Mandatory drug tests for MPs sparks heated debate in Parliament

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 24 June 2026: Parliament started off this morning in a heated debate between the Speaker Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua and former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa over the mandatory drug tests for all MPs this afternoon.

Before Parliament rose last night, the Speaker announced that drug tests for all MPs will take place after this afternoon’s session ends at 1.00pm.

As parliament was set to continue the budget debate this morning, former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa asked for a clarification from the Speaker as to the impact of the drug tests on the MPs parliamentary seat (if tested positive) and where to draw the line on other issues the government will apply mandatory requirements against the MPs constitutional rights.

Speaker told Fiame of her freedom not to be tested
Fiame continued to question the impact of the drug test on her as an MP especially the constituency seat she represents.

The Speaker the told Fiame that if she does not want to be tested, that is her decision. But as intended by the Government, the MPs as the country’s leaders and should support and set an example in the current fight against a growing menace.

Fiame said she is not against the mandate mentioned but insisted that Parliamentarians are voted by the constituencies and are different from Government employees.

“If you do not want to do it, that is your decision, but the public servants are under the Government and everyone is governed by one and the same law; and if you’re an MP or something else, you are under the same law,” the Speaker explained.

Fiame again referred to the authority of the Constitution and pointed out what the next steps would be (if an MP is tested positive).

The Speaker also reminded Parliament of the COVID 19 pandemic where the Government then mandated injection for everyone.

Auapaau said it is the same mandate but different issues and the call for illegal drug tests today is for leaders to set an example for the country.

Fiame failed to act on the drugs problem
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa took the floor and accused Fiame of doing nothing to combat the illegal drugs problem in the country when she was Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said the drug tests is an initiative by the Public Service Commission and already launched nationally and he was the first to be tested. He also explained that a drug teste will be a requirement for any public servant going forward.

Laauli expressed sadness over Fiame’s opposition then reminded her of a letter by a “Concerned Citizen” who wrote to her in 2022 and copied all Cabinet Ministers then for the Government to act on the drugs problem then.

Fiame responded that the letter was not from the police.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Fiame’s and other previous governments inaction have resulted in the scale of the problem now.

“This is a problem that dates back 20 years, and it was only recent that the police have arrested 200 people in relation to illegal drug offences,” the Prime Minister said.

“It so serious now that we now have Samoans recruited to commit a murder in Vietnam. Why? Its illegal drugs,” Laauli stated.

The leader of the Opposition, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi reminded the Speaker that such testing should not have been announced earlier but should have been kept random.

“Should have been kept as a surprise not to give MPs a chance to make excuses,” he said.

The Speaker then informed Fiame and all MPs that his decision was final and that drug testing for MPs starts today.

Laauli again referred to Fiame’s views to have a separate law to govern Parliament when it comes to drug testing. He said Cabinet is meeting today and will consider the need for a separate law to guide drug testing for parliamentarians against illegal drugs.