Dear Editor,

We have now been informed of a new policy of the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Government requiring all chairperson positions of Rural Development Committees to undergo interviews, with the objective of ensuring that only individuals affiliated with the ruling party are appointed.

The interviews are conducted by panels made up of FAST Party supporters, some of whom previously served under my administration.

They are now questioning the qualifications of non-FAST Members of Parliament to become committee chairpersons.

Historically, elected Members of Parliament, regardless of their political affiliation, including Hon. Fiame Mata’afa Faumuina Mulinu’u II, Hon. Tupua Tamasese Lealofi IV, Hon. Vaai Kolone, Hon. Tofilau Eti Alesana, and Hon. Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, provided leadership on all matters affecting their districts.

This practice is blended with our cultural traditions, where chiefly leaders command the respect and trust of their people.

This new discriminatory policy removes any accountability for the use of taxpayers' and donor funds, as all decisions will be made by FAST Party members in favour of their supporters and causes.

It will allow the alleged misuse of public funds by the FAST Party to continue with impunity.

Some of these allegations are the subject of ongoing legal cases against senior FAST Members of Parliament.

They include, amongst other matters, the alleged misuse of aid funds both directly and indirectly to bribe voters during the recent general elections.

The abuse of taxpayer and donor development funds was first employed by FAST during the 2021 General Elections.

It is their main funding tactic, which is the reason why there are no public funds available to fix key national priorities such as the electricity shortages, infrastructure maintenance, or essential medical services.

Instead, all Samoa taxpayer and donor funds are being directed to settle political favours in the form of “community development” projects funded by the FAST government, implemented by FAST-dominated rural development committees, and led by FAST-appointed chairpersons.

Samoa is fast adopting a feudal system of governance that has no national priorities.

The Human Rights Protection Party is now seeking the Court’s direction against these illegal practices, which do not comply with Samoa’s financial legislation governing the proper use of public funds.

There is no doubt that Samoa’s development partners are paying close attention to the FAST Party’s increasingly autocratic system of governance.

Donors understand the principles of accountability and transparency, especially in the use of their taxpayer and investor funds.

More importantly, donors and their citizens know the difference between bribery and genuine rural development.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP