A popular pastime amongst the Ava Bowl retirees at our Fugalei Market daily is “there is no secret in Samoa” and all they talk about is the latest scam. That is to be expected in a small society of only 200,000 people where the extended family system is alive and well. 

Cousins that were born from the same parents thousands of years ago, meet often like brothers and sisters at family events like funerals, weddings or meetings to decide on the successions to family chiefly titles, especially the family’s head matai title which is a heatedly sought permit to control the family’s customary lands and other matai titles related to the family. 

It means the future of one’s siblings and other close relatives is firmly secured. So, every matai is expected to know the family tree detailing the different branches that go back hundreds of years and to keep on updating the family chart. 

It is a reason our Land and Titles Court is kept busy all the time on numerous cases involving customary land and titles disputes, a challenge the colonial powers recognised early in their occupation of Samoa and accordingly moved to set up our Lands and Titles Commissions which later became the Land and Titles Court. 

For the aspiring heir, his regular presence and proactive participation through monetary contributions at family events raise his chances of being chosen as a leader, especially if he is also highly educated. This aspect of Samoan custom on the extended family system can easily lead to questionable legal decisions involving land and title matters by the adjudicating judges.

But the Police and Judges must follow the palagi process of obtaining “proof beyond reasonable doubt”, a legal principle which can be used either way for the arrest of the offender, or to let go of the criminal for many worldly reasons. The jargon that the “law is an ass” is more meaningful in our beautiful Samoa today.

The media this week highlighted many specific questionable activities involving Cabinet Ministers, which we raised weeks before. What was most embarrassing was the open disregard for the Rule of Law by these ministers. 

For foreign vessels to enter our ports illegally and unloaded whatever they brought in, and again left with shipments of whatever they took, poses a direct threat to the security of our nation State and neighbouring countries.

Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa has already admitted publicly to the illegal entry of a boat from American Samoa aside from the Stock Exchange episode, the illegal importation of firearms, the charter flights from China, the forced reopening of the Fagalii Airport etc, etc. 

And with no legal action against those involved, the message is clear. The Samoan Government is actively promoting illegal acts impacting the security of our people and other Pacific nations in the region. All eyes are now on the Prime Minister and what she has to do as a leader of this proud nation which used to enjoy the respect of many nations.