Speaker of the House Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua banned Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi from wearing sunglasses in parliament unless they are medically prescribed.

The Speaker made the call as the parliamentary session started on Tuesday.

The ruling followed a lecture by the Speaker directed at the Opposition Leader over comments Tuilaepa made on social media.

During the session, the Speaker criticised what he described as inappropriate online statements made by Tuilaepa, warning him against using harsh language both on social media and inside the House.

The Speaker said Tuilaepa, through his social media programmes, had made statements he considered personal and offensive to the Parliament House. He emphasised that while members of parliament are free to debate issues in the national interest, personal attacks against the Speaker and his family and the manner in which he carries out his duties are unacceptable.

“Even though it was said outside of the Maota, we are the leaders of the country,” said Auapaau as he addressed the issue inside the House.

He also referenced a previous incident in parliament in which Tuilaepa swore at the Prime Minister, resulting in a 24-hour suspension. The Speaker reminded the House that the public is closely watching the conduct of its leaders.

“Ua maimau lou faaaloalo atu, e le faia faapena lau galuega, soia toute faasese le atunuu,” the Speaker said, which translates to, “I have wasted giving you my respect, I don’t carry out my duties like that, you all should stop deceiving the country.”

He reminded the House to serve the country with love and dedication, as leaders.

“We are leaders of the nation; let us work together and not go back to social media and tarnish the name of parliament,” said Auapaau.

During the session, the Speaker also banned Tuilaepa from wearing sunglasses in the chamber, stating they compromised the dignity and proper conduct expected in parliament. He clarified that only prescribed reading glasses would be permitted.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Tuilaepa laughed off the sunglasses ban. “Ua le iloa a se mea e saga ai,” he said, which translates to, “We don’t know where to turn,” referring to his previous suspensions from the House.