Tonga’s Prime Minister-designate, Lord Fakafanua, addressed concerns regarding a proposed citizenship-by-investment scheme, stating the sale of Tongan passports is currently “a non-issue” as it has yet to be officially approved. Speaking to RNZ Pacific, he clarified that the proposal, which has drawn criticism from both residents and the Tongan diaspora, is still in its early stages and needs to pass through the proper parliamentary processes before any decision can be made.
He stressed the importance of public debate and consultation, noting, “There will be plenty of opportunities to debate and hold public consultations on the topic. If it has merit to benefit the nation then why won’t we entertain it?” The proposal involves selling citizenship for $190,000, or $220,000 for families of two to four, and is projected to earn the Tongan government approximately $400 million over five years.
Concerns surrounding the proposal have been voiced by Mele ‘Amanaki, general secretary of the Tonga Public Service Association, who indicated plans to petition King Tupou VI and parliament against the scheme. ‘Amanaki mentioned that Tongans both locally and abroad are apprehensive, recalling historical issues tied to past passport sales. She emphasized the significance of learning from previous failures, referring to similar proposals that were rejected in the past and the problems experienced during earlier sales in the 1980s.
The article mentions that this is not Tonga’s first encounter with citizenship sales. Countries like Vanuatu and Nauru also have similar programs, but such sales are often clouded by controversy. In Tonga’s past, initiatives to sell passports during the late 20th century were marred by mismanagement and corruption, leading to minimal benefits for the government, and eventually inciting public outrage, as seen in the Nuku’alofa riots of 2006.
Political adviser Lopeti Senituli underscored that any renewed efforts around citizenship-for-cash schemes would always raise significant concerns among Tongans, particularly regarding accountability of the royal leadership. With the current political landscape under Fakafanua’s leadership, there are questions on how transparently such major decisions will be scrutinized in the future.
The ongoing discussions about the proposed citizenship scheme highlight the complexities facing Tonga as it navigates revenue generation while ensuring public trust and accountability in governance. As the nation looks forward, the emphasis remains on social stability and the need for thorough checks and balances in any potential new legislation.
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