Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi has urged former CEO of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (M.J.C.A.), Papali’i John Taimalelagi, to accept the decision and move on.

Speaking during his media program with Talamua, the Prime Minister and Public Service Commission (P.S.C.) Chairman said no one forced the former C.E.O. to resign from his position and the decision of the Public Service Commission is final.

“The allegations leveled against the former C.E.O. are very damaging and will only humiliate him. My advice to Papali’i is to accept the decision. 

"If he moves forward with this matter it will eventually lead to Court and all his dirty laundry will come out and yet it comes directly from the his (former) staff. I didn’t think he wouldn’t take this route and it will only bring harm to him personally," he said.

The Prime Minister further added during his program that “no one can force another person (to admit to charges)".

“I just received the letter and I am well versed with the matter at hand. I assumed the decision was final and there is no rebuttal. The allegations that he was forced — no one can force another person,” he said. 

He further noted that Papali’i was appointed as the C.E.O., given his capabilities and vast knowledge to make decisions. 

“There were charges initiated from the staff of the Ministry and the P.S.C. cannot turn a blind eye, given the Commissioner was copied on the correspondence going back and forth.”

The Prime Minister did not clarify what correspondence he was referring to, but noted the P.S.C. is mandated under the law to investigate allegations that are supported by written testimonies of the staff. 

The Prime Minister said the accusations by the sacked C.E.O. are petty. 

“The allegation against the Minister and a P.S.C. Commissioner member is a weak move on his part. The request was given by the Ministers and it is the appropriate thing to do, but he (Papali’i) has the right to heed the advice or deny the request. 

“I believe the request made was to minimise the damage, and if the investigation continued the allegations would come to light and the staff would call him out.

Papali’i has accused the Minister of Justice and Courts Administration, Fa’aolesa Katopau Ainu’u, and P.S.C. member, Auelua Samuelu Enari, of pressuring him to “admit to charges”. But the allegations were rejected by Auelua.