Samoa Observer

Fiame "mastermind" behind suspension, says Tuilaepa

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Fiame "mastermind" behind suspension, says Tuilaepa

By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi 28 May 2022, 4:47PM

Former prime minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi has shrugged off comments by his successor of a legacy (mavaega tu'ua) she claimed was planted in parliament by the former ruling party. 

The Opposition and Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) leader then accused his former deputy prime minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa of being the "mastermind" behind his indefinite suspension from parliament. 

The remarks by Fiame were made in relation to the findings and recommendations of the Privileges and Ethics Committee, which was tasked to investigate a formal complaint by the Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio against Tuilaepa and H.R.P.P. secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.

The Legislative Assembly on Tuesday moved to pass the recommendations of the Committee which saw the suspension of the leader and party secretary infinitely. 

The head of the Government was particularly critical of statements made by Tuilaepa and Leala towards the judiciary at the height of last year's constitutional crisis, which she added was unbecoming of the two Members.  

An example she used was when a Court decision is made and is contrary to what the leader of the Opposition and the party secretary say. 

“Are these are the words and behaviour that reflects the respect for the law,” Fiame told Parliament. 

“This is one of ethics the oath of allegiance speak of that we should uphold and to have respect for the Law. 

“Forget about the statements towards the Court, forget about the statements made to us but after the Court has made a decision they say its not right because their leader say it isn’t.

“It’s the legacy (mavaega tuua) of the Human Rights Protection Party they left behind during their parliamentary term, a seed they have planted with consequences…”  

Fiame then talked about how the position of the Opposition Leader to plant a seed in Parliament that they can do whatever they want. 

“It’s a privilege,” she said, when referring to the defence by the Opposition Members about the words they used towards the Courts. 

“They planted a seed where they can speak words that will undermine the integrity of the Courts and stomp on this Parliament. 

“I pity those that asked to forget and move to the future. 

“But I will say this to the other side, the legacy left by the political party is in this parliament, in this country where you can hijack the law and use the authority of a position to do what you are not supposed to do.”

However, on Saturday, the former prime minister released his response to comments made by Fiame, through a statement circulated to the media. 

“That’s a typical ‘Johnny come late’ comment from my former HRPP deputy leader who does not remember what the HRPP stands for and its record of achievements in protecting the human rights of the underprivileged, including women and children," Tuilaepa said. 

Tuilaepa reminded the Prime Minister that the H.R.P.P. Administration established the Ministry for Women, their empowerment through legislation to guarantee to kingdom come the entry of women to Samoa’s Parliament, the appointment of many talented and educated women on merit to become CEOd of government ministries and corporations.

“Over 40 colleges and high schools throughout all the districts of Samoa were established during the H.R.P.P. administration as well as the upgrading of district hospitals to improve education and upgrade the health services for our people in rural areas,” he said.

 Furthermore, Tuilaepa highlighted that one of the most important milestones during the H.R.P.P. government era to safeguard the rights of women and children was the setting up of the Family Court to expedite cases involving family disputes and to curb domestic violence.

 "The H.R.P.P. was formed in 1979 following the dismissals of many CEOs by the government at the time," the Opposition Leader said.

"A Supreme Court judge from New Zealand presided over a court case subsequently brought by a dismissed CEO of Health as well as the dismissed President of the Nurses Association at the time, an aunt of Fiame, who found that the dismissal of these two public servants was based on malice.

"Huge financial compensations were paid from the revenue collected out of the hard-earned income of all our tax payers.

 “It is also the reason for the name of our party, the Human Rights Protection Party, a reminder to all future governments that H.R.P.P. was born out of the injustices done to public servants by government leaders who abuse their powers and ignore the rule of law.

“Incidentally, the former Attorney General Mrs Taulapapa Latu, who loved to sing the song of observing the rule of law against HRPP prior to the General Elections, is exceptionally silent”.

Tuilaepa did not stop there and went on to charge that  the Fiame's government" is "repeating evil deeds" by the administration or government in 1979.

Nevertheless, Tuilaepa also accused Prime Minister Fiame of being the mastermind behind his suspension from the House, "using the name of the Deputy Prime Minister". 

The veteran politician argued that the attempt to remove them from Parliament is to "negate the harmony agreement" that was signed by the two party leaders early this year, "now that she is clear of the general elections corrupt criminal charges the H.R.P.P. filed against her."

"The Speaker's rulings denying also the human rights of two H.R.P.P. women M.P.s to take their oaths as well as 17 HRPP MPs in September 2021 until the Court overturned this blatant abuse of power and directed that we take our oaths on 17 September 2021, can now also be understood where the directive came from.

“No secret can remain forever in a small society like Samoa and eventually no leader can continue to hide forever whilst directing others to do her dirty bidding.”

“Eventually the light will shine in the darkness for everyone to see”.

“The Prime Minister ought to remember that she can fool some people some of the time but she cannot fool everyone all the time."

Fiame was the last M.P. to speak on the report on Tuesday before the Chairman of the Privileges and Ethics Committee, Valasi Tafito Selesele moved the motion to approve their report and recommendation. 

She told Parliament on Tuesday that if she was asked for her view on the penalty for the Members, she would have asked for the maximum penalty "in an effort to uproot the seed that has now grown inside the House". 

She then made reference to a common Samoan saying (e le milia faauu tatou upu) used in Parliament which literally means "don’t mince words during debate and discussions".    

Fiame said such words are used in the context of family meetings and village councils here there are close relations. However, when you sit in parliament, she said, one must watch their words but that no longer exists. 

“There is no respect…positions have been misused,” she said. 

She noted comments made by the deputy leader that described the situation that Tuilaepa and Leala are in as a "double jeopardy". 

But Fiame said such examples are misleading to the public and the principle of double jeopardy only applies in the Court. 

“The deputy leader is a lawyer by profession and he uses these words double jeopardy that no one should be tried twice. But these are examples of statements that imply the Parliament does not understand its meaning…there are many fools but not all are fools.” 

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HRPP
Politics
By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi 28 May 2022, 4:47PM
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