Call against Govt. "demonic," P.M. hits back

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, is not worried about a rallying call by her former Deputy, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, for a vote against the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) in the 2021 General Election.

“It is not with a good spirit," Tuilaepa said, "it is a demonic spirit and that is why we are not worried.”  

According to the Prime Minister, Fiame is singing the same old song sung by those during the time of the late Prime Minister, Tofilau Eti Alesana, and others who have been calling for a change of government.  

He made the comments during an interview with Radio 2A.P. on Tuesday afternoon. 

“It’s not a new call," he said. "Ever since H.R.P.P. [was in government] this is the same song from many people including the newspaper to change government."

He did not say who he was referring nor did he name the newspaper.

But Tuilaepa insisted that the Government is divinely appointed by God through a "secret whisper." He said people like Fiame who are calling for a change of government are intervening with the calling from God.

“So we are not worried by those that oppose government,” he said. “This is the only thing that they stand together on is to change government and despising the party that is in government. 

Veteran Member of Parliament for Lotofaga, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa resigned from her ministerial duties last month due to her opposition to three proposed bills from Cabinet.

The legal fraternity and international agencies claimed the three proposed legislations will threaten the rule of law in Samoa.  

In a recent interview with the Samoa Observer, Fiame has called for a vote against the current government in 2021 General Election to prevent them from reshaping the judiciary.  

“It may be after the fact but people need to be asking the questions of Government, of its motivations and why they are putting this up and why now,” she said. 

“I want [constituents] to vote against the Government in the next election because of these bills.

“This should demonstrate to the country that their rights have been put at risk, especially with regards to lands and titles.”

In response to his former Deputy, Tuilaepa said those that proclaim to destroy [talepe] the government should be called destroyers [talepe mea]. 

He said these people have no plans other than destroying government. 

He made reference to political parties; Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi, and Samoa National Democratic Party and Tautua Samoa Party as those declaring they will destroy government. 

“We are not worried by it because we know they do not make that decision,” said Tuilaepa.