Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi has accused his former deputy, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, of making "false promises" to the country. 

Speaking during his weekly programme on Radio 2AP, Tuilaepa claimed Fiame "deceived" the country after announcing that she would officially join Samoa's newest political party, Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party two weeks ago. 

"What happened to the promise and announcement she made?," Tuilaepa asked. 

"That's all they're doing, false promises and deceiving the people of the country." 

Tuilaepa's statements followed him being asked to respond to criticism by the F.A.S.T. party's leader, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt, and members, who had accused the Prime Minister of prolonging the Parliament's final, pre-election session needlessly.

But Tuilaepa did not accept claims that Parliament's session had been unduly prolonged. 

"They know that this is the final sitting for this parliamentary term," he said on the programme. 

"All the different M.P.s are given the opportunity to make their speeches, therefore we cannot stop them. 

"They are all aware of that, so I don't know where they get that mentality from. But they are wanting to rush the sessions so they can go out and do their roadshows. 

"They want to go out to the villages and make promises to the people telling them about their plans, that's all they're doing, just making false announcements."

The Prime Minister then queried who the true leader of the F.A.S.T. party was. 

"Sometimes it's La'auli, and sometimes its Olo [Fiti Vaai]," he said. 

"I don't understand them and I don't know what they're thinking.

"Even Fiame made an announcement that she would officially join the party, two weeks ago.

"But nothing has happened.

"Why is it taking so long for her to make the move when we all know that she is one of them (F.A.S.T.)? 

"She lied to the country and the people as she made that announcement herself.

"That's what they're good at, making false announcements."