3 Senior Opposition MPs to be investigated for treason

Apia, SAMOA – 13 March 2026 – Samoa’s longest serving Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, his Deputy Lauofo Pierre Lauofo and HRPP Secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi will be investigated for treason and defamation.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt moved a motion before parliament rose last night for the three to be investigated and charged for making defamatory remarks against the ruling government as well as treason.

Before moving the motion, Laauli told the House that since the constitutional and political impasse following the 2021 elections where Tuilaepa and HRPP lost power after 22 years, the defamatory and slanderous remarks had the three charged for contempt of court and Tuilaepa and Lealailepule were convicted.

But it did not stop there, as the defamatory and treasonous statements continued on mainstream and social media until last year’s elections where the Laauli led FAST Party convincingly defeated Tuilaepa and the HRPP.

“But the statements against the Prime Minister and government continued,” the Prime Minister stated.

“We have exhausted every humanly connection to try resolve the antagonism – family connections, religious connections, the cultural and chiefly connections and all other avenues and we thought the derogatory statements will cease; but they continued,” Laauli said.

“Why? Because of the underlying antagonism that they have lost power and their failure to accept the people’s verdict who elected me and the FAST Party to lead the country,” he said.

The Prime Minister said he meditated and prayed hard about what to do in order to heal the division throughout the country due to the antagonistic narrative towed by the party leaders.

He said he originally thought to take this action during the end of year session in December 2025.

“However, the spirit of Christmas prevailed then, and I thought that maybe the spirit to end the antagonism and heal the division,” he told Parliament.

However, a heated exchange in parliament on Wednesday night and yesterday’s morning session during the debate to establish the District Development Authority, again brought up the same narrative.

Tuilaepa again called Laauli a liar and Lealailepule said that Laauli’s term as Prime Minister will be short-lived.

In a ten minute long Ministerial Statement, the Prime said there are 200 pieces of evidence of media and public statements that will be handed to the Speaker to be investigated by the Privileges Committee of Parliament for any breaches.

Secondly, he said the same evidence will be submitted to the Attorney Generals’ Office for investigation for defamation and treason.

Thirdly, the police will investigate the previous accusations by Tuilaepa and Lealailepule of Laauli and the wife of a late MPs involvement in the unresolved hit and run incident that killed of a university student in April 2021.

He said police will also investigate the reports of a conspiracy to assassinate him in 2021 that were submitted to the police but was never acted upon.

Also, 8 media outlets will also be investigated for defamation, inciting and treason.

The Prime Minister said he believes that this is the only way to restore respect between people because of the divisive and derogatory narrative that had been promoted by the political leaders.

The Ministerial Statement was then tabled, and as of parliament’s Standing Orders, can only be debated in a later date.

The Deputy HRPP Leader, Lauofo Pierre Lauofo responded on behalf of the Opposition and MPs and thanked the Speaker, Prime Minister and Government for the three days session that passed the District Development Authority Bill, a crucial legislation that will guide the economic and social development of individual villages and districts.

He also asked for forgiveness for any of the statements considered harsh expressed during the course of the three-day session.

Parliament is now adjourned until 2 May 2026.