Tonga's Legislative Assembly at its temporary location in the Tongan National Cultural Centre Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
It comes in the midst of a standoff between the country's King Tupou VI and Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni Hu'akavameiliku.
Heated arguments disrupts Tonga's Parliament
Tongatapu 7 MP Piveni Piukala and Vava'u Nobles Representative Lord Tu'ilakepa were suspended after a quarrel escalated into a screaming match between the two MPs.
Lord Tu'ilakepa had accused Piukala of conspiring with former Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva in undermining the King's authority, an allegation which Piukala denied.
In the fiery exchange, Piukala threatened to physically assault Tu'ilakepa.
Legislative Assembly Speaker Lord Fakafanua switched off the microphones and ordered a police sergeant to escort the pair outside.
Earlier, Lord Fakafanua had also switched the microphones off when outbursts and heated exchanges occurred between Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku and Piukala.
The latter had raised allegations of financial mismanagement against the prime minister in relation to Tonga's national Lulutai Airlines.
Piukala also criticised Hu'akavameiliku for his ongoing stand-off with the King.
The PM had informed MPs that he would be having an audience with Tupou VI and urged them to be patient. The PM is expected to travel to the remote Niua Islands to meet the King.
On Monday, the Speaker Lord Fakafanua also lost his patience and lashed out at two MPs - Eu'a Noble representative Lord Nuku and Ha'apai MP Moʻale Finau for trying to debate the standoff between the King and Prime Minister - an issue that was not on the agenda.
Tonga Parliament Speaker Lord Fakafanua shows New Zealand Speaker Trevor Mallard the Speaker's chair at Tonga's Legislative Assembly Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
The standoff
It started last month when the government received a letter from the Privy Council saying the King had lost confidence in ministerial portfolios held by Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku (Minister of Defence) and Foreign Minister and Tourism Minister Fekita 'Utoikamanu.
The private letter was leaked in the public domain.
In response to the letter, the PM released a public statement issued to the Privy Council, rebuking the King's expression and stated that it was unconstitutional for the King to revoke ministerial (upon the advice of the Attorney General).
While many Tongans have voiced their support for Hu'akavameiliku on social media, in Parliament it is a different story.
He finds himself increasingly isolated with all nine noble representatatives in Parliament calling on him to give up the ministerial portfolios in respect of the King's wishes.
King Tupou VI receives Tonga's new Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, after presenting the Royal Warrant of Appointment for the PM at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa on Tuesday 28 December 2021. Sovaleni was elected as PM by the new parliament, following Tonga's November 18 general election. Photo: Pesi Fonua / Matangi Tonga Online
People's representative Piveni Piukala told RNZ Pacific that he and others were also unhappy with the way the PM publicly challenged the King and said the dispute had to be quickly resolved.
"The reason why the whole week was heated is because I want to push the importance of sorting our relationship and significance with the King," Piukala said.
"We have to sort our relationship with the monarch before we continue. After all, there is no law that can be passed until the King signs it. To me, we look stupid to continue ignore that very issue."
RNZ Pacific has contacted Hu'akavameiliku for comment.