12 Mar 2008

Tonga report on tourism ministry corruption kept under wraps

3:21 pm on 12 March 2008

In Tonga, the Government Auditor-General's report on the alleged misuse of funds by the Minister of Tourism, Fineasi Funaki, is still to be made public.

Two months ago the Minister was alleged to have misappropriated public funds, with some of the allegations coming from his own Director of Tourism.

An investigation was undertaken by the Auditor General but the Minister of Information, Afu'alo Matoto, says that report is still with Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele.

Mr Matoto has told Matangi Tonga online that the report does not have to be submitted to Cabinet for deliberation and can be left entirely for the Prime Minister and King George Tupou V to make a decision on.

Mr Matoto says the full report will not be made public but a summary of the findings may be released.