Speaker Clarifies Misinformation on the Parliamentary Commission Meeting

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 14 February 2025 – Parliament Speaker Papalii Li’o Ta’eu Masipa’u has cleared the air regarding the issues discussed by the Parliamentary Commission on 17^th January 2025.

The Commission consists of the Speaker, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition and met at a time when there were many speculations about the political crisis that the Speaker was pressured to terminate the seats of the Prime Minister and five Cabinet Ministers sacked by the FAST Party.

In a statement, the Speaker said that the public have been misled by information that the meeting was a discussion of the current political crisis within the FAST Party.

“That is not correct,” stated the Speaker.

“The Commission’s recent meeting was in accordance with Standing Order 170 (g) which requires the Commission to confirm the Annual Sitting Programme 2025/2026 of the Legislative Assembly,” he said.

The meeting also confirmed the nomination of members of various Parliamentary Committees.

“These are clear and defined roles, and any suggestions otherwise is a misinterpretation of the Standing Orders and these were the only agenda items discussed at the meeting,” he said.

The Speaker also emphasised that he never urged the Leader of the Opposition not to send members to attend Parliament Committee meetings.

“In light of the post circulating on Facebook alongside the photo of the Speaker presiding in the Chamber, which wrongly alleges that I wrote to the Leader of the Opposition urging members not to attend Parliamentary Committee meetings,” said Papalii.

He said the integrity of his role as a Speaker is affected by such misinformation and why it is important to set the record straight.

He noted the importance of the Speaker’s independent role in conducting his duties and uphold parliamentary procedures.

“Unfortunately, there has been a spread of false and misleading information regarding my response to the leader of the Opposition in my letter dated 10^th February 2025, the interpretation circulating on social media is incorrect and I urge the public to refer to the original document to understand the facts,” he said.

Speaker has no power to vacate an MP’s seat
Papali’i also responded suggestions that the Speaker has the power to vacate the seats of the 6 MPs terminated by FAST and are currently Cabinet Ministers.

“I would like to clarify that this is not the case. As I clearly stated during the Parliamentary sitting on 21 January 2025, the Speaker and Parliament have no power under the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2019, Legislative Power & Privileges Ordinance 1960 and Standing Orders to declare these members’ seats vacant,” he said.

The Speaker also reaffirmed that the alleged legislations have been passed and endorsed by the previous Government which is HRPP.

The Speaker has been publicly criticised even by the FAST Party supporters alleging that his inaction amounts to him not supporting the party anymore.

“Let me be clear, this is a matter for the Court, however, the Speaker and Parliament have no authority in all legislations mentioned to take this matter to the court,” he said.

He urged the public to be patient and refrain from spreading misleading and false information and respect the due cause of the law and await the courts decisions on these matters.