Former Head of State Highlight Importance of a United Village Stance

The former Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and his wife Filifia Tamasese arrive at Falealili to meet his family and village last Saturday.

APIA, SAMOA – 19 JULY 2020: The former Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi has highlighted the importance of a united stance when it comes to keeping the peace and harmony among people.

Tupua met with his family last Saturday at Salani in a historical and traditional ceremony where he was welcomed in a Royal Ava ceremony.

Although the focus of the meeting was the three controversial Bills, Land and Titles Amendment Bill 2020, Judicature Act 2020, and the Constitution Amendment Act 2020, currently in its consultation phases, Tupua reminded the people of their ancestors’ united stance on issues of national importance to Samoa.

He reflected on the country’s journey to political independence, the Constitutional Convention and the plebiscite where the people supported an independent Samoa and the country’s Constitution.

Tupua reminded that Salani was in full support of the issues.

“The importance of Salani’s united stance is the reason I gave (lawyer) Fuimaono Sarona a copy as evidence of a united village’s decision, and the information should be made available for future generations of the village,” he said.

He credited the late Fuimaono Fa’afete (Salani) Tuatagaloa Te’o Satele Simaile (Poutasi) and Fonoti Fa’agalu (Satalo) who represented the Falealili district in the Constitutional Convention Committee.

He referred to Samoan customs that in dealing with difficult national issues as the current controversial bills, the opinions must be sought of the Puletua, that includes the women and untitled men through a plebiscite.  “O le aganu’u a Samoa, a tulai mai loa se mataupu  fita e pei ona o lenei, o fea le itu e lagolago ese nuu ise taua o loma, aemaise pe a ua vaeluaina  le nuu? E silisili lava le tofa ma le fa’autaga ise finagalo o le Puletua, e faasino lea i faletua, tausi, le aualuma ma le aumaga.”

The Royal Ava for the Tama a Fenunuivao.

Tupua believes that what is most important for Salani was that a Constitution was supported through a plebiscite and Salani support was unanimous.

As for the 3 controversial Bills, Tupua explained why Government needs to pass these bills into law, but he needed to clarify the Land and Title Registration Act 2008 he signed.

Tupua as Head of Sate signed the Land and Titles Registration Act (LTRA) 2008

Tupua knows he is being blamed for signing the LTR Act 2008 which he claims he was reluctant to sign.

However, he told the gathering that after he was assured by then Attorney General, Tuatagaloa Aumua Ming Leung Wai that the LTR Act 2008 does not affect the sale of customary land, he went ahead and signed it.

Not anticipating the next Government move, Tui Atua was surprised when the 3 Bills were introduced in Parliament in March 2020.

He said these Bills were introduced for the sake of making the sale of customary lands easy.

Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi taking his Ava.

“Our ancestors predicted and knew the kind of dilemma that would face our customary lands hence Section 102 of the Constitution,” he said.

He further explained that Section 102, which is further strengthen by s.109 of the Constitution that said any amendments cannot be signed by the Head of State unless the amendments were agreed upon in a plebiscite.“Our ancestors predicted and knew the kind of dilemma that would face our customary lands hence Section 102 of the Constitution,” he said.

He also gave his opinion as to why he was not re-appointed as the Head of State.

“You Salani were sad when I was not re-appointed, but the reason is customary lands which are owned by heirs – suli of families, but mark my words, the issue will be upon Parliament and the people soon,” he said.

Tupua’s prediction came true after several organizations such as the Samoa Law Society, individuals, villages and districts raised their concern and objection of the 3 Bills.

He emphasized to the gathering that the simple answer to this problem is in the Constitution, a plebiscite.

Technology captures a predominantly oral culture in a new form.

Traditional welcome for the “Tama a Fenunuivao”

The Tama a Fenunuvao, Tupua and his wife, Filifilia Tamasese were welcomed in a royal ava ceremony. A rare occasion, people of all ages congregated at former Member of Parliament for Falealili Fuimaono Te’i’s residence to witness the ceremony and listen to the meeting.

The younger generation in the age of new technology, witnessed the prestigious ceremony and used mobile phones to capture Tupua’s arrival, the ava ceremony, the speeches and the gift presentations and entertainment.