-
Princess Ashika, the ferry that sank 86 km northeast of the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa - Source: Reuters -
Related
It's hard to find an image more haunting than five year old orphan Una.
On the night the Princess Ashika sank, drowning her parents and siblings, she didn't really understand what had happened. Now she does, and it shows in her eyes.
We spent some time with the Sulaki family and I noticed how Una was forever clutching on to her grandmother for comfort, fearful of letting her go in case she lost her too. Every so often Una would become a carefree child again but those moments were few and far between.
Such is the lives of the victims' families eight months on.
The real heartbreak over the Ashika disaster is this was not mother nature doing her worst. This wasn't a natural disaster which we have no control over, this was of man's doing. The Commission of Inquiry report said the Ashika tragedy was "easily preventable, senseless, it was scandalous that such a maritime disaster could ever have been allowed to occur. It was the result of systemic and individual failure".
This of course is the report that has yet to be made public in Tonga. One of the things revealed in this report is that the safety of Tongan people's lives have been compromised for years. The report reads: "The Minister of Transport allowed unseaworthy vessels to sail in Tonga for years. This is hardly surprising given that leaders such as the Prime Minister have known about unseaworthy vessels being allowed to sail, yet not taken any positive measures to stop this from happening".
There's a raft of government failures listed in this report - but when I asked the Tongan Minister for Information, 'Eseta Fusitu'a, to comment she said "What is it that tells me not to speak? The procedures. That's what tells me and anyone else in government. It's the processes".
Really? Where were those procedures and processes when the Tongan government bought their people a death trap. It's just rich that "procedure" is trotted out now because it suits - it was sadly lacking last year.
But the real issue was the report was not made public as soon as it was delivered to the King, Legislative Assembly and Privy Council. There was no reason for the government not to do so. When the issue was brought up that ONE News was the first media organisation to obtain and publish the report online shortly after it was delivered to the King, Mrs Fusitu'a said she would be looking at that. "Procedure" has apparently been breached.
So to make it easier for Mrs Fusitu'a, here's our "procedure". We got a leaked copy of the document - we put it on our news and on our TVNZ website immediately. End of story.
ONE News is not involved in the Commission of Inquiry report, we are not one of the parties so we have no obligation to keep it secret. Our obligation is to provide as many people as possible with the correct information. Why should the families of the victims have to wait for "procedure" and "protocol" and "processes" to be followed before finding out what killed their loved ones.
It must be said the Commission of Inquiry has done an amazing job. The amount of work that has gone into this is incredible and goes some way to showing the victims' families that their loved ones have not died in vain. I hope Una and the other victims' families will find moments of peace - but I fear that may be some time off.
Note: The report is expected to be tabled in parliament on Tuesday April 6 and it will become public after that.
World News Video
-
Dangerous rush to Everest summit (1:59)
-
Dozens killed in Syrian massacre (2:09)
-
'King of Romance' competes in Eurovision (1:46)
Add a Comment:
Post new commentpitalema said on 2011-08-16 @ 12:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
Great story on Samoa Barbara! I applaud your writing on pacific island nations. Very informative and precise. I myself as a samoan born, but raised in NZ can understand the background to your story. I think we are a nation of "hope" and people of "dreams", always striving for that success. I think David is a trooper to get as far as he has and Manu Samoa are proving themselves all over again! Keep up the great writing Barbara!
Miusika said on 2010-04-05 @ 17:38 NZDT: Report abusive post
You are correct Pilinisi but isn't that her job to protect whoever is in government. At one time Eseta was a fierce enemy to Sevele when he (Sevele) was still an MP. I do not always agree with Eseta but I admire the woman for doing her job just as Clive Edwards did when he was minister. Loyalty is something that civil servants lack in Tonga. The truth will come out because nothing was hidden from the public and the onus is on the government and the Legislative Assembly. I hope that they will do the right thing especially the government because 16/11 is a constant reminder of people power.
Pilinisi said on 2010-04-04 @ 22:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
It is quite common in Tonga that Queen Esther, the PMs mouth-piece is nothing but was paid from Tongans tax money only to front for Seveles government whenever it happened to be accused for any wrongdoing. The wished-to-be-Queen is the great enemy of media in Tonga. Queen Esther, the Lady Puppet, should understand that since the commission of inquiry started every single word recorded went public despite the fact that no gagging order was issued. Whats cooking?
Miusika said on 2010-04-04 @ 14:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
Your article is very interesting but I do not agree with you on the fact that the government was hiding behind procedure. Like the New Zealand government or any other government they have protocols to follow and procedures. Yes the people need to know and they will but the report has yet to be tabled in parliament and I think that is where the minister was coming from. Dont shoot into the darkness like a parachute journalist often does coz you dont know what is out there.
Anon to save my skin said on 2009-05-05 @ 00:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
Great article Barbara! How come the Maori queen thinks this is about indigenous people? It's about madmen and their guns, greed, power and corruption!