Samoa’s Parliament has been formally dissolved, and an early election is set to take place within three months.

After months of political instability and two motions of no confidence, Prime Minister Fiāme Naomi Mata’afa said she would call for the dissolution of Parliament if cabinet did not support her government’s budget.

MPs from both the opposition Human Rights Protection Party and Fiāme’s former FAST party joined forces to defeat the budget with the final vote coming in 34 against, 16 in support and 2 abstentions.

Fiāme went to the Head of State and advised him to dissolve Parliament, and her advice was accepted.

This all came from a period of political turmoil that kicked off shortly after New Year.

A split in the FAST Party in January saw Fiāme remove FAST Party chairman La’auli Leuatea Schmidt and several FAST ministers from her cabinet.

In turn, he ejected her from FAST, leaving her leading a minority government.

Minority government defeated
Earlier this year, over a two-week period, Fiāme and her minority government defeated two back-to-back leadership challenges.

On February 25, with La’auli’s help, she defeated a no-confidence vote moved by Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, 34 votes to 15.

Then on March 6, this time with Tuilaepa’s help, she defeated a challenge mounted by La’auli, 32 votes to 19.

Parliament now enters caretaker mode, until the election and the formation of a new government.

Samoa’s Electoral Commissioner said his office has filed an affidavit to the Supreme Court, seeking legal direction and extra time to complete the electoral roll ahead of an early election.

A hearing on this is set to be held on Wednesday.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa has advised Samoa’s head of state that it is necessary to dissolve Parliament so the country can move to an election.

This follows the bill for the budget not getting enough support for a first reading on yesterday, and Fiame announcing she would therefore seek an early election.

Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II has accepted Fiame’s advice and a formal notice will be duly gazetted to confirm the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly.

Parliament will go into caretaker mode, and the Cabinet will have the general direction and control of the existing government until the first session of the Legislative Assembly following dissolution.

Fiame, who has led a minority government since being ousted from her former FAST party in January, finally conceded defeat on the floor of Parliament yesterday morning after her government’s 2025 Budget was voted down.

MPs from both the opposition Human Rights Protection Party and Fiame’s former FAST party joined forces to defeat the budget with the final vote coming in 34 against, 16 in support and two abstentions.

Defeated motions
Tuesday was the Samoan Parliament’s first sitting since back-to-back no-confidence motions were moved — unsuccessfully — against prime minister Fiame.

In January, Fiame removed her FAST Party chairman La’auli Leuatea Schmidt and several FAST ministers from her Cabinet.

In turn, La’auli ejected her from the FAST Party, leaving her leading a minority government.

Her former party had been pushing for an early election, including via legal action.

The election is set to be held within three months.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

When Australia’s second-longest ever serving Prime Minister faced a complete wipeout at the national elections after 10 years in power — even being voted out of his own seat — he realised that he had lost but only as part of a process much bigger than he was.

It was not the sheer scale of his loss that was extraordinary.

All political careers end in tragedy, as the saying goes. But it was the belief he displayed in ideals more important than his own self-interest.

“This is a wonderful exercise in democracy,” John Howard said at a small ceremony at a local primary school held to acknowledge that he had been voted out by the constituents whom he had represented for more than three decades.

“You can count on the fingers of one hand the countries which have remained democracies for over 100 years.

“It is a privilege to be part of that process.”

Howard’s end, and the steely manner in which he went out to meet it, is a lesson in principled graciousness and other attributes Samoa’s Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) has failed to display since losing the election.

Most noticeably lacking is a sense of pride in democracy being part of our nation’s character and respect for its rules being a form of patriotism.

Instead, we have seen in Samoa a caretaker Prime Minister, Tuila’epa Dr Sa’ilele Malielegaoi who lost the election, and continues to lose seats by the day, refuse to even contemplate defeat.

He has openly defied (it comes right after “decline” in the dictionary, Tuila’epa, should you need help to check the grammatical correctness) the voters, the judiciary and now ultimately the nation because he is unwilling to look past beyond his own seat in power and towards the better interests and future of this nation.

In doing so he has actively contrived to plunge this nation into a constitutional crisis and disparaged all the democratic institutions which our country must respect for it to function.

Remarkably, he has shown very little care for being seen plainly and for what he is in this whole national crisis: a stubborn and self-regarding roadblock to process.

In the past three months a stream of excuses have emanated from the caretaker Prime Minister’s mouth about who is to blame for our current constitutional predicament.

