Politics
PM Appeals to La’auli to forgive Safata MP who Misled Parliament
By Lagi Keresoma/
Apia, Samoa – 21 January 2025 – The FAST Party Leader Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt has forgiven the Safata MP, Lea’ana Ronnie Posini who a Special Parliamentary Committee found guilty of misleading Parliament.
The Committee investigated the accusations made by the MP when Laauli was the Minister of Agriculture that Laauli was hiding behind the New Zealand based Tautai A’e Radio Program that made malicious accusations against a senior District Court judge.
The Parliamentary Committee was led by the Deputy Speaker, Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua and their report was debated this morning.
Auapaau informed Parliament that their Committee found no concrete evidence to prove that Laauli was hiding behind the Tautai A’e program. He also highlighted the Attorney General’s opinion of no proof.
The report and debate was visibly based on party lines with the Opposition arguing that the matter was minor and that the MP be let go in the spirit of forgiveness that started the addresses for the parliament first session for the year.
The Opposition MPs also argued that the report was signed by four members of the nine member committee. However, the Chairman Auapaau corrected the record that 5 members did sign while 4 Opposition MPs were hard to find to sign he report.
The report also recommended to suspend Lea’ana for 3 days and withhold his salary as a penalty to prevent other MPs from making accusations under parliamentary privilege that they cannot prove.
However Cabinet Minister Olo Fiti Vaai and supported by Opposition MPs pointed out that the Covemmittee’s investigation had gone beyond its terms of reference which did not include making recommendations for penalties.
Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said it is a minor issue and sometimes uttered in a humorous spirit in Parliament.
Laauli the took the floor and highlighted that he had been negatively impacted by the malicious accusations but the Committee’s investigations have cleared his name.
The Opposition Leader then drew the debate to Laauli’s reference to him as Laaulialemalietoa with Tuilaepa saying that there is “no Laaulialemalietoa in Parliament.”
Laauli responded to keep the debate to the issue which is the Committee’s report and that his constituency is addressing the Laaulialemalietoa title in Court.
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa then took the floor and reiterated the Committees core findings that cleared Laauli and that Leaana was wrong.
She then prayed to Laauli, “Isn’t it not enough to leave it here…and forgive and move forward,” said the Prime Minister.
SIMILAR PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE 2020 CASE
An emotional Laauli then reminded Parliament of a similar scenario in 2020 where the Parliamentary Committee who investigated his accusations on a generator that should have costed $50,000 but was allocated $300,000 to purchase and he was found guilty and the Committee recommended a penalty of 3 months removal and without a salary and benefits.
“And no one (in parliament) prayed to save me,” he said “and it was the reason why I resigned and walked out of parliament,” Laauli stated.
“Yet, today, you want to let Lea’ana walk off without a penalty?” he asked.
Then he said he has forgiven the MP and that despite the differences and tension experienced by the FAST Party, he accepted Fiame’s urging.
“Despite the differences, my respect for you Fiame remains. Because you are the leader that I elected and pointed to, to lead the country. I accept your wish,” Laauli stated.
He then turned towards Lea’ana and said “I forgive you” which prompted loud clapping from MPs and members of the public in the parliament gallery.
Lea’ana then took the floor and apologized to the Speaker, the Prime Minister, Parliament and Laauli.
He also acknowledged Laauli for forgiving him.
The Prime Minister then moved an amended motion that removed the penalty as the Committee recommended but the findings against the Satafa MP remain. The motion was passed right on time for Parliament to rise for the day.