The disturbance in Tongan Parliament this morning has sparked outrage among the public, who are calling on the Speaker to punish MP Johnny Taione for his alleged swearing at MP Piveni Piukala.
The incident occurred shortly after the House began its morning session, when Taione and Piukala were involved in a heated dispute.
Taione is being accused of swearing at Piukala in Tongan, which was overheard on the livestreaming radio broadcast video.
“Ful_’i ki lalo”, the swearing word in Tongan, Taione allegedly called out to Piukala.
As Kaniva News reported earlier, the Chairman of the Whole House Committee has suspended Piukala for an “inappropriate behaviour” after he failed to comply when he was allowed to explain why he claimed the government’s budget was allegedly falsified.
Taione was drawn in after he asked the Chairman to stop Piukala, in which Piukala challenged him to a fight.
The public has been quick to condemn Taione’s behavior, calling it disrespectful and unbecoming of an MP.
They have also called on the Speaker to take action against Taione, with some even calling for his suspension from Parliament.
The Speaker has yet to comment on the incident.
