Lopeti Senituli has seen many changes in Tonga over his lifetime.
The well-known lawyer and political commentator was working within the bowels of Tonga's government in 2010, when long-heralded democratic reforms were introduced to the country after decades of debate.
At the time, it was a history-making exercise that brought power to the people.
But over the past 12 months — and the past two weeks in particular — Mr Senituli sees a worrying trend, what he describes as a "dangerous situation".
"The king is flexing his muscles and saying, 'Look, I have more power than the prime minister and cabinet,'" Mr Senituli said.
"We are going back to the pre-2010 days when everything that was done by the king and his minions escaped public scrutiny."
Royal blood
Tonga, known affectionately as The Kingdom, has the only remaining sovereign monarchy in the region.
It was an absolute monarchy for almost 150 years until 2010 when reforms were introduced, essentially making Tonga more democratic.
The decision came after violent riots in the capital in 2006 calling for change —
But critics say recent moves by the king are testing those reforms.
Last week, Tonga's parliament approved a bill to rename the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to "His Majesty's Diplomatic Services".
The move essentially brings the country's foreign affairs portfolio under the control of the monarch, King Tupou VI. The current foreign affairs minister is Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala, the king's son.
"Those in His Majesty's Diplomatic Services are most likely going to have some noble blood, some royalty blood," Mr Senituli said.
"Everyone else will not be considered because [they] don't have that blue blood. And that's dangerous."
Long live the king
In Tonga, the royal family is almost universally revered.
There are signs pledging allegiance to the king all over the capital, Nuku'alofa, and the vast majority of Tongans view the royal family with a sense of pride.
On the streets of the city, and on social media — where Tongans both in-country and among its vast diaspora have vibrant debates about the direction of the country — the response to the latest political move has been mixed.
A small number have spoken out against it, yet many are too scared to make their opinion known, citing respect for the monarchy — others just don't understand what it means.
And there are also loyalists, who side with the king no matter what. And some Tongans have even suggested the country should return to its pre-2010 days of an absolute monarchy, to bring stability to the country.
Some, such as Tongan lawyer and commentator Teimumu Tapueluelu, are in support on the king's recent move, saying the decision went through parliament and was voted on.
She described the move as a "much-needed" long-term investment of "trust, credibility, and relationship-building" that would "stabilise political disruptions" through any changes in government.
The government itself is labelling it a "technical change".
In a statement, Tonga's attorney-general, Linda Folaumoetu'i, told the ABC that the foreign ministry, under these new reforms, still "maintains the structure of having a minister, secretary, and foreign diplomats and employees".
The ministry will also include a new board — including the king's advisors, his Privy Council, and, "from time to time", anyone the king wishes — that would act as an "oversight body".
But critics, again, say this move is an example of the king overreaching.
In December, Tonga's then-prime minister, Siaosi Sovaleni, resigned from office before facing a no-confidence motion after a string of run-ins with the king.
He was replaced by the current prime minister, 'Aisake Eke.
Mr Senituli described Mr Eke as a "yes man".
"He never says no to what the king says," he said. "And this is proving to be true, and this is how it is playing out."
Tonga is due to hold its national elections in November.
Mr Senituli said the people of Tonga should consider whether they wanted to elect a "yes man" as their leader.
Mr Eke and Tonga's foreign affairs minister, the Crown Prince, were contacted by the ABC for comment.
'Slap on democracy's face'
The chairperson for the country's Pro Democracy Party, Teisa Cokanasiga, has launched a petition to stop the latest move, calling it a major reversal of Tonga's democratic reforms.
"This is a slap on democracy's face," she said.
"We've gone through so much in the past 40 years to have in place the major constitutional amendments [and] more power to the people in parliament, [now] it's like 10 steps forward and 20 steps back."
She said the bill was rushed through parliament without debate.
"It's as if there was already a consensus not to discuss this bill," she said.
"That's deeply concerning when you're talking about huge changes to the form of government and the executive power of the state."
The petition has been lodged to the king, but insiders say it will almost certainly be rejected.
Looking at the country's democratic future, Mr Senituli said he worried about what was next.
"I have great respect for his majesty," he said.
"But I must ask them, please have some thought for the voices of the Tongan people," he said.