On Tuesday he was attempting to blame the courts for the nation’s prolonged political uncertainty; a favourite target of his; and another critical democratic institution.

“This whole process has been prolonged because they [Supreme Court] had added back ends to the decisions they have delivered after the elections,” he said.

“For instance, the decision they delivered on the ten per cent for women representation in Parliament.”

Well, that is simply not the case. The Prime Minister has tried to hide behind the claim that only until the question of female representation in the Parliament has been settled can it convene.

The courts have ruled twice now that there is no grounding in fact whatsoever for his statements.

But as his pronouncements have become increasingly divorced from reality and even ridiculous he has shown next to care.

All the while as his numbers on the floor of Parliament are dwindling. He is perhaps hoping that most voters don’t pay attention or care enough about politics to let him get away with this political double-dealing.

Ultimately Tuila’epa has shown that he does not conceive of Samoa as a democracy; he sees it as an island on which he and the HRPP are meant to rule.

That explains the extreme casualness with which he walked into his election defeat at the hands of the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party – and his seeming inability to face up to the truth after.

But as a story on Tuesday’s front page made clear, the ability to accept defeat was a precondition of any functioning democracy (Samoa risks decline into dictatorship: Harvard professor).

This is certainly a serious democratic crisis, and the behavior of both the Prime Minister and the Head of State can certainly be deemed anti-democratic,” said Dr Steven Levitsky.

“It is essential in a democracy that losers accept defeat and not seek to remain in power via other means. What the HRPP has done is similar to Donald Trump’s reaction to defeat in the US, which has weakened US democracy.”

Luckily for America its democratic institutions were strong enough to withstand a coordinated attack on accepting its election, as the institutions and gatekeepers of that republic proved they could not be corrupted by political rants from a man who had just lost an election and, like that, had his power next to nearly instantly evaporate.

“Any time the incumbent party loses and refuses to accept defeat and seeks to remain in power by other means, democracy is in crisis,” the professor continued.

“That is Samoa today.”

But as he makes clear, Samoa is on the downward slide toward — but has not yet reached — the depths of political dictatorship.

“It may be too soon to call the PM a dictator and the regime a dictatorship. Samoa is still mid-crisis,” Dr Levitsky said.

“But if the PM and Head of State persist and are successful in thwarting this election, democracy will have been (at least temporarily) derailed.”

“It would be at that moment that Samoa will have slid into dictatorship, he said: “If the PM remains in power indefinitely despite losing an election, then I think you can say Samoa has slid into dictatorship.”

Indeed. The worrying thing for Samoa is that neither Tuilaepa, nor the various officials he has used as shields in his ongoing battle to frustrate court rulings, have shown the slightest inclination to avoid such a slide.

These are indeed dark days for Samoa. At nearly 60 years of age, we stand on the precipice of backsliding from our extraordinary achievement to have thrown off colonial shackles and become a successful democracy.

All that stands on the edge of being destroyed if the caretaker Prime Minister continues to act as if he cannot hear court rulings. Or if, as seems like an increasingly course of action, the Head of State convenes Parliament on August 2 and despite a FAST majority, rules that no government can be formed before sending the nation back to the polls.

That too, though it will involve a fresh election, will be a killer blow to our reputation as one of the world’s democracies: finding ways to throw out the people’s verdicts and starting again fresh with the hope of securing another is utterly undemocratic.

And voters could never trust that those in charge of the country will honour their wishes again.

The caretaker Prime Minister, a man fond of bombastic rhetoric, has shown little evidence that he has contemplated the shattering fact that the people of Samoa have voted and decided that no longer want him to run the country.

Until he comes to peace with that fact and realises that by acting as he has he imperils the future of this nation — not only for now but for generations — but also shows contempt for its history.

This Samoa Observer editorial, 14 July 2021, is republished with permission.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Samoa’s HRPP party — the country’s caretaker government — has now lost six seats since the April 9 general election, with eight byelections to come.

The incoming FAST Party government holds 26 seats to the HRPP’s 19.

FAST, which won the election but has been stymied in its efforts to assume power by the HRPP, continues to hold a majority of the 51 seats in the Parliament.

The caretaker government has lost six seats during the electoral petitions while a further two are to be contested again at the agreement of candidates.

Today, as the electoral petitions continue to come before the court, three HRPP candidates who had won their seats, agreed to resign, ahead of facing the judge, and so force byelections.

The HRPP’s Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has been pushing for a new general election to solve the political impasse since he first prompted the crisis by refusing to step down.

