Semisi Sika

Sika is from Haveluloto, and was educated at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, gaining a Bachelor of Science.{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.gov.to/members-of-parliament/peoples/139-semisi-sika |title=Semisi Sika |publisher=Parliament of Tonga |date= |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327121806/https://www.parliament.gov.to/members-of-parliament/peoples/139-semisi-sika |archivedate=27 March 2020 |accessdate=20 June 2020}} Before entering politics he worked as a teacher and travel agent, and ran a takeaway shop and catering firm.{{cite web |url=http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/11/tongan-election-independent-power-brokers-may-hold-key-to-choice-of-pm/ |title=Tongan elections: Independent power brokers may hold key to choice of PM |author=Pesi Fonua |publisher=Pacific Scoop |date=2010-11-26 |accessdate=2010-12-02}} He is a longstanding supporter of the democratic movement in Tonga.{{cite web |url=http://forums.planet-tonga.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=29046 |title=Planet Tonga Exclusive Interview with Semisi Sika |publisher=Planet Tonga |date=2006-11-22 |accessdate=2010-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715091824/http://forums.planet-tonga.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=29046 |archive-date=2011-07-15 |url-status=dead}} In 2007 he was one of three people, including Human Rights and Democracy Movement leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, who were prosecuted for their leadership of a protest march in June 2006.{{cite web |url=http://en.tahitipresse.pf/2007/02/tonga-protest-leaders-plead-not-guilty/ |title=Tonga protest leaders plead not guilty |publisher=Tahiti Presse |date=2007-02-12 |accessdate=2010-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723093558/http://en.tahitipresse.pf/2007/02/tonga-protest-leaders-plead-not-guilty/ |archive-date=2011-07-23 |url-status=dead}} He was found not guilty and discharged.{{cite web |url=http://www.pireport.org/articles/2007/05/08/noted-tonga-lawmaker-fined-196-urging-protest |title=NOTED TONGA LAWMAKER FINED $196 FOR URGING PROTEST |publisher=Pacific Islands Report |date=8 May 2007 |accessdate=22 June 2020}}

A member of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, Sika was elected to Parliament in the seat of Tongatapu 2 in the 2010 elections. He was re-elected in the 2014 and became Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House. In April 2016 he was appointed Minister of Tourism and Infrastructure.{{cite web |url=http://www.looptonga.com/content/semisi-sika-appointed-tonga%E2%80%99s-minister-infrastructure-and-tourism |title=Semisi Sika appointed Tonga's Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism |publisher=Loop Tonga |date=20 April 2016 |accessdate=20 June 2020}}

Following the 2017 election Sika was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.{{cite web |url=https://asiapacificreport.nz/2018/01/04/prime-minister-pohiva-submits-his-cabinet-lineup-to-the-tongan-king/ |title=Prime Minister Pōhiva submits his cabinet lineup to the Tongan king |publisher=Asia-Pacific Report |date=4 January 2018 |accessdate=20 June 2020}} in July 2019 there were calls for his resignation after he intervened to silence a speech against bullying and sexism at the Miss Pacific pageant in Tonga.{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/beauty/114046082/auckland-pageant-queen-publicly-hits-out-at-bullies |title=Auckland pageant queen publicly hits out at bullies |publisher=Stuff |date=6 July 2019 |accessdate=20 June 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=12247476 |title=Tongan beauty queen's bullying claim prompts calls for deputy PM's resignation |author=Kalafi Moala |publisher=New Zealand Herald |date=8 July 2019 |accessdate=20 June 2020}}

He became acting premier following the death of Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva on 12 September 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/398621/tongan-pm-akilisi-pohiva-dies-aged-78 |title=Tongan PM 'Akilisi Pohiva dies, aged 78 |publisher=RNZ |date=12 September 2019 |accessdate=12 September 2019}} He contested the Premiership, but was defeated by Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa by eight votes to fifteen.{{Cite news |url=https://theworldnews.net/to-news/parliament-elects-dr-pohiva-tu-i-onetoa-as-new-pm |title=Parliament elects Dr Pōhiva Tu‘i‘onetoa as new PM |date=26 September 2019 |website=The World News |access-date=2019-10-27}} Sika continues to lead the DPFI.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/414934/reports-of-a-rift-in-tonga-s-democratic-party |title=Reports of a rift in Tonga's Democratic Party |publisher=RNZ |date=23 April 2020 |accessdate=20 June 2020}}

In December 2020 he submitted a motion of no-confidence in Prime Minister Tuʻiʻonetoa.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/432824/tonga-deputy-pm-resigns-amidst-no-confidence-motion |title=Tonga Deputy PM resigns amidst no confidence motion |publisher=RNZ |date=14 December 2020 |accessdate=14 December 2020}}

He contested the 2021 Tongan general election, but was unsuccessful.{{cite web |url=https://matangitonga.to/2021/11/19/tonga-elects-all-male-parliament-nine-new-peoples-reps |title=Tonga elects all-male parliament with nine new People's Reps |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=18 November 2021 |access-date=18 November 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118122442/https://matangitonga.to/2021/11/19/tonga-elects-all-male-parliament-nine-new-peoples-reps |archive-date=18 November 2021}}

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{{s-non|reason=Constituency Established}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament
for Tongatapu 2|years=2010–2021}}

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{{s-bef|before=‘Etuate Lavulavu (Infrastructure)
Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa (Tourism)}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism|years=2016–2019}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga|years=2017–2019}}

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{{s-bef|before=ʻAkilisi Pōhiva}}

{{s-ttl|title=Prime Minister of Tonga
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{{s-aft|after=Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa}}

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{{s-bef|before=‘Akilisi Pōhiva}}

{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands|years=2019–present|alongside= Siaosi Pōhiva}}

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{{Prime Ministers of Tonga}}

{{Foreign Ministers of Tonga}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sika, Semisi Kioa Lafu}}

Category:1968 births

Category:Living people

Category:Tongan politicians

Category:Prime ministers of Tonga

Category:Deputy prime ministers of Tonga

Category:Members of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga

Category:Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands politicians

Category:Tongan businesspeople

Category:People from Tongatapu

Category:Brigham Young University–Hawaii alumni

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