A former Member of Parliament, Leanapapa Lucky Anderson, has condemned the Prime Minister’s use of “disrespectful language" and what he described as the "passing [of] insults” in public.

Leanapapa said Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi has become so used denigrating members of the public and Members of Parliament with insulting words.

“The recent example was his comments in Parliament when he said 'I have ordered the Committee to summon the Judges'," Leanapapa said.

"Who is he to talk to the respective members of Parliament like that? Are they his children? 

"The committee members know they have the authority to summon witnesses."

The former M.P. was referring to remarks made by Tuilaepa earlier this month about a Special Inquiry Committee tasked to review the Lands and Title Bill 2020; Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020 and Judicature Bill 2020.

The Committee is chaired by Member of Parliament, Gatoloaifa’ana Amataga Gidlow, who will serve alongside seven other M.P.s as panel members. They are Namulauulu  Sami Leota, Sulamanaia Tuivasa Tauiliili, Faaulusau Duffy Stowers, Fuimaono Teo Samuelu, Leaana Ronnie Posini and Ili Setefano Ta’ateo. 

“The Prime Minister talks about preserving our traditions and culture through the proposed measures which has drawn a lot of criticism; yet the core of culture is respect but he does not seem to give any of that to anyone," Leanapapa said.

"Let alone the Members of Parliament, they are highly regarded in their families, villages, but the Prime Minister talks to them like they are his children. Another issue is the way he talks to the Church Ministers during their scuffle over the taxation issues. 

“The past leaders of this country had the utmost respect for the men of the cloth; which is rightly so, but not Tuilaepa.” 

Leanapapa referenced the Prime Minister's comments towards a certain village calling them “dogs”. 

The former M.P. said the Prime Minister should speak with caution. 

“It’s saddening that not only my children are listening, surely his children and grandchildren are listening to him passing insults," Leanapapa said.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister did not return a call on Sunday evening for comments.