Meanwhile, a Supreme Court hearing set to determine if Tuila’epa will face criminal contempt proceedings has been delayed.

Tuilaepa, the attorney-general, Parliament’s former speaker and its clerk were to appear for preventing Parliament from convening on May 24 as the court ordered.

The court is to probe the roles played by the four in defying the May 23 order that the 17th Parliament convene the next day and members be sworn in.

The contempt citation was brought by FAST, but its lawyers today sought a delay in proceedings.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Samoa’s Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal by the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) against the Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned the appointment of a sixth woman Member of Parliament, Ali’imalemanu Alofa Tu’u’au.

This paves the way for the sitting of Parliament (Fale Fono) on Monday as proclaimed by the Head of State.

The decision by the panel of three judges – Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tula Warren and Justice Fepulea’i Ameperosa Roma – was delivered by the Chief Justice, Satiu Simativa Perese.

Proclamation has been issued be Head of State to convene Parliament on 24th May 2021.

Viia le Ali’i ua maua se iuga lelei.
Now to the oath ceremony. pic.twitter.com/reeyjA7WGn

— Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson (@lagipoiva) May 21, 2021

The decision

• The applications by the first and second appellants for a stay of execution of the judgment of the Supreme Court dated 17 May 2021 are dismissed;
• Costs are awarded in the amount of $5000 against the first and second appellants in favour of the respondents, to be paid within 30 days of the date of judgment.

The appellants were Ali’imalemanu Alofa Tu’u’au and the Office of the Electoral Commissioner.

The respondents were the Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST Party) and Alataua West MP Seu’ula Ioane, who defeated Alimalemanu in the April 9 election.

After the decision was delivered, FAST deputy leader La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao paid tribute to FAST’s legal team and upport from across the country.

He also acknowledged HRPP and caretaker Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

The Head of State, His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II has issued the writ to declare the official opening of XVII Parliament on Monday next week. https://t.co/D9iYHWXs3X

— Samoa Observer (@samoaobserver) May 21, 2021

‘We’re after all one family’
“Despite the differences in our beliefs and difficulties we faced as we went through these challenges, we after all are one family,” said La’auli.

He also acknowledged the Head of State for convening Parliament (Fale Fono) on Monday.

As seen in the court house since last Monday, after every FAST victory in court, the supporters burst out in song, hymns and prayers of thanksgiving outside court.

The victory now confirms the FAST party’s majority in Parliament and launches major evelopments in Samoa’s modern political history:

• Samoa will now have its first female Prime Minister in Fiame Naomi Mataafa as the FAST Party leader; and
• The FAST victory unseats one of the longest serving Prime Ministers, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi who held the office for 22 years in his Human Rights Protection Party’s (HRPP) 40-year rule.

Lagi Keresoma is a Talamua Online journalist.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Samoa’s Head of State has agreed to convene Parliament in order to swear in the members elected in April’s general election after weeks of political deadlock.

Leaders of the majority FAST party – which won 26 of 51 seats – met with Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II today to request that Parliament be called on Friday.

FAST has advised the Head of State of their majority, and the party’s intention to form a government once Parliament meets.

The caretaker Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) government that has been in power for four decades is attempting to delay Parliament, claiming electoral legal challenges need to be settled first.

However, FAST leader Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said the Head of State had agreed to convene Parliament, although he has yet to confirm a date.

Fiame acknowledged Tuimaleali’ifano’s critical role in calling Parliament together, which would then allow elected representatives to get on with their roles to govern.

The HRPP is challenging a Supreme Court ruling issued on Monday which has opened the way for FAST to form a government.

This challenge will be heard tomorrow.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Samoa is to hear on Monday whether fresh elections will go ahead next week.

The Supreme Court heard challenges yesterday to the new ballot called last week by the Head of State, Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II.

Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese said the hearing would test the extent of the powers held by the Head of State – O le Ao o le Malo.

Tuimaleali’ifano called the vote on the advice of the caretaker Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Prime Minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, purportedly to break the 26-seat each deadlock with the newcomer Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party.

FAST challenged the new ballot, contending Tuila’epa’s advice meant the Head of State decreed a course of action which deviated from a process set out in the constitution.

FAST’s co-counsel at the court hearing, Taulapapa Brenda Heather-Latu, said it was “a substantive hearing of the constitutional challenge… and a decision will be given at 3 o’clock on Monday afternoon”.

