FUNAFUTI: The prime minister of Tuvalu says his government activated the Public Order Act because of fears that houses belonging to MPs would be burnt down, reports Radio NZ International.
Under the act, gatherings of more than 10 people have been banned on the main island of Funafuti for the past two weeks.
Willie Telavi says his government acted because of threats made in a letter sent to Finance Minister Lotoala Metia by his constituents in Nukufetau.
The prime minister says the constituents had issued Metia an ultimatum that he resign immediately and said they would do everything within their power to remove him if he did not comply.
Telavi, a former police commissioner in Tuvalu, says there were rumours circulating that the group planned to burn down buildings.
“Rumours that came about that they would burn down the Speaker’s house and the MP’s [Mr Metia] house.”
-- The prime minister of Tuvalu, Willie Telavi.
The government has spent much of today considering whether or not to roll over the regulations but no decision has yet been made public.
Pacific media freedom groups have criticised the government action as having serious implications for freedom of speech and freedom of expression in the country. - Radio NZ International/Pacific Media Watch
Pacific Media Watch
