HRPP says appointment of District Development Chairpersons politically motivated

HRPP says appointment of District Development Chairpersons politically motivated

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 15 July 2026 – The Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) has claimed in court that the appointments of the District Development Chairpersons were “politically motivated.”

This was presented by Dr. Rodney Harrison representing HRPP in their argument on the first day of the court case against the Government.

Central to the argument is the Cabinet’s decision in appointing all the Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party Members of Parliament and unsuccessful FAST candidates in last years general election as Chairpersons.

Harrison explained the chronology of the application notice for the chairperson position to the timeline provided and the implementation period.

Dr. Harrison clarified to the Court that on 6 November 2025, the application notice was published but the approved amended guidelines were only done on 26 November 2025.

He argued that the applications provided for the position was based on the original guideline which means the applicants were not aware of the changes in the guidelines and policies which the Steering Committees decision was based upon.

Dr. Harrison believes the MPs were unaware of the changes to the guidelines which were approved much later in November, but they have already submitted their applications.

The applications and protest letter
Dr. Harrison also raised concern over the Steering Committees handling of the HRPP MPs applications and the protest letter attached to some of the HRPP MPs applications.

According to Dr. Harrison and based on HRPP Secretary, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi’s statement, the protest letter was different from the application, but somehow, the Committee took as if Lealailepule was against the project.

In several press conferences, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt had indicated that some of HRPP MPs did not apply but sent only the protest letter.

Dr. Harrison informed the court of the Falealupo MP Leota Tima Leavai’s statement that she did apply and she also sent the protest letter, but the Steering Committee said she never applied.

One of the instances raised by Dr. Harrison was the case of the Faleata 2 district.

“The chairperson is a FAST member who was disqualified as a candidate prior to the election, yet she is a chairperson,” he said.

He said the Cabinet decision reflects the kind of leadership and their decision was unfair and unreasonable and was politically motivated.

The counsels involved are Benjamin Keith and Muriel Lui for the Attorney General’s Office representing Laaulialemalietoa, Fetu Lagaaia representing FAST as the Intervenor and Magele Leone Sua representing Leatinuu Wayne Fong of the Samoa Uniting Party.

Fiame Naomi Mataafa stands in support of HRPP claim.

The case continues.