Samoa's Opposition Leader has brushed off claims by the Prime Minister who alleged the Lepa M.P. is "a liar" when speaking to her party faithful.

The leader of Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party and Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa criticised her predecessor at a gathering at Fagaloa on Saturday when she spoke about the findings and recommendations of the 2021 General Election Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

She claimed Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi was "shocked" by a recommendation of the CoI for her Lotofaga and Tuilaepa's Lepa constituencies to be merged. But added that the recommendation, given the small number of voters within the two respective constituencies, was not new.

Fiamē described her political rival's "reaction" to the recommendation of the CoI as that of someone who "just lost her virginity".

But Tuilaepa, the leader of the Opposition's Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.), rejected the criticism by his former party colleague and denied knowledge of similar recommendations in the past to merge their constituencies. 

"I didn't listen to Fiame's speech," Tuilaepa said in an exclusive interview. "But I have been told that she was smiling when she said what she said, so I take it that it was a humorous comment from her. 

"However, I don't appreciate her calling me a liar and I like to clear the air that I was not shocked."

Tuilaepa then brushed off the comments made by Fiamē, saying he wouldn't understand the rationale behind Fiame's comments as "I am a man". 

Speaking about the recommendations highlighted in the CoI report, Tuilaepa took the opportunity to remind the governing party that election reforms are quite complex and take time to implement. 

Emphasising that he is of the view that the "boat should not be rocked" by proposed reforms and their speedy implementation, he reminded the current Government of election reforms and changes in electoral boundaries undertaken during the H.R.P.P. term of government and took a decade to implement. 

Tuilaepa said there were a lot of challenges with electoral boundaries and traditional electoral constituencies which prompted the reforms that his administration implemented through the "one man, one district, one vote" policy. 

He described the reforms as being "in-depth reforms" which took a lot of "political will and power, guts and courage" to initiate and execute. Common sense should also be considered for a lot of the issues when discussing electoral reforms relating to electoral boundaries. 

According to the former prime minister, electoral boundaries can change from time to time. However, he maintained that it will not and "will never change" the traditional districts that exist in Samoa. The reforms that were implemented by the HRPP administration cost them "a lot", said Tuilaepa, and some of their cabinet ministers lost their seats because of the reforms. 

Tuilaepa then reiterated that there was never a time when there were recommendations for the merger of Lepa and Lotofaga constituencies.

"But the reason why I say I was not shocked is because if we look at it, I have been unopposed for the last three general elections so Fiame needs to remember that. 

"Also, if we go to the traditional sittings within Lepa and Lotofaga, I have a fair chance of coming through as a victor compared to Fiame because of the foundations of our districts."

Speaking to the F.A.S.T. party faithful at Fagaloa on Saturday, Fiamē said they should have eyes to be able to see things clearly. 

"Let's not paint a picture to cover the truth because if we cannot see things clearly, we will not be able to implement good changes and development and will not know how to respond to the challenges and adversity we face in life."

Turning to the CoI report, which is currently before the Parliamentary Standing Order Committee for review, the Prime Minister said its recommendations are not new. 

She also said the recommendations in the report have not been finalised as the parliamentary committee needs to submit a report to the Legislative Assembly when it is ready for deliberation before a report is tabled in the Cabinet to prepare legislation if there are any proposed amendments. 

"Then it will be tabled in Parliament again, so it's a long process. There have been a lot of questions relating to the recommendations from the CoI," said Fiamē. "I was also invited by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee and committee members to share my opinions about the report. 

"I think for me, we need to focus on the basis or the foundation of how we can divide the constituencies. Whether we want it to be based on traditions and culture or based on numbers. 

"The way I see it, it's a little bit of both, hence why it is complex. But I guess that's the nature of life. Things can get complicated. 

"But for me, it does not matter how they want to divide or draw electoral boundaries, as long as we are clear on the basis of how we can draw the boundaries. If the basis or foundation is clear, things will be much more easier."