MP removed in heated exchange over parliamentary privileges

Staff Reporters

APIA, SAMOA – 04 MAY 2022: The Opposition Member of Parliament, Sulamanaia Fetaiai Tauiliili Tuivasa of the Vaimauga No1 constituency was removed from parliament this morning when the Prime Minister moved a motion for the Sargent of Arms to remove the MP after he shouted over a heated verbal exchange.

The MP joined the exchange that heated up after the Opposition Leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, shouted at the Speaker of being biased. Then the Minister of Agriculture, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao called for calm and defended the Speaker “against the MPs rudeness.”

The exchange started after the Speaker gave his ruling and found that the complaint against Tuilaepa and MP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi be referred to the Privileges Committee for their investigation and to report back in its next sitting on 17 May.

He named the Committee members and the terms of reference and for the committee to report back to parliament in the next session.

The Speaker also read out the complaint filed by the Deputy Prime Minister against Tuilaepa and Lealailepule on a matter of parliamentary privilege.

Tuilaepa however asked why their responses were not read out as submitted to the Speaker. But the Speaker explained that the members will have a chance to voice their views and respond in the Committee’s investigation and as well when the report is discussed in Parliament.

Tuilaepa said the issue has been rushed through by the Speaker and that “he observed the Speaker’s voice was shaky and the complaint has been read out but not their responses.”

After he shouted at the Speaker “for being biased”, the Speaker told him to sit down as he has been rude. To which Tuilaepa responded that the Speaker had been just as rude.

The Speaker then warned the Member that a motion can easily be moved to remove him “but I’m counting on you a senior Member of the House.”

MP Lealailepule again took the floor and accused La’auli of discussing parliamentary matters last night “matters that pertain to parliament.”

When La’auli called for calm and in defence of the Speaker, Tuilaepa was up again saying “we are not children,” and accused La’auli as one of the persons who had often misbehaved in parliament.

La’auli called on Tuilaepa to be calm and he said that Tuilaepa is the one who was convicted according to a decision of the court, “but it is your rudeness against the Speaker that is the reason I am up.”

As the verbal exchange heated up, the volume of the audio of the debate was turned down and inaudible for some time.

When the volume of the Speaker’s voice came up again, calling for order and for Members to remain calm, the Vaimauga No.1. MP was heard shouting above all the other voices.

“Omai kakou pigi i i,” – Come lets fight.

It was when the Prime Minister got up. “What is the meaning of this member shouting inside Parliament?” she asked the Speaker.

“I move the Sargent at Arms remove him from the Chambers,” then turning to the Member, the Prime Minister said, “You’ve been very rude.”

As the Sargent approached the Member to leave, he addressed the Speaker saying he had only been trying to stop the exchange of people talking at the same time when they should stop and respect the Speaker when he addresses the House.”

La’auli then told the Vaimauga No1 Member about their disorderly behaviour shown towards the Speaker and it was their duty to protect the dignity of the Speaker and Parliament.

The Member then apologized to the Speaker and the Prime Minister and the Members. The Speaker told him the motion has been moved and passed for him to vacate his seat.

The Member was removed for 24 hours and should be back for the parliament session on 17 May when the Privileges Committee is expected to table its report.

Following the heated morning exchange, Parliament managed to get through the second reading of the Labour Relations Bill which is now with the Bills Committee.

Before the session ended, Tuilaepa again apologized for the morning’s exchange saying what had been said stayed within parliament.