Nuku‘alofa — Independent MP Paula Piveni Piukala was suspended from Parliament for one day on Tuesday after a heated confrontation with Chairman of the Whole House Committee Lord Tu‘ilakepa, who warned that he would kai vevela—a Tongan figurative expression meaning to receive a severe beating and feel its full painful impact.
The clash arose while Piukala was speaking on organised crime and illicit drug trafficking, referring to several incidents from his tenure as Minister of Police.
During his remarks, Lord Tu‘ilakepa repeatedly challenged Piukala, stating that he was making allegations without evidence and should first submit supporting documents to Parliament before such matters could be formally debated.
Gomez Connection Questioned
Tensions escalated when Piukala asked the Chair whether he was a friend of Antonio Gomez, apparently referring to Obeil Antonio Zuluaga Gomez, a Colombian national linked to a major drug-trafficking investigation.
Gomez came under the spotlight in an Australian police investigation that alleged drugs from South America were trafficked through Tonga en route to Australia and China around 2010
Piukala’s remarks appeared to allude to longstanding allegations that Lord Tu‘ilakepa used his influence as former Speaker of Parliament to assist Gomez in obtaining a visa to Tonga and had offered to accommodate and financially support him.
The matter was brought before the courts in Tonga. However, the Crown later withdrew the drug charges after determining that intercepted phone communications presented as evidence were not admissible under Tongan law.
The exchange quickly deteriorated, with raised voices and repeated interruptions from both sides. At one point, Lord Tu‘ilakepa warned Piukala that it would take only a short distance for him to reach and beat him.
Piukala responded, in a figurative remark, cautioning him not to assume he would prevail, and said he was willing for the House to be tātāpuni (closed doors), a Tongan expression meaning to lock the doors and allow the combatants to continue fighting until a winner emerges.
Lord Tu‘ilakepa then warned Piukala that he would kai vevela, a Tongan figurative expression conveying confidence that the opponent would receive a severe beating and feel its full painful impact.
Lord Tu‘ilakepa called Piukala to order three times, but the MP continued speaking. The Chair subsequently instructed parliamentary security officers to escort Piukala from the chamber and announced his suspension for the remainder of the day.
Although no physical altercation occurred, the incident immediately revived memories of the pair’s parliamentary fight last year.
Previous Brawl
In the earlier incident, widely reported by local and New Zealand media, Parliament descended into chaos when Piukala and Lord Tu‘ilakepa exchanged punches on the floor of the Legislative Assembly.
At the time, Piukala, then Minister of Police, took offence after Lord Tu‘ilakepa, acting as Chairman of the Whole House Committee, instructed him to stop shouting during parliamentary proceedings.
Piukala crossed the chamber toward the Chair’s seat, and a physical confrontation ensued before security and other Members of Parliament intervened to separate the pair.
Video footage of the incident shows Piukala falling to the floor after what appeared to be a punch from Lord Tu‘ilakepa, although no injuries were reported.
