Tongan journalist Kalafi Moala calls on the Miss Pacific Pageant committee to address concerns over social media allegations.
A senior Tongan journalist has voiced concerns over allegations circulating on social media following the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant held in Honiara on Saturday night.
Kalafi Moala, publisher of Talanoa o Tonga, says the claims have left many Tongans seeking answers from the pageant committee after Miss Tonga was named first runner-up to Miss Samoa. Shortly after the results were announced, social media erupted with allegations of foul play, sparking widespread controversy among pageant followers.
Speaking via Zoom in an interview with Tavuli News, Moala described the situation as troubling, emphasizing the need for transparency.
“Many Tongans who followed the pageant are waiting for answers from the committee. They should have responded already to quell the concerns. It’s been days since the event, and this is poor management on the committee’s part,” Moala said.
He also expressed sympathy for the eight contestants who participated, saying the ongoing controversy risks overshadowing their efforts. Moala urged the pageant organizers to address the issue transparently, warning that failure to do so could harm the competition’s credibility in the future.
Despite the concerns, Moala commended Honiara for successfully hosting the event, which he noted had drawn significant interest from Tonga.
Meanwhile, controversy has deepened following reports that two pageant judges, including Jerry Brunt from Samoa, were issued a stop notice by Solomon Islands authorities. Brunt told Magik FM in Samoa that he and a Vanuatu judge were blocked from leaving the country at Honiara International Airport.
“We checked in at the airport and were blocked by Immigration. We were treated like criminals,” Brunt said in a message read on Corey’s Breakfast on Magik FM.
Additionally with Indepth Solomons, Brunt denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the allegations against him as false.
The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant organizers have faced criticism for not addressing the crisis effectively. However it is understood that an official statement will be released today in response to the ongoing concerns.
The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant is a prestigious regional event that recognizes Pacific Island women for their contributions to regional affairs and their achievements in various fields.
