“They did not apply but instructed me to accept them as Chairpersons” says Minister

Apia, SAMOA – 10 February 2026 – The Minister of Women Social Development & Community (MWSDC) Moefaauouo Julius Ah Kui Tafuna’i is obviously fed up with the misinformation and derogatory inferences by four HRPP Members of Parliament regarding their rejection as Chairs of their respective District Development Councils.

The Minister called a press conference to set the record straight that despite what the MPs have been telling the public through the media, they did not apply.

Moreover, these HRPP MPs have been instructing him to accept them as Chairpersons of their District Councils – Fonofaavae.

The MPs, including the Leader of the Opposition, have been referring to the Minister and the interviewing panel as “kids” that they, as MPs, have no equal standing to be interviewed by the panel.

To be very clear that the MPs did not apply, Moefaauouo showed the media copies of the MPs letters and read them out openly at the press conference.

He started with Faleata 3 MP Lealilepule Rimoni Aiafi who wrote to the Minister to accept him as Chairperson based on being elected as the districts MP 5 consecutive times, he said represents the district’s support.

He also said there were no issues pertaining to the project during his time as MP.

“He did not send any application letter for the Chairs’ position but only a letter instructing me and the Ministry,” Moefa’auouo explained.

For Faasaleleaga 2, the MP Vaaelua Senetenari Samau’s letter was to appoint him as Chairman because the district has trusted him as evident after the general election.

“If you listen to the tone of the letter, it is instructing me, the Minister and followed by a three-page letter that objects and queries the changes to the Project guidelines and process for the appointment of Chairpersons,” said Moefaauouo.

For Falealupo MP Aeau Tima Leavai, the Minister said she provided only a copy of her curriculum vitae (CV) and a letter indicating her objection to the changes but no application letter for the position.

As for Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, the Minister said the letter actually said that he (Tuilaepa) is the Chairman of Lepa and was directed at the Chief Executive Officer of the ministry.

The Minister believes the tone of the letters is to “instruct the minister and ministry to directly appoint them as chairpersons” without following the process of applying.

Moefaauouo said the Government’s initial stance is to protect the project and lessons learnt from the past handling of the project by then MPs that led to the adoption of new changes to the guidelines.

Chair and co-chair share responsibilities
Both the Chair and Co-chair share equal responsibility in handling the district development project.

Whilst they both sign in the district bank accounts, the Chair’s signature is compulsory.

Culturally, Tuilaepa is my son says Minister
Moefaauouo said he has been criticised and ridiculed since taking over the District Development Project portfolio and has been called “a kid” by the Opposition Leader Tuilaepa.

He said Tuilaepa has belittled him and derogatory remarks said against him.

The Minister then explained the contextual cultural relationship of the Atua District between himself as Lufilufi and Tuilaepa.

“Culturally, Tuilaepa is my son and within Lufilufi setting, I am the Matua and he (Tuilaepa) listens and obey Lufilufi,” he said. (O Lufilufi, o a’u o le Matua, O ia (Tuilaepa) e fa’alogo ma usitaia i le mea e fai atu ai Lufilufi e fai.)

Moefaauouo said in the Government setting, Tuilaepa is the Leader of the Opposition and he  is the Minister for a Ministry and the Minister does not listen to the Leader of the Opposition, but the Opposition leader listens to the Minister of Cabinet.

He also said he will take constructive advice from the Opposition Leader but if they are baseless, he will let it pass.

He reminded that Tuilaepa has lost two general elections against the FAST Party and yet continues to instruct the government as if he is still the Prime Minister.

He also referred to Tuilaepa’s long service in Government and at his age, should provide constructive advice to government. Lastly, he wished the Opposition leader well.