A young former policeman is looking to move from enforcing to making laws by standing to contest the seat of Falealili No.2 for the upcoming by-election next month. 

Fuimaono La'auli Talataina has an in-depth policy agenda for a young politician but he also sees running in the by-election as a means of resolving unfinished family business. 

The 34-year-old is one of the three contestants who have declared their candidacies for the electoral seat of Falealili No.2., which was previously held by Fuimaono Samuelu Te'o. 

He will be contesting under the flag of the party of Government, Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) alongside another F.A.S.T. candidate and businessman, Maiava Fuimaono Tito, and will be up against Leleimalefaga Ne'emia from the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.). 

When asked why he decided to contest, Fuimaono said it was his will to serve his people and the country of Samoa that inspired him to stand for office. 

Moreover, Fuimaono said he wanted to finish a political project that his father-in-law had started. 

His father-in-law, Veletaloola Fuimaono Avauli, contested the seat of Falealili No.2, also under F.A.S.T.’s banner in the April election but was unsuccessful. 

Veletaloola filed an election petition against the victor, Fuimaono Te'o and the Supreme court found both of them guilty of bribery which triggered the by-election for the Falealili No.2. 

"Offering my service for my people and the country is the driving force behind my decision to contest," said Fuimaono. 

"I feel that this is another step I should take so I can give back to the community and serve them to the best of my ability."

Fuimaono is unfazed by the fact that there are two of them from F.A.S.T. contesting the seat of Falealili No.2. He is confident in his preparations and believes that God will choose the right person to represent Falealili and shall leave it to the voters to make the decision. 

His decision to run as a F.A.S.T. candidate was not a hard decision to make, says Fuimaono. 

"This is because the word Aiga (family) is fitting to describe the party. F.A.S.T. works as a family and personally for me, that's a very great way to deal and address the issues we discuss and hope to deliver. 

"A place where we find refuge, warmth and love. Things are done like how we deal with issues within our families; all the voices are heard and welcomed by the party and there are no discrimination there. 

Fuimaono has a long list of things he wishes to deliver and address within his constituency should he succeed in the upcoming by-election. 

However, education is on top of his list of priorities he wants to address. 

"From experience, I have seen so many young people being punished by the village because of their behaviors and it's not a good thing for our families. 

"This is because it will only add on the many things the parents and families deal with. Most of those young people causing troubles within the villages are the ones who are unemployed and school dropouts. 

"That's why I wish to focus on developing education within our constituency. 

"I am a strong believer that investing in education is the best kind of investment because they are the future of our families, villages and country."

Fuimaono has been using social media platforms to promote the areas he wishes to develop as the M.P. for Falealili No.2. 

He has declared offering scholarships for students, paying for registration fees and allowances for teachers. 

When asked about how he will deliver and achieve his plans for the education developments he has promised, Fuimaono said: "Those plans are parts of our developments we intend to implement under the $200,000 tala fund from the government. 

Despite being a novice in the political arena, Fuimaono said he has always been engaged with politics in Samoa from a very young age and was always interested in the discussions and debates happening in parliament. 

Nonetheless, his time in the police force has given him an insight of what happens in government and politics in Samoa. 

Fuimaono is married to Michalene Talataina; they have four children.