Appointment of Interim Attorney General based on Trust, says PM

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 19 January 2026 – The appointment of Mauga Precious Chang as the Interim Attorney General was based on Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt’s trust in her.

Laauli confirmed at a press conference today that Mauga’s appointment is temporary as the process to recruit a permanent Attorney General is in progress.

Questions have been raised over Mauga’s appointment especially when she had represented the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party in several legal matters.

Laauli said the FAST Partys relationship with Mauga was not new.

He said Mauga had stood by FAST through many challenges and the Government will choose someone they can trust and rely on.

“I do not pick just anyone I do not trust,” he said.

Mauga is not new to working at the Attorney General’s office as she and Muriel Lui led the National Prosecution Office (NPO) before it was dissolved by the HRPP Government.

“I prefer someone the Government can trust rather than appointing someone whose loyalty is not with the Government,” said the Prime Minister.

Mauga takes over from Su’a Helene Wallwork Lamb whose term ended last Tuesday.