Semisi Sika

Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika (born 31 January 1968) is a Tongan politician, businessman, and Member of the Tongan Parliament from 2010 to 2021. He served as acting prime minister in September 2019, following the death of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva. He is currently leader of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.

Sēmisi Sika
Sika in May 2019
Acting Prime Minister of Tonga
In office 12 September 2019 – 8 October 2019
Monarch	Tupou VI
Preceded by	ʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Succeeded by	Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa
Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga
In office 16 January 2017 – 10 October 2019
Prime Minister	ʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Preceded by	Lord Maʻafu
Succeeded by	Sione Vuna Fa'otusia
Minister of Infrastructure and Tourism
In office 18 April 2016 – 10 October 2019
Prime Minister	ʻAkilisi Pōhiva
Preceded by	‘Etuate Lavulavu (Infrastructure) Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa (Tourism)
Succeeded by	'Akosita Lavulavu
Member of the Tongan Parliament for Tongatapu 2
In office 26 November 2010 – 18 November 2021
Preceded by	none (constituency established)
Succeeded by	ʻUhilamoelangi Fasi
Personal details
Born	(1968-01-31) 31 January 1968 (age 57)
Nationality	Tongan
Political party	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands
Alma mater	Brigham Young University–Hawaii

Career and activism

Sika is from Haveluloto, and was educated at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, gaining a Bachelor of Science.^[1] Before entering politics he worked as a teacher and travel agent,^[1] and ran a takeaway shop and catering firm.^[2] He is a longstanding supporter of the democratic movement in Tonga.^[3] 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.^[4] He was found not guilty and discharged.^[5]

Political career

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.^[6]

Following the 2017 election Sika was appointed Deputy Prime Minister.^[7] 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.^[8][9]

He became acting premier following the death of Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva on 12 September 2019.^[10] He contested the Premiership, but was defeated by Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa by eight votes to fifteen.^[11] Sika continues to lead the DPFI.^[12]

In December 2020 he submitted a motion of no-confidence in Prime Minister Tuʻiʻonetoa.^[13]

He contested the 2021 Tongan general election, but was unsuccessful.^[14]