“Commission of Inquiry is a Political Ploy,” says Fiamē

The Prime Minister’s motion to investigate the four MPs, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao, Leatinu’u Faumuina Wayne Fong and Olo Fiti Vaai for treason.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 04 MARCH 2021: The former Deputy Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa has labelled the motion by Prime Minister to set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate her and other three former Members of Parliament as a political ploy.

Fiamē pointed out that everyone is aware of what’s happening and with the dissolution of Parliament yesterday, the next step is the general election in five weeks.

“Put aside whether the motion for an inquiry is right or wrong, the bottom line is, it’s a political ploy to show the public that he has the power and to do it,” said Fiamē.

She also challenged if such a Commission would have “teeth” as they are now all former MPs.

The four MPs targeted are Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi, Leatinu’u Faumuina Wayne Fong and Olo Fiti Vaai.

La’auli in support of Fiamē, said the motion was Tuilaepa’s last attempt from within Parliament to tarnish their reputation and that of the FAST political party ahead of the general elections.

“Last night was the last Parliament session and I believe it should have been a joyous occasion, reconciliation, forgiveness, but sadly, we left with heavy hearts.” said La’auli.

The former Speaker emphasized that the motion was unconstitutional.

“The Prime Minister has breached Parliament’s Standing Orders and the Constitution and he is riding not only on the numbers in the Human Rights Protection Party, but also on his salutation as the leader of the house –Ta’ita’i o le Maota.”

The Prime Minister has been using the parliament session that ran from 19 January to 02 March to attack and discredit the FAST political party’s rallies in the electoral constituencies.

He said the rallies, fronted by the four MPs, are a foreign idea and that they were distributing false information through sharing what the party plans to carry out if they become the next government after the general elections.

The Prime Minister’s motion sets up the Commission of Inquiry to investigate if the MPs had breached the Standing Orders by not attending the parliament sessions and what they said were “treasonous”.

The Prime Minster and several MPs have indicated that something be done to the MPs as they have been absent from parliament to attend to their political rallies.

However, the Speaker insisted to leave it with him.

La’auli said the power and authority over Parliament to make decisions rests on the Speaker, and the matter regarding their absence should have been addressed by a Committee of Parliament.

La’auli said they wrote to the Speaker to excuse themselves as the parliament session has dragged on for seven weeks when Parliament should have been dissolved in January.

“That was another ploy to disrupt our election rallies and talk with the voters about our plans, so we wrote letters to excuse ourselves for two weeks,” he said.

“And now they tell us we were not given permission, so why were we not informed about it then rather than criticizing and slandering us during his speeches in Parliament.”

Legitimacy of the motion against the former MPs
The motion moved the night before Parliament was dissolved raised the legitimacy of the motion against the accused who were also asked if they would take legal action.

La’auli said legally they are no longer MPs “so what is the basis of the motion?”

“Parliament is dissolved and everything closed and all matters lapsed,” he said.

The Executive’s power over the other arms of Government
The Prime Ministers move further proves the Executives power encroaching on to the other arms of government – Parliament and the Judiciary.

It is an issue that Fiamē had been sharing with the voters in various constituencies – the threat to the rule of law and government “weaponsing” the law to do what the Government wants to do.

Fiamē also referred to the Executives interference with the Judiciary’s decision on the Lands and Title Court President, Fepulea’i Atila who was found guilty of an assault charge.

“Tuilaepa handed the decision over to a Parliamentary Committee to investigate if the Judiciary’s decision was correct and that is another instance of the Executive over stepping its role in questioning the independence of the Judiciary,” said Fiamē.

Call for calm
Despite all the criticism and accusations against FAST and her members, Fiamē and Laauli have called on Samoa to remain calm.

“Nothing is happening – E leai se mea o tupu.” said Fiame.  

“O oli ma foli o le faiga palota,” said Fiame.