disasters. There.
I agree that gov. has to have a part in this. At least in addressing and the mitigation side.
You also said, "Since 16/11 the government has instilled “Emergency Powers” This was done on the basis that there were some in the community (in particular town officers) that told the government that there was a threat.
Yes, there is a threat. But the threat is not from crime, the threat comes from the governments stubbornness to allow political transparency and change."
So, hmmm. Should we blame government for using Emergency powers to protect the people of kolofoou, or...
Which is the cause, and which is the effect?
I would like to know. Because the more we relate to this as individuals of an unit, I think the better we understand this.
The use of emergency powers has not stemmed from a social disaster, rather the government has used a few in the community as an excuse to maintain "Emergency Powers" to protect its own political position, not to protect the people of Kolofoou, or anyone else for that matter. The government's primary concern is for the survival of its own political postion and that of the protection of the country's elite- not for the protection of its citizens.
Hence the reason for this article, hence the reason for the shooting and robbery at Westpac Bank, and possibly a good reason that the robbers took a daring risk. They knew the governments focus is not on civil protection and therefore there was a good chance they could get away with it!
I think your social theory is twisted completely.
You went from being too complicated(realy you made no sense), to being plain. Probably too simple.
Excusable the people may switch leaders, blaming them for economical collapse, but realy I cant believe you said the perpetrators may have chosen to rob, and endanger life by using such weapon(s), because they wanted to exploit a political opportunity.
Social structures are based on ideals, values and morals. Also within a social structure these abstracts can be interchangable. The infringements are taken individualy- BY FREE CHOICE. A choice to do that and not that. To condition human behaviour like you put it, is, I have no word for it- but idiotic.
If life was how you simplified it, we should be the government(democratic I think) you're in to courts(International tribunal I think) every time a crime is made.
Mannn..........
ASK NOT WHAT TONGA CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR TONGA:
Editor,
I am tired of people playing the 'blame game'. Whenever something bad happens, people are quick to blame everyone but themselves. We point the fingers at the Government, the economy, the tv, technology, drugs and alcohols, and even blame the world for their misfortunes. We tend to forget that each person that has committed or will committ a crime comes from a family and is a product of a home. The crimes and the problems that we see now in Tonga is only the reflection of the qualities of our homes. The home is the basic unit of any society, and must be protected and strengthen at all costs. I keep hearing people boasting about how Tonga is such a christian and a religious country, and I wonder what happen to good old 'honesty'. I have met lots of honest people in my life time, and most of them do not claim to go to any church and yet they love their wives and raise good children. I am not anti-church either, but what I meant is that 'honesty' like all good morals is a principle that must be taught in our homes. A very wise man once said, if you want to change the world, you must change yourself first, and I propose that if you and I want to change the world, we must must start changing ourselves first. Parents and individuals must stop blaming others, and immediately take responsibility for themselves, and ask yourselves NOT what Tonga can do for you, but what you can do for Tonga !
pakolosi Wrote:Good one kehekehe. I accept. What I'm on about is that our struggle to be free, we establish another dynasty. And thus we be back to square one.
The nobilities f-ed up the country, no doubt.
I am not refering to what situation we are at, or why we are reforming. I am more worried about "What are we CHANGING into?"
Sadly that is the situation, some of the people's representatives are becoming harder to question, and if you doubt me, go to the (People's)Committee members. Akilisi has said in one of the papers that "My body is democracy!" What that means to the unaware people is conditioning them to think- they can be no democracy without HIM! We are then turning him into the next king. The sort of "I am the way the truth and the life" to make people always depend on him. AND that my friend, should send the chills up your spine.
But I couldnt agree with you more. We need competent people in leadership.
Malie eh? Io, malie ia pea toe lelesoni...
But so the saying goes, "Why would I trade one dictator 3000miles away from me, for 3000 dictators one mile away?"
Very well said "Pakolosi", and you have been taught well in the realm of politics. But how did you get away from the topics being posted into talking aboutt he change "Democracy" is bringin on the Island Kingdom. We here to talk about a shooting, and you talking about Akilisi. Was Akilisi involved in this shooting??? Or maybe the DemoParty was involved, as with the claim for what happened with the burning of Nuk.
Although we have different views of the people that's in government today, and will the same for tomorrow, the issue that the government can stop crimes is but a fantasy. Government in any form or fashion, can only try to to control, but neva can stop. It is up to "YOU" the Father, the Mother, the one left with the upbringing of a child to instill the values and morals, our darn higher-ups don't have. If the children of Tonga looks up to their leader for role models, all they see is what they're doing now, "Everyone for themselves"!! And if they were to look for Mom & Dad, they both are too busy at "Lotu"!! Call on the government to raise up and be role models for the sake of our future. And call on the local churches to "wake up and smell the coffee". Quit pointing to 'deportees' from muli, but start pointing at the Church!!
tonga4tonga a lil' update in one line-
The Political Reform is inducing a reshuffle in the social structure of Tonga..Ahemm
And yes there is no other institution in society(The Church) that is more responsible to the choices of its members. For they are the ones responsible for reinforcing the same "Morals", "Values", and "Ideals" that are the foundations for that society's outlook on "Life". It is the church reponsible to giving the members "Meaning to Life". Sadly, the search for that meaning and purpose has been the same since Man gained consciousness. And even though the saviour has showed the way, there are a lot still lost.
But realy, should we blame the church for a bunch of robbers who decided out of their free will, to almost kill somebody else? I think the church has to have a part in this, they have failed somewhere, but do they bear the sole responsibility of these people's actions andstupidity)?
As for lcnnj, well said. So far you are the only person talking some sense here...