Safata 2 MP confirms he is switching to the FAST Party 

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 1 April 2026: The Member of Parliament for Safata 2 district, Tuia Paepae Letoa is confident with his planned switch from HRPP to the FAST party after the district met today.

After the district’s meeting, Tuia confirmed with Talamua Media that he was switching to the ruling FAST Party and puts to rest the rumours that have been circulating for some time about him leaving HRPP.

Tuia said the move was easy because it has the backing of all the sub-villages that make up Safata 2 district.

Asked about the reason why he was switching from HRPP to the FAST Party, he said it was for the benefit of the district and that the district fully supports the move.

In a meeting last weekend, a talking chief of Safata voiced his concerns about the impolite comments made by the HRPP Leader against their MP and suggested that it was time to make the switch.

Asked how his former party leader reacted to the move, Tuia said “No response; but a good leader will reach out when one of his sheep tends to move away.”

Tuia however said that he will formally inform the HRPP leadership and party about his decision.

“I will write a letter to the HRPP leader to thank him and the party for their support and my decision based on my district’s verdict,” he said.

Tuia is aware of the negative vibes against him on social media. “I will not give weight to things that are not important,” he told Talamua.

He said he will meet with the FAST chairman who is also the Prime Minister in due course.

Tuia’s switch will be the second HRPP MP to defect since the August 2025 general election and he needs to resign his seat and go back to a by-election for Safata 2 district.

If Tuia comes through in the by-election with the FAST Party support, it means both the Safata 1 and Safata 2 seats are in support of the ruling government.

Other than the District Development Project which the MP will chair, the Safata district is also in the process of distributing $10m tala compensation for the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui at the Tafitoala reef.