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Commission of Inquiry Compromises Parliament’s Independence
Samoa’s Parliament in session.
By Lagi Keresoma
APIA, SAMOA – 03 MARCH 2021: The Commission of Inquiry moved by the Prime Minister last night to investigate the four Opposition MPs, will further compromise Parliaments independence.
This is the view of the former Speaker of Parliament and one of the four MPs called to be investigated, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao.
Speaking briefly to Talamua after the motion was passed by Parliament in its final session last night, La’auli said he will clarify his views in a press conference called for 12 midday today after the country’s 16th Parliament is dissolved at 1000 this morning.
He however said Parliament has its own rules and mechanisms to investigate any issues pertaining to Members but appointing a Commission of Inquiry from outside parliament compromises parliament’s integrity and independence.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi moved to set up a Commission of Inquiry under the 1964 Act to investigate if the four MPs breached the Standing Orders by not attending the parliament sessions between 19 January and 02 March 2021 without the official approval of the Speaker.
The 4 MPs in a joint billboard for the April general elections.
The MPs are Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao, Chairman of the FAST political party; MPs Olo Fiti Vaai and Leatinuu Wayne Sooialo who have declared their candidacy under the FAST party for the April general elections and former Deputy Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, who had been a guest speaker during the FAST meetings with the electoral constituencies in the country.
Treason
The Commission is also to investigate if the four MPs actions amounted to “treason” given what they said during the political rallies that were aired on TV, Radio and social media.
The PM said the investigation is to protect the integrity of Parliament from such actions from happening again in the future.
The motion was moved as the 16th Parliaments final matter before the acknowledgement speeches before the House rose to be dissolved this morning.
The Commission according to the Prime Minister will consist of a retired Supreme Court Judge, the Ombudsman and a senior private lawyer.
The Commission will have a three months’ working timeframe and its report will be submitted to the Clerk of the House.
When the motion was moved and passed, La’auli tried several times to seek the Speakers permission to speak on the issue but was not given a chance.
It was then the four MPs left the House while the Prime Minister was starting his final acknowledgement speech for the term.
After a long exchange based on the traditional fa’atau to seek someone to respond to the Prime Minister, the honour went to the Speaker, Toleafoa Faafisi who is retiring after 30 years in Parliament.
The four MPs have called a press conference at 1200 today to clarify their position following the Prime Minister’s motion for a Commission of Inquiry into their actions.
