The response from the Minister of Justice (MOJ) to my letter on the Afega-Leauvaa dispute reflects the lack of leadership and commitment to finding solutions, that has become the hallmark of the FAST administration.

The gravity of the Afega - Leauvaa matter seems lost on the MOJ.

By choosing to immerse herself in bureaucratic excuses for further inaction, the Minister has sent a clear message that the long standing customary issues that are important to the people of Samoa, which the LTA reforms were specifically designed to address, are not a priority.

The LTCAR and the LTA reforms were the result of years of careful consideration and consultation.

They are Samoan solutions to Samoan problems adopted by Samoan leaders who had seen their people suffer under a system that was not structured to resolve customary issues for generations.

MOJ can very easily convene a meeting of our Samoan legal and administrative experts to discuss the challenges that seem to have confounded her and her advisers.

The framework for a solution exists. The commitment to finding that solution is sadly missing.

Leaders will find pathways to solutions that ease the pain and hardships of their people.

Only fools fiddle while their people suffer.

The Ministry of Justice has failed miserably to give good advice to our Judiciary which has lost many important cases on Appeals due to their non-observance of the relevant provisions of the Constitution of Samoa.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP