FROM your reports of recent memory, Prime Minister Dr. Feleti Sevele has now fired two very smart and strong-minded women from their government posts. The latest victim was the former AG/MJ, Ms. 'Alisi Taumoepeau (PM says 'Alisi...5 Feb, 2010).
Besides the lame justification for sacking Ms Taumoepeau, it illustrates to me that Dr. Sevele might have a problem working with "smart" women. I don't buy his justification for the firing one bit because of the contradictory rationalizations I find in his explanation . . .
Dr. Sevele confirmed that Ms. Taumoepeau was appointed by His Majesty the King. However, he did not confirm that it was the King who fired the former Minister of Justice (MJ). Where did the PM get his power to terminate Ms. Taumoepeau's portfolios? Does the PM still take orders from the King (as Terminator), or is he supposed to be independent (three independent branches of government)?
Challenging Male Authority
There was no mention of a Parliamentary Court where Ms. Taumoepeau was tried, and found guilty of the charges Prime Minister Sevele leveled at her. Ms. Taumoepeau was "asked to resign" for challenging the males' authority in government, in my opinion. If she refused to follow her conscience and professional governance, she would have been treated like a "good obedient fefine Tonga."
How can Tonga attract more "smart" women to top government positions if their organizational skills and ingenuity are interpreted as threats to Tonga's feudal, male-authority syndrome? Ms. Taumoepeau claims that PM Sevele did not like her legal opinion. Meanwhile, Dr. Sevele claims she was fired for questioning the King's constitutional authority, and that she intentionally misled Cabinet.
Checks and Balances
Dr. Sevele is in fact protecting the King's preference to appoint the Chief Justice, and other judicial appointments. The PM must challenge this undemocratic practice instead: The King must not appoint justices without confirmation of the Legislative. Judicial appointments must not be the sole privilege of the Administrative Branch. The people must have a say in the process, otherwise we are back to the old system again.
Congratulations, Ms. Taumoepeau! You had the brains and the guts to question the "King's constitutional authority." Aren't there "law review" procedures to clarify these complex constitutional questions? Secondly, you challenged the Tongan feudal, male-chauvinistic rule in government.
Bravo! We need more "smart" women like you in government. Unfortunately, you may have been unfairly branded and cast out as a warning to Tongan women: Toe the line with the male authorities or else . . .
