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By Lagi Keresoma<\/p>\n
APIA, SAMOA \u2013 22 OCTOBER 2022:<\/strong> The issue Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa emphasised during the debate on Parliament\u2019s Ethics & Privileges Committee\u2019s recommendation, was the fact that the Opposition MPs Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi have been found guilty of Contempt of Court and Contempt of Parliament.<\/p>\n She said the MPs’ convictions were the core of the matter before Parliament.<\/p>\n She acknowledged Lealailepule\u2019s apology in Parliament and also to his electoral constituency, but emphasised\u00a0how the Opposition Deputy Leader Lauofo Pierre Lauofo who spoke on behalf of the Opposition, tried to avoid the real issue that Tuilaepa and Lealailepule were found guilty of the offences.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead he talked about peace and harmony and said the issue has been politicised.\u201d<\/p>\n On Tuesday this week, the Committee\u2019s Chairman Valasi Tafito Togamaga tabled their recommendations for Parliament to suspend Tuilaepa and Lealailepule for 24 months and stripped them of their Parliamentary privileges.<\/p>\n Speaking on behalf of the Opposition, Deputy Leader Lauofo Fonotoe Pierre Meredith said 24 months is too long a time and the MPs constituencies will be deprived of their voice in parliament. He then talked about working together peacefully and in harmony.<\/p>\n Fiame noted that nothing in\u00a0Lauofo\u2019s\u00a0speech mentioned the word \u201coffence\u201d \u2013 soligatulafono<\/em> – which she said was the core of the longwinded chase on the issue deliberated by Parliament. \u201cWhere is justice if the offence is ignored? Who is penalised and who is pardoned? Is there a different law that applies for us MPs and another for other offenders?\u201d<\/em><\/strong> Fiame asked.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n She then brought up the issue of the Lands and Titles Court President, Fepuleai Atila Ropati who was convicted for a crime by the Court of Appeal but Parliament decided to forgo the conviction and restore him as President.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really saddens me as that is the core of this very issue. And it seems we\u2019re going back to that with the issue before us today. Whereby Members of Parliament are treated differently from others, and Parliament is in the forefront of pushing that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She pointed out that that was the path Lauofo was pushing regarding Tuilaepa and Lealailepule\u2