Prime Minister Apologizes for the Division within Government

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 22 January 2025 – Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has apologized to the country for the division within the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party with confidence in her leadership central to the divisions.

Her apology was presented through a Ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday.

She noted that the tension stemmed from the criminal charges filed by police against former Cabinet Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt.

She reiterated her commitment to the rule of law.

Fiame noted that tensions within a political party is not new to Samoa and she referred to 1982 when Samoa went through three changes of Government and the government lost power when its budget failed to pass. Then in 1985, the MPs crossed the floor to set up a coalition government and the HRPP only managed to come back as the government in the 1988 general election.

The process according to Fiame is, if there is no confidence in the Government or leader, the Prime Minister either resigns of advise the Head of State to dissolve parliament and call for fresh elections.

Since the current division within the FAST party, Fiame as its leader and 5 senior Cabinet Ministers have been terminated as members of the party and there have been a lot of speculations about a looming vote of confidence and a call for a snap election.

However, on Monday this week, the FAST Party’s new Leader Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt told the country that the caucus has resolved that there is no need for a snap election as it will add an undue burden on the country and the economy.

In her ministerial statement, Fiame said the position of Prime Minister is an appointment by Parliament and only Parliament can declare it void, and she is ready to accept any decision regarding the issue of no confidence but in the meantime she and Cabinet will continue with the daily duties of running the government.

Call for the Public Servants to remain apolitical
Fiame also said the impact of political division has affected the country and as much the public servants.

She called on the public servants to carry out their normal duties in serving the Government of the day and leave the politics to the politicians.

The Leader of the Opposition and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, seconded the motion to table the Prime Minister’s ministerial statement for discussion on a later date.

Tuilaepa reminded parliament that when he and his party were sworn in as MPs in September 2021, he told Fiame that the Opposition was ready to give her government 500% support.