Dear Editor,

The Samoan Parliamentary Oath of Allegiance bestows a great responsibility on those who answer the call to high office.

It is an honour that many will covet, but only a few will be trusted to hold.

“I (name) swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Independent State of Samoa and that I will justly and faithfully carry out my duties as a Member of Parliament of Samoa. So help me God.”

It is a binding oath for all Parliamentarians to serve the people of Samoa with integrity, diligence, and accountability.

For members of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), it is an oath to faithfully execute our role as a proactive and vigilant opposition party in the Parliament of Samoa, serving with full allegiance to the Constitution.

However, the Leader of Government during a recent parliamentary session misrepresented this role of the opposition, branding legitimate parliamentary scrutiny as tantamount to a coup d’état.

This view reflects a paranoid interpretation of democratic governance.

It reminds us of a familiar story from an African state, where a newly installed coup leader summoned the country’s Treasury CEO for a briefing on national finances.

The official began expertly explaining the GDP, balance of payments, and foreign exchange reserves only to be abruptly silenced and dismissed by the new dictator.

Realising his mistake, the Treasury CEO returned and said, “Sir, what I meant to say is, if we do nothing, we will be couped!”

Shocked, the dictator replied, “What! Then do something! Now!”

Mr Prime Minister, as we approach the festive Christmas and New Year season, the message from the opposition is simple.

You need to stop blaming HRPP for everything. After all, your party has been in government for five years.

You need to do something now.

Start by fixing the electricity blackouts!

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP