Prime Minister Saosi Sovaleni told Parliament yesterday that it is a milestone for Tonga to have its first Anti-Corruption Commissioner appointed for a five year contract effective from July 1st.
The new Commissioner is James Christopher LaHatte, an experienced lawyer from New Zealand.
The appointment has been approved by the King.
The Prime Minister said it has been more than 10 years since the approval for an Anti-Corruption Commission to be established in Tonga, but only now the Government has been able to set it up.
The delay has been a funding issue. The Anti-Corruption Commission is understood to be funded by foreign aid. Response from the public has been very positive as there has been a call over many years for the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission to lead in the fight against corruption in Tonga.
