Faleata No.3 MP apologizes to Speaker

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 01 FEBRUARY 2022: The Member of Parliament for Faleata No.3., Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi apologised to the Speaker for comments made when he was kicked out of Parliament for 24 hours yesterday.

At the start of the Parliament session this morning, the Speaker Papali’i Li’oTa’eu Masipa’u noted his disappointment with Lealailepule’s reaction and comments directed at the Chair as he left Parliament which he said “belittled the dignity of the Speaker and Parliament.”

Despite his disappointment, the Speaker said he took into consideration the constituents and the Alii ma Faipule of Faleata No.3. and he was also mindful of the smooth sitting of the business of Parliament and forgave Lealailepule.

Lealailepule in turn asked for a chance to speak and apologized to the Speaker, Parliament and the country for what happened.

Her said for 10 years as an MP, yesterday was the first time he had been kicked out of Parliament which took him by surprise especially that he and the Speaker had been colleagues since their time in the Opposition benches in the past.

Both the Speaker and Lealailepule served as MPs under the Tautua Samoa political party in the past.

Reaching for a cultural reference, Lealailepule appealed to the Speaker that as Papali’i, he was of the Malietoa title who accepted Christianity and asked for his forgiveness of the Faleata 3 MP.

Lealailepule said he respected the Speaker and wished to put what happened yesterday behind and move forward.

The Speaker accepted the apology and again urged all MPs to uphold the dignity of Parliament.