Fineasi Funaki (1966 – 13 November 2010)[1] was a Tongan politician and cabinet Minister. He was a member of the Human Rights and Democracy Movement.
Viliami Tangi | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Tourism | |
| In office 17 May 2006 – September 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Feleti Sevele |
| Succeeded by | Feleti Sevele |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1966 |
| Died | 13 November 2010 Suva, Fiji |
Funaki was educated at Tonga College and the Tongan teachers' training college, before studying at Brigham Young University–Hawaii.[2] He was elected People's Representative for Ha'apai at the 2005 election. He was appointed Minister of Tourism in May 2006,[3] and was reappointed after the 2008 election. In January 2008 he was accused of corruption after depositing a cheque from the Chinese Embassy to the Ministry into his personal bank account.[4] A subsequent report from the Auditor-General found that he had broken the law by depositing a cheque from the Chinese Embassy into his personal bank account and recommended that he be asked to resign.[5] Prime Minister Feleti Sevele refused the recommendation of asking for Funaki's resignation, blaming the misappropriation of funds on inexperience,[6] but Funaki forfeited his salary for three months and was forced to apologise.[7]
Funaki resigned from Cabinet in September 2010 due to ill-health.[1] He died in Suva while undergoing treatment later that year.[1]
Honours edit
- National honours
Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III, Grand Cross (31 July 2008).[8]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Fineasi Funaki (44) dies in Fiji". Matangi Tonga. 16 November 2010. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
- ^ "Church member in charge of tourism in Tonga". Church News. 12 August 2006. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "A cabinet reshuffle takes place in Tonga". RNZ. 17 May 2006. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Calls for Tonga tourism minister to step aside amid corruption probe". RNZ. 15 January 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Auditor General's report in Tonga says Minister of Tourism broke the law". RNZ. 21 March 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Lack of experience causes Tongan minister to break law, says government". RNZ. 25 March 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Tongan minister apologises for breaking law". RNZ. 28 March 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
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