Tonga's Public Service Association is calling on the government to stop the sale of the country's two orbital slots.
Tonga's Public Service Association is calling on the government to stop the sale of the country's two orbital slots.
A cabinet decision in May confirmed the approval of the outright sale of Tonga's satellite orbital slots 1340E and 1380E.
Indira Moala has more.
"The PSA has appealed to the Prime Minister Tu'ivakano to reverse the cabinet decision. It is also calling for a review of the constitution and relevant legislation to stop government from selling state assets without approval by parliament. The association's Secretary General Mele 'Amanaki says the orbital slots are national assets and parliament should have been consulted. But Keith Moala, one of Tongasat's former satellite systems engineers, says there shouldn't be an issue because orbital slots cannot belong to any country indefinitely. He says they are international assets that governments can apply to use for a limited time. Ms Amanaki believes Tonga has rights to the orbital slots indefinitely. Neither the Prime Minister nor Tongasat could be reached for comment."
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