Kamuta Latasi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable Sir Kamuta Latasi KCMG OBE MP
Latasi in 2012
4th Prime Minister of Tuvalu
In office 10 December 1993 – 24 December 1996
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor-General	Tomu Sione Tulaga Manuella
Preceded by	Bikenibeu Paeniu
Succeeded by	Bikenibeu Paeniu
Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu
In office 24 December 2010 – 4 March 2014
Prime Minister	Willy Telavi Enele Sopoaga
Preceded by	Isaia Italeli
Succeeded by	Otinielu Tausi
In office 16 August 2006 – 29 September 2010
Prime Minister	Apisai Ielemia
Preceded by	Otinielu Tausi
Succeeded by	Isaia Italeli
Acting Governor-General of Tuvalu
In office 19 March 2010 – 16 April 2010
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Apisai Ielemia
Preceded by	Sir Filoimea Telito
Succeeded by	Sir Iakoba Italeli
Personal details
Born	4 September 1936 (1936-09-04) (age 88) Laulii, Western Samoa
Spouse	Naama Maheu Latasi

Sir Kamuta Latasi (born 4 September 1936) is an important political leader from the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu. He comes from the Funafuti atoll. Sir Kamuta was first elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu in 1992.

He served as the 4th Prime Minister and foreign minister from 1993 to 1996. Later, he became the Speaker of Parliament. He held this role from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2010 to 2014.

Sir Kamuta Latasi's Time as Prime Minister

Becoming Tuvalu's Leader

In 1993, Tuvalu had a general election. The results were very close. The members of parliament were split between the current prime minister, Bikenibeu Paeniu, and a former prime minister, Tomasi Puapua. Because of this tie, the governor-general called for another election.

This second election happened on 25 November 1993. After this, the parliament chose Kamuta Latasi as prime minister. He was elected on 10 December 1993. He won with seven votes, while the other group, led by Bikenibeu Paeniu, had five votes.

Leaving Office

Kamuta Latasi was prime minister until 24 December 1996. He resigned after a "motion of no confidence" was passed. This means that enough members of parliament voted that they no longer supported him as prime minister. After his resignation, Bikenibeu Paeniu was elected prime minister for a second time. In the election of 1998, Sir Kamuta Latasi lost his seat in parliament.

The Flag of Tuvalu

During his time as prime minister, Latasi changed the Flag of Tuvalu. He removed the Union Jack, replacing it with the flag shown here. The original flag was brought back in April 1997.

One big discussion during Sir Kamuta Latasi's time as prime minister was about the design of Tuvalu's national flag. The flag at that time included a small British Union Jack symbol.

Sir Kamuta Latasi decided to change the flag. The new design did not include the Union Jack. His supporters believed this change showed that Tuvalu was moving further away from its colonial past. However, this new flag did not last long. When Bikenibeu Paeniu became prime minister again, he changed the flag back to its original design.

Personal Life

Sir Kamuta Latasi is a landowner and has been involved in politics for a long time. His wife, Naama Maheu Latasi, was also a member of the Parliament of Tuvalu. She served from 1989 to 1997. Sadly, she passed away on 16 March 2012.

Serving as Speaker of Parliament

First Term as Speaker

From 2006 to 2010, Sir Kamuta Latasi served as the Speaker of Parliament. The Speaker is like the referee in parliament, making sure debates follow the rules. He was re-elected to parliament for his area, Funafuti, in the 2010 general election.

Second Term as Speaker

Sir Kamuta Latasi was not the Speaker for a short time when Maatia Toafa was prime minister. However, on 25 December 2010, Willy Telavi was elected prime minister. He won with eight votes against Enele Sopoaga's seven votes. After this, Sir Kamuta Latasi was appointed Speaker again.

Prime Minister Telavi later lost his majority in parliament. This happened after a member of parliament, Lotoala Metia, passed away. Prime Minister Telavi delayed calling a special election to fill the empty seat. The opposition group took legal action, and the High Court ordered the prime minister to hold the election. The special election in Nukufetau in 2013 was won by a candidate from the opposition.

A Difficult Time in Parliament

On 30 July 2013, the opposition tried to propose a "no-confidence motion" against Prime Minister Willy Telavi. This motion would have shown that parliament no longer supported the prime minister. However, Sir Kamuta Latasi, as Speaker, did not allow a debate on this motion.

This led to a difficult political situation in Tuvalu. The governor-general, Iakoba Italeli, then used his special powers. He ordered Prime Minister Telavi's removal and appointed Enele Sopoaga as the temporary prime minister. The governor-general also ordered parliament to meet on 2 August to vote on the no-confidence motion.

On 2 August 2013, Willy Telavi faced the no-confidence motion again. Eight members voted for the motion, four voted against it, and one person did not vote. Sir Kamuta Latasi chose not to vote on the motion.

On 4 March 2014, Sir Kamuta Latasi was replaced as Speaker by Otinielu Tausi. Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga explained that the government needed a Speaker who agreed more with their views. After this, Sir Kamuta Latasi sat with the opposition members in parliament.

Awards and Recognition

Sir Kamuta Latasi has received several important awards. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1980. This award recognizes his services to the community.

In 2007, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG). This is a very high honor for his contributions to the community. He received his official badge for this award in January 2008.

Acting Governor-General

In 2010, Sir Kamuta Latasi served as the acting Governor-General of Tuvalu. This was for a short period between the terms of Sir Filoimea Telito and Sir Iakoba Italeli. The Governor-General represents the King or Queen in Tuvalu.

Recent Political Activity

Sir Kamuta Latasi and Kausea Natano were both re-elected in the 2015 general election. Sir Kamuta Latasi resigned from his position as a Member of Parliament on 17 October 2018.

See also

• Politics of Tuvalu