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Paula Piveni Piukala is a Tongan politician and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. He is a member of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.
Paula Piukala | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Tongan Parliament for Tongatapu 7 | |
| Assumed office 3 November 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Sione Sangster Saulala |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands |
Piukala works in the information technology industry, including as a computer systems manager for Shoreline Group. In March 2005 he became a whistleblower against Shoreline, alleging financial mismanagement, falsified audits, and exorbitant salaries paid to the company's executives, which included Crown Prince Tupouto‘a (later George Tupou V).[1] The allegations led to a court case and protests against Shoreline from the Human Rights and Democracy Movement.[1] He later worked as director of Tonga Cable.[2]
At the 2021 Tongan general election he sought the PTOA nomination for Tongatapu 7, but a factional dispute inside the PTOA saw him lose to Sione Sangster Saulala.[3] He contested the election anyway, but lost.[4] Following the election he challenged Saulala's election in court,[5] resulting in the latter's election being voided for bribery.[6][7][8] Piukala was elected in the subsequent 2022 Tongatapu 7 by-election.[9][10]
In February 2024 he was suspended from parliament for seven days after offending Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni during a heated debate on Lulutai Airlines.[11] The suspension was later reduced, and Piukala resumed his seat on 26 February.[12]
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