New PM rushed home feeling ill

NUKU’ALOFA – Matangi Tonga reports that Tonga’s new Prime Minister, ‘Akilisi Pohiva, was rushed home by his family shortly after the prime ministerial election

, his family telling local media he was feeling “really sick”.

Pohiva on Monday defeated independent MP, former deputy prime minister, Samiu Vaipulu, in a secret parliamentary vote.

Matangi Tonga reports Pohiva’s son in law, Mateni Tapueluelu, telling media waiting outside parliament house that Pohiva was unable to make any comment, as they needed to take him home to rest.

“He really can’t talk right now. He is really sick and might collapse or faint somewhere. We really need to take him home. Maybe tomorrow please, I’m sorry,” said Mateni, who is also the People’s Representative for Tongatapu #4.