Claims by an M.P. that a Cabinet Minister approved three Hong Kong companies getting registered on Samoa's business registry have been refuted by the Prime Minister.

The Safata No. 1 M.P. Lea'ana Ronnie Posini, who is a Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) member, called on the Government to give background on three stock exchange companies and claimed that one of the Cabinet Ministers signed an agreement on behalf of the Government. 

The Member of Parliament raised the issue when speaking on the 2023/2024 Budget on Friday morning. He claimed that people have raised concerns about the possible involvement of the Government, claiming Samoans could "lose their lands" if they allow investors to come in and do business in Samoa. 

However, his efforts to discuss and raise the issue in the House were shot down by Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, who interjected and asked the M.P. to show the link between his claims to the budget currently before the Legislative Assembly. 

"Let's talk and stick to the issues that are on the order paper for Parliament," Fiamē said. 

The Parliament Speaker, Papali'i Li'o Ta'eu-Masipau expressed similar sentiments and reminded the M.P. that the stock exchange is not in the budget appropriation, and he should refrain from making comments on issues unrelated to the budget. 

However, Lea'ana said the Standing Orders of Parliament allow them to speak generally about the economy of the country and relevant factors that can affect it. 

"I thought that's what we are doing," he said. "But if you want me to speak directly on the budget, I can also do that. I just thought it would be good to raise this issue because it's a very critical issue. 

"However, I will leave it to the Government because I heard a Cabinet Minister has already signed off on these deals, I don't know who the Minister is."

Fiamē then interjected again and reminded the House of the use of "facts" and not "hearsay" and questioned Lea'ana whether he had proof that a Cabinet Minister had signed the deals he made reference to. 

"Do you have evidence to prove that a Cabinet Minister has already signed on this?" Fiamē said. 

But Lea'ana said he was only made aware of the issue because of what he saw on social media and also heard about it. 

Papali'i also reminded him to refrain from raising issues based on rumours and making false statements in the Legislative Assembly as the nation is watching and listening to all the proceedings. 

He then asked him to retract his statement or correct it if he was unsure. 

Upon admission to the Speaker that he was unable to prove his point, the Minister for Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Va'ai then put forth a motion to have Lea'ana's comments removed from the Parliament's Hansard. 

"Do your research properly before you raise anything in Parliament," Olo said to Lea'ana. "Because you could follow the other two Members of your party who are suspended from Parliament if you continue to do this. The motion was then seconded and passed. 

The Opposition Leader, Lauofo Pierre Lauofo at this point then stood up and said Lea'ana raised a good point. He then called on the Government to make an official statement to inform the country, that a Cabinet Minister did not sign anything at the launching of the three companies in Hong Kong. 

But the Parliament Speaker was not happy with the comments from Lauofo as he was of the view that the Opposition Leader "had instructed" the Executive on what to do. This in his view was irrelevant to what was discussed in the House. 

"You can't order and tell the Government what to do," Papali'i said. 

However, the Deputy Speaker, Auapa'au Mulipola Aloitafua then stood up and expressed disappointment at Lauofo and accused the veteran Anoana'a No. 2 M.P. of breaching and defying the Standing Orders 78 (8) of Parliament. 

"You already ruled on the matter and the members have agreed to have the comments made by the M.P. for Safata No. 1 removed from the Parliament's Hansard. Yet he still stood up after that and tries to bring up the issue again."

The Speaker agreed with the remarks of the Deputy Speaker and appealed to the Opposition Leader to refrain from making comments to stir peace within the House. 

Lea'ana then stood up again and try to speak about the issue of same-sex marriage. 

However, Fiamē immediately stood up and claimed that Lea'ana was breaching parliament's standing orders by continuing to discuss issues irrelevant to the budget and not on the agenda. 

She then put forth a motion to have Lea'ana's speech cut off as his time was up. 

"You have asked him for like six times now to wrap up his speech, yet he continues to raise more issues."

Last week Friday, the Government denied links to three companies launched in Hong Kong that have a local constituency from Savaii listed as a shareholder.

In a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister, the Government said it is not entertaining the idea of getting behind the proposal of supporting international stock exchange companies. 

And is looking at getting a feasibility study done first for Samoa's financial sector to see whether such an initiative will be beneficial for the country. 

"The Government is aware that there has been a launch in Hong Kong of what is dubbed as a Samoa Stock Exchange, Samoa Digital Asset Exchange, and Oceania Special Economic Zone," the statement reads. 

"Despite what has been circulating on social media, the Government of Samoa confirms that it has not endorsed or approved such an initiative."

A quick check by this newspaper on all three companies listed in the statement revealed that they are all registered 'private companies and can be found on the Company Registry for the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Labour (M.C.I.L.).

"The Government has received applications regarding these initiatives. These are currently being reviewed and appraised by the relevant authorities including the necessary due diligence checks.

"The Government welcomes any form of new investments that will improve and benefit Samoa’s economy and people. However, it must ensure that such initiatives are safe, sound, and feasible. Proposals of this nature require proper frameworks in place to regulate the exchange platform and protect market users and investors."