Harry Tong

Who is Harry Tong?

Dr. Harry Tong, is an I-Kiribati politician with Chinese heritage.

He was first elected to the House of Assembly of Kiribati in 1983, representing the constituency of South Tarawa, the country's capital. He was re-elected in 1987, but resigned from Parliament in 1989, before the end of his term. He returned to Parliament in the 1998 election, and was re-elected in 2003 and in 2007, still representing South Tarawa. Again, however, he resigned before the end of the latter term.

He stood for President in the 1998 election, lost to the incumbent, Teburoro Tito, and became Leader of the Opposition. He was not able to take part in the February 2003 Presidential election, as his party selected Taberannang Timeon to stand in his place. Tito was re-elected. Shortly thereafter, Tong questioned President Tito about the lease deal which enabled the People's Republic of China to maintain a satellite-tracking facility on Tarawa. Tong emphasised that Chinese ambassador Ma Shuxue had admitted having donated €2,000 to a "cooperative society linked to Tito". The resulting controversy brought down the President's newly elected government through a vote of no confidence in Parliament. Tong stood in the ensuing July 2003 Presidential election, representing the Protect the Maneaba party, but came second to his younger brother Anote Tong, of the Pillars of Truth party. The brothers received 43.5 and 47.4% of the vote respectively - 12,457 votes to 13,556. The campaign was contentious, with Anote accusing Harry of "womanising".