Speaker says the Opposition Leader’s smear campaign misleads the public

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 20 January 2026 – Parliament Speaker Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua Mulipola told parliament the Opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi’s smear campaign against him is misleading the public and belittles public confidence and respect in the Parliamentary chair.

At the opening of the first Parliament sitting 2026 today, the Speaker noted how the Opposition Leader continues to belittle and sends out disinformation on social media against him as Speaker.

The Speaker said although the comments were said outside of Parliament, he however decided to respond and address the issue as the Speaker in Parliament.

Attack on Speaker
The smear campaign started from the December 2025 sitting where Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt delivered a ministerial speech.

As with the Parliament Standing Orders, any ministerial statement is tabled then placed in Parliament working schedule for discussion at a future date.

However, the Opposition leader moved a motion to table the statement, and have it discussed in that session. The Speaker clarified that the Opposition Leaders motion was not seconded, even by a member of his own party and was never put to the question.

When parliament raise for the morning break, Tuilaepa uttered a swear word at the Prime Minister.

The swearing issue was reported to the Speaker and when parliament returned, the Speaker suspended Tuilaepa for 24 hours.

Tuilaepa then went on social media claiming that the Speaker had limited opportunities for Members of Parliament to speak and that what he said and interpreted as swearing, was done said in a light-hearted manner.

Weaponizing freedom of speech
The Speaker however stated that while Freedom of speech is a human right guaranteed under the Constitution, such right is unfettered and it must not be abused to harm the freedom of others. Auapaau said freedom of expression and speech should not be weaponized to create tension between people or belittle someone.

He said what the Opposition leader said was not true and he believes it should be corrected.

“I do not limit opportunities for MPs to speak on issues before Parliament,” he said.

He also reminded the Opposition leader that when he moved the motion to deliberate on the Prime Minister’s ministerial speech, his party members did not support him, yet he dished out false information publicly.

The Speaker also emphasized that the words he threw at the Prime Minister were done in Parliament while he was sitting on the Lepa district’s parliamentary seat.

“Parliament is only officially over when the mace is removed from parliament and the Opposition leader’s words were said while the mace was still in the House,” said the Speaker.

He noted that what the Opposition leader said, “misled the country and that the Speaker is new and do not understand his role.” He even referred to the Speaker as a “boy”.

The Speaker interpreted what the Opposition leader said that he as Speaker is stupid.

The Speaker also emphasized that as Parliamentarians and as leaders of their families and representatives of their respective districts, the Members Oaths also called for respect for each other as Members of Parliament.

Speaker bans Opposition leader sunglass in parliament
The Speaker noted that when the Opposition leader regularly wears dark sunglasses inside parliament. But when he gives press conferences, he does press conferences and social media interviews, he does so without them.

“It tells me that your vision is good; so unless I receive a medical certificate from an ophthalmologist, I will not allow you to wear your sunglasses inside Parliament,” said the Speaker.

Tuilaepa did not respond to the Speakers clarification.