TO·Tonga
Dr Taniela Fusimalohi
Lands Minister
active
LINKED SCANDALS
0
LEGAL EVENTS
0
RESEARCH
15 days ago
SANCTIONS
CLEAR
Deep research · Exaupdated 15 days ago
Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi is the Minister of Lands, Survey, Planning and Natural Resources of Tonga. In June 2026, the Tongan Supreme Court found him guilty of electoral bribery under the Electoral Act for donating a Starlink satellite terminal to his constituency during the 2025 general election campaign. While he was convicted of this electoral offense, the court acquitted him of separate allegations regarding road works and town hall construction due to insufficient evidence.
He has applied for a stay of the decision pending an appeal, which allows him to remain in his cabinet position and parliamentary seat while the legal process continues. Separately, Dr. Fusimalohi faced public criticism from the Speaker of Parliament in May 2026 for missing his official swearing-in ceremony twice due to overseas travel.
Citations
Third Cabinet minister convicted in Tonga election bribery case | RNZ
www.rnz.co.nz
'Eua 11 MP guilty of bribery - breaching electoral laws
tbc.to · 2026-06-10
Lands Minister found guilty of electoral bribery, court ruling may affect political future | Tonga News – Talanoa o Tonga
talanoaotonga.to · 2026-06-09
Globe‑trotting controversy resurfaces: Speaker concerned as Lands Minister misses oath for second time | Kaniva Tonga News
kanivatonga.co.nz · 2026-05-01
Minister of Lands found guilty of breaching electoral law | Kaniva Tonga News
kanivatonga.co.nz · 2026-06-01
Tonga’s political crisis deepens, third minister guilty of election bribes - Islands Business
islandsbusiness.com · 2026-06-09
Tonga Election Scandal: third cabinet minister found guilty of bribery
pmn.co.nz
Third minister in Tonga guilty of election bribes | PINA
pina.com.fj · 2026-06-10
Linked scandals← back
no scandals on record.