Also on Monday, the court will hear a separate FAST party challenge to the validity of the electoral office’s awarding of an extra women’s seat to the HRPP, which created the current deadlock.

Additional seat at issue
If both decisions find in favour of FAST, according to Taulapapa, a former Attorney-General, the additional seat would then be removed.

“Which means they [FAST] can go to the clerk and the Head of State and ask the Parliament to be convened, and they have the majority to form government,” she said.

However, if the court finds against FAST in the electoral matter but in their favour in the case of the additional women’s seat “then we’re actually back at 26-25 for FAST” noted Taulapapa.

“And I guess we’ll have to have another election next Friday.”

However the snap-election in that situation would become the subject of a further challenge, she added.

“Because it does not meet any of the normal requirements for a general election.”

Taulapapa contended that a snap-election being called when legal challenges had not yet been heard and exhausted “disallowed the votes of 89,000 Samoan people”.

Unlawful, say submissions
“In the submissions that we made before the court today that was unlawful,” she said.

“And it effectively pre-empted the ability of parliament and all those elected representatives to sit down and find out if there was someone that had the majority who could form government and become our new prime minister.”

Samoa’s constitution prescribes a process to be followed after election results are called and Taulapapa said this had been forsaken.

“The forming of government is a function of the elected representatives. It’s not a function of a Head of State and it’s not a function of an un-elected official.”

Meanwhile, the caretaker HRPP government has made Thursday and Friday public holidays in anticipation of the new ballot. Pre-polling is set to begin on Wednesday.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

The caretaker Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, thinks the newspaper you hold in your hands is dedicated to trying to “tear down” the Samoan government but the broader economic progress of Samoa.

So, reader, are you subsidising borderline treachery by having paid for the edition you hold in your hands?

We certainly don’t think so. This newspaper has been part of Samoan public life for longer than the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) and Tuilaepa Dr Sa’ilele Malielegaoi. And for all these 43 years we have lived by a simple rule: telling truths, however uncomfortable, is the best thing for our country.

Our loyalties belong to our readers, the people of Samoa, and the truth and nothing and no one else. We consider not telling the truth about failures of government or corrupt goings-on to be the height of disloyalty to one’s country.

Tuilaepa’s statement was not entirely surprising to us but further evidence that he evidently lives by the saying that consistency is a preoccupation of small minds.

Many would have noticed that the Prime Minister’s office space at the Human Rights Protection Party Headquarters has as its backdrop several articles from what he this week described (and later retracted as a ) “vile” and “miserable” tabloid.

It is a strange thing indeed for a leader to have clippings from the pages of what he has described as essentially a magazine subversive to national loyalties.

Flattering coverage
There is after all an alternative, government-owned newspaper in this country and one that has not been short at all of flattering coverage of the Prime Minister that could serve as alternative decoration.

But perhaps he’s taken these pages down following the front-page article of this edition of the Weekend Observer.

On Thursday, Tuilaepa asserted that it was very typical of Samoans to try and tear each other down even when they are trying to do good.

“That’s like this paper, the [Samoa] Observer. Everything [they publish] is incorrect, I do not know when they will correct it,” he said.

“Others try to do something good while others try to tear it down […] just like the Samoa Observer newspaper.

“Whatever happens, they never report about anything bad from other political parties, but when it is criticism from something very minimal, oh, the [Samoa] Observer would be so full of a collection of irrelevant reports on it.”

We would beg to differ with the caretaker Prime Minister’s observations. But of course we would; no one would admit to harbouring such a rotten agenda as to seek to sabotage this country.

So we suggest you don’t take our word for it but rather Tuilaepa’s own.

‘Loved’ Samoa Observer
It was earlier this year that the then-Prime Minister said that he “loved” the Samoa Observer.

He was mixing his words with a touch of irony but as the old Russian saying goes: in every joke, there is a trace of a joke. And in this case, he was obviously making a serious point about the deficiencies of this country’s state-owned media empire and its inability to ask questions of him during press conferences.

He reproached the announcers at the state-owned radio station 2AP for deriving all the questions they asked of the Prime Minister from the Samoa Observer.

“Even though I make harsh comments towards them most of the time, I still love the (Samoa) Observer,” he said.

“You guys then go and read their articles and use those articles to formulate the questions you ask me during our weekly programmes.

“That is how you get your questions and that is what makes these interviews interesting, but it’s all because of the issues highlighted in the Observer.”

If Tuilaepa truly desired scrutiny he would have invited us to ask him unscripted questions at press conferences over the last two years for which he was in power. We never requested nor required what the Government Press Secretariat styled as the special “privilege” of being the only media outlet obliged to submit questions in advance to the Prime Minister.

Returning scrutiny
Returning scrutiny to your press conferences, Tuilaepa, is only a phone call away.

But let’s consider the Prime Minister’s broader accusation. Do we set out to undermine the credibility of our government?

No, we just do our job every day.

Politics is about power. Journalism is about asking questions about how that power is exercised to ensure that it is in the interest of the public.

In recent times at the Samoa Observer, this has involved a range of stories.

We of course measured the multi-million dollar airstrip at Ti’avea Airport – sold to the public as an alternative to Faleolo International Airport – and found it three times too small to land a passenger jet. There were plenty of questions there.

In 2019, we asked why the government was continuing to downplay the possibility that Measles had reached Samoa when, as we then revealed, an isolation unit for the disease had already been established at the national hospital.

Protecting the youth
More recently, we asked why the government had ignored the advice of its own advisory committee, issued months before, to move quickly to protect the youth of the nation before the disease ravaged the health of Samoa’s children.

Is it the Prime Minister’s contention that we should not investigate matters such as these and ask questions about them? Especially when, by his own admission, state-media employees are not providing scrutiny or even ideas off their own steam.

To be frank, we don’t much care. Our responsibility is not to please the powerful – far from it. But it is obvious that governance in Samoa would be much the worse without a critical press.

But as to the accusation that we are biased, in fact, whichever way misdeeds draw our attention our reporters will follow.

So it was with our critical editorial and coverage of the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party manifesto. We asked how the party planned on funding a policy platform that would almost double the size of the national budget at a time when the economy was shrinking faster than ever.

What about our March front-page story that three electoral committee members from the party were facing charges relating to election forgery?

(Note the party, which is not happy with our journalism, denied this story but has refused to say what the titles of the people arrested were. Until it does so, we stand by our reporting.)

Taking on all comers
The Samoa Observer takes on all comers and has always done so.

If we sense that the rules are being breached or the people of Samoa are being hard done by we will report on it. If we believe that the ongoing level of poverty in this nation is obscene, as we do, we report on it.

What is the alternative of a country without a newspaper with a critical edge?

We see it regularly in the Prime Minister’s press conferences where a sense of apathy radiates around the room as announcers tee up the Prime Minister with questions that fit his agenda.

Question marks loom particularly large over Samoa’s democracy at the moment. The final institution of government standing between Samoa and dictatorship appears to be the judiciary.

Tuilaepa has done his best to undermine that institution through casting aspersions.

But we can assure you that whatever the caretaker Prime Minister says about us will make us think twice about publishing a story.

This editorial was published by the Samoa Observer on 8 May 2021.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Samoa could end going back to the polls should a tie of 26/26 between the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) and the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party ensue.

The caretaker Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, told the media yesterday of the possibility of a united government to avoid Samoa having a hung Parliament.

“If I call Parliament to meet tomorrow with such numbers 26/26, then there is no other way but to ask the Head of State to dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections,” said Tuilaepa.

He said when the results came back on election day, he called independent Tuala Ponifasio to congratulate him, and then texted him the following Sunday asking for a meeting.

“I told him that he held the balance for a government and that it was a good thing for his children and his constituency, and that I wanted to help him decide no matter which side he will take,” said Tuilaepa.

He also informed Tuala that a government cannot be formed should he continue as an independent, and the only option is for the Head of State to declare another election.

Asked about a media report that Tuala had asked him to step down, Tuilaepa said the meeting was between two professionals.

Report ‘a bit harsh’
“The report was a bit harsh but it was not in that tone as we talked as two professionals,” said Tuilaepa.

On the second and last meeting, Tuala asked for some of his senior members to be present. But Tuala was late and the meeting was not long “as the party was waiting for our evening prayers,” said Tuilaepa.

After that meeting, Tuala said he was announcing his decision on Wednesday this week after he meets his constituency.

Tuilaepa has confirmed that his party is preparing legal challenges against FAST and he was mindful of possible petitions against HRPP.

How long these legal battles take is unpredictable and it could take more than a month for some.

Tuilaepa, however, said that the hearing of the legal challenges will not stop the formation of a government, and the outcome of the cases will also determine the fate of the government of the day.

He referred to 1982 when Samoa had four different governments and prime ministers in one year as a result of court cases following the general elections.

Meanwhile, the court decisions against cases before it will have an impact on the numbers of elected members for each party and may influence the formation of a new government.

Lagi Keresoma is a reporter with Talamua Online.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Mata’afa Keni Lesa, editor of the Samoa Observer

It’s all happening in Samoa today.

For such a small country, there really is no dull moment.

With the latest political maneuvering within the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), and the developments in the halls of law and justice during the past couple of days, things are certainly heating up.

READ MORE: Samoan police charge anti-government blogger

The worry is that there is no “atomic bomb” nearby – otherwise all these controversial developments could collectively trigger and cause something – we might regret later on. There is certainly a feeling of uneasiness in the air; that cannot be denied.

We say this because if as Christians we claim that there are no accidents in life, then we must pause and do some soul searching, to discover the true meaning to all these developments. What are they trying to tell us? What are the lessons we can take from it? And why are they happening?

-Partners-

There must be a method to thy madness. Folks, these things don’t just happen out of nowhere. There have been events building up to what we are seeing today, so that we get the feeling something has got to give, somewhere. And it’s not a question of whether it will happen; it’s rather of question of when and how it’s going to unfold.

As powerful as people say he is, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sa’ilele Malielegaoi has given a rare glimpse into his fears this week, perhaps explaining a lot of the things he’s been doing and saying lately.

What fear?
What is that fear? Well he’s afraid of the possibility that the political machine called the H.R.P.P. could fall apart.

How do we know? Well he said it himself.

In justifying the party’s decision to forcefully remove long serving member, La’auilalemalietoa Leuatea Polata’iva, Prime Minister Tuilaepa indicated he wants to use the decision against La’auli as a warning to other potential rebellion party members.

“If we don’t do this now, this will be the beginning of the destruction of this party because others will say; well nothing has been done to him so I can try too,” Tuilaepa admitted this week.

The reality is that it’s hard to imagine such a well-oiled machine like the HRPP destructing. It’s even harder to see that happening with a lone member expressing different views, like La’auli has done.

But they say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. La’auli might be alone for now, but who is to say that this is not the beginning of the end?

Which is perhaps why Prime Minister Tuilaepa is hell bent on ensuring party members get the message that no one should dare test his authority. He has thrown everything including the book to make his case here.

Written agreement
“We have an agreement, a written agreement,” he said. “Before you become a member, we have an agreement where you pledge your allegiance to the party. That agreement is your commitment that you will not do anything to harm the party. So once you do something to harm the party, you have made a decision on yourself.”

He continued: “When matters pertaining to the Constitution are raised where amendments are needed, no one is allowed to [vote against the party’s position]. This is where this agreement comes into play.”

“This (HRPP) law applies to when the Constitution is the subject of discussions and amendments. It is why if you decide to vote against, that is you officially informing the party you want to leave and you don’t want to be involved anymore. Which is exactly what was done.”

Interesting, very interesting indeed. Where this episode will head to next we can only wait and see.

The trouble for the government – and Prime Minister Tuilaepa – is that it’s not just being attacked from within, there is a growing number of people – especially Samoans residing overseas – who have become so bold they are starting to stand up and speak their minds.

One of them went the extra mile and threw a pig’s head and dog food at the Prime Minister when he was speaking during a Samoa Airways launch in Brisbane recently. In Samoa this week, Talalelei Pauga was offered an opportunity to explain his actions and what he said was quite telling.

“My approach was on the political level and the reason why I used the pig’s head was because he called the people of my country stinking pigs,” he said. “He also called our people dogs and all that. If you don’t have respect for my people why should I have respect for him?”

‘No fear’
Pauga went on to say that he has “no fear, and I will die for my people.” Well that’s a bit extreme, isn’t it? But it perhaps shows the depth of feeling that exists when it comes to some of the latest political developments in Samoa today.

Speaking of extremes, another one unfolded on Friday when the police charged the man known as “King Faipopo” for allegedly making defamatory statements online against Prime Minister Tuilaepa.

Malele Paulo (his real name) had come to Samoa for his mother’s funeral when he was picked up by the police and charged on Friday night. He spent the night in police custody before he was finally let go yesterday, after surrendering his passport.

Paulo becomes the first person to be charged under the Criminal Libel Act, re-introduced by Prime Minister Tuilaepa himself, last year. This is going to be very, very, very interesting.

So stay tuned.

This editorial was published in the Sunday Samoan, the weekend edition of Samoa’s only daily newspaper, Samoa Observer. It is republished with permission.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz