Semisi Sika

Sēmisi Kioa Lafu Sika (born 31 January 1968) is a Tongan politician, businessman, and Member of the Tongan Parliament since 2010. He served as acting prime minister in September 2019, following the death of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva. He is currently leader of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.

Sēmisi Sika
Sika in May 2019
Acting Prime Minister of Tonga
In office
12 September 2019 – 8 October 2019
MonarchTupou VI
Preceded byʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Succeeded byPōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa
Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga
In office
16 January 2017 – 10 October 2019
Prime MinisterʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Preceded byLord Maʻafu
Succeeded bySione Vuna Fa'otusia
Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism
In office
18 April 2016 – 10 October 2019
Prime MinisterʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Preceded by‘Etuate Lavulavu (Infrastructure)
Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa (Tourism)
Succeeded by'Akosita Lavulavu
Member of Parliament
for Tongatapu 2
Assumed office
26 November 2010
Preceded bynone (constituency established)
Personal details
Born (1968-01-31) 31 January 1968
Nationality Tongan
Political partyDemocratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Alma materBrigham Young University

Career and activism

Sika is from Haveluloto, and was educated at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, gaining a Bachelor of Science.[1] Before entering politics he worked as a teacher and travel agent,[1] and ran a takeaway shop and catering firm.[2] He is a longstanding supporter of the democratic movement in Tonga.[3] In 2007 he was one of three people, including Human Rights and Democracy Movement leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, who were prosecuted for their leadership of a protest march in June 2006.[4] He was found not guilty and discharged.[5]

Political career

A member of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, Sika was elected to Parliament in the seat of Tongatapu 2 in the 2010 elections. He was re-elected in the 2014 and became Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House. In April 2016 he was appointed Minister of Tourism and Infrastructure.[6]

Following the 2017 election Sika was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.[7] in July 2019 there were calls for his resignation after he intervened to silence a speech against bullying and sexism at the Miss Pacific pageant in Tonga.[8][9]

He became acting premier following the death of Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva on 12 September 2019.[10] He contested the Premiership, but was defeated by Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa by eight votes to fifteen.[11] Sika continues to lead the DPFI.[12]

References
  1. "Semisi Sika". Parliament of Tonga. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  2. Pesi Fonua (26 November 2010). "Tongan elections: Independent power brokers may hold key to choice of PM". Pacific Scoop. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
  3. "Planet Tonga Exclusive Interview with Semisi Sika". Planet Tonga. 22 November 2006. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
  4. "Tonga protest leaders plead not guilty". Tahiti Presse. 12 February 2007. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
  5. "NOTED TONGA LAWMAKER FINED $196 FOR URGING PROTEST". Pacific Islands Report. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  6. "Semisi Sika appointed Tonga's Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism". Loop Tonga. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  7. "Prime Minister Pōhiva submits his cabinet lineup to the Tongan king". Asia-Pacific Report. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  8. "Auckland pageant queen publicly hits out at bullies". Stuff. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  9. Kalafi Moala (8 July 2019). "Tongan beauty queen's bullying claim prompts calls for deputy PM's resignation". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  10. "Tongan PM 'Akilisi Pohiva dies, aged 78". RNZ. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  11. "Parliament elects Dr Pōhiva Tu'i'onetoa as new PM". The World News. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  12. "Reports of a rift in Tonga's Democratic Party". RNZ. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
Political offices
Preceded by
ʻAkilisi Pōhiva		 Prime Minister of Tonga
(Acting)
2019		 Succeeded by
Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa
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