Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt has launched an investigation into the Government Press Secretary, Nanai Laveitiga Tuiletufuga, after the release of incorrect information regarding the appointment of the Ministry of Health’s Chief Executive Officer, June Scanlan Lui.

The Government Press Secretariat initially announced Toleafoa Dr Viali Lameko as the new Ministry of Health CEO. The social media post on the official Government of Samoa Facebook page was taken down within minutes of publication.

In a later press conference, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa clarified that the cabinet, not the Public Service Commission (PSC), made the final decision to appoint June Scanlan Lui as CEO of the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Last week, the Prime Minister confirmed that Nanai has been temporarily suspended while an inquiry examines how the error occurred. The investigation will review what was discussed and agreed to in the cabinet meeting, what information was authorised for public release, and how the incorrect announcement was made and circulated.

“This should have never happened,” Laaulialemalietoa said.

He said the investigation aims to clarify what went wrong and why, including the internal processes that allowed inaccurate information to reach the public. Laaulialemalietoa said he is confident that the review will lead to stronger procedures and prevent similar incidents.

“I believe there should be a process so that this does not happen again,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that what appeared in the press release differed from what the cabinet had actually decided. “According to the law, we will allow the investigation to run its course and determine how the press release came to conflict with the cabinet’s decision,” Laaulialemalietoa said.