Tonga King Tupou V dies at Hong Kong hospital

2012-03-19 06:37:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

HONG KONG (BNO NEWS) -- Tonga's King George Tupou V, whose reform introduced increased democracy to the South Pacific archipelago, died at a hospital in Hong Kong on Sunday after a long history of illnesses, the Tongan government announced on Monday.

A statement from the Tongan government said Tupou V, 63, died at a hospital in Hong Kong at around 3 p.m. local time. The statement said the cause of death was not immediately known, but the king has long suffered various illnesses and last year had a cancerous kidney removed during treatment in the United States.

The Matangi Tonga newspaper in Tonga, citing unidentified sources, said Crown Prince 'Aho'eitu 'Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho was with Tupou V just before he died at the hospital. The king had been rushed to the hospital on early Sunday afternoon but died several hours later, the report said.

Tupou V, who was traditionally regarded as the descendant of the sky god Tangeroa, assumed the throne in September 2006 after the death of his father TÄufa'Ähau Tupou IV. The South Pacific archipelago was shaken later that year by pro-democracy protests which turned violent, leaving at least eight people killed and destroying much of the capital Nuku'alofa.

As a result of the riots, the ceremonial aspects of Tupou V's accession did not take place until July and August 2008 as the king decided to focus on the reconstruction of the capital and advancing democracy. Shortly before being officially crowned, Tupou V announced his plans for early general elections during which citizens, for the first time in its history, were able to choose a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly.

The early general elections took place in November 2010 and were praised by the international community. "You will choose your representative to the parliament and thus the first elected government in our country's long history," Tupou V told his citizens just before the elections. He described it as the 'greatest and most historic day for our kingdom.'

After the death of Tupou V, his younger brother 'Aho'eitu 'Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho will now assume the throne. He previously served as Tonga's Prime Minister for more than six years and was the kingdom's High Commissioner to Australia until Tupou V died on Sunday.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-03-19

My commiserations to the good people of Tonga. The late king often sported a monocle and a top hat. I think the world would be a better place if more world leaders were dandies.

Rest in Peace King Tupou V.