71. Is it specified that a particular institution(s) is responsible for investigating money laundering that relates to political parties, candidates and elected officials?

The Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act 2000 has three key objectives: * to implement specific measures to detect and deter money laundering and to facilitate investigation and prosecution of the related offences; * to respond to the threat posed by organized crime by providing law enforcement officials with the information they need to deprive criminals of the proceeds of their criminal activities; and * to support international efforts to fight multinational crime

 Financial institutions and cash dealers are required by the Act to report suspicious transactions and establish record-keeping and compliance regimes. The Act also established a Transactions Reporting Authority (TRA) and by order dated 5 July 2001 the Attorney-General, with the approval of Cabinet, appointed the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) as the TRA.

Source: Tonga Global Integrity Report 2008; Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, 2002;  TRANSACTION REPORTING AUTHORITY ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING GUIDELINE NO 1 OF 4 BACKGROUND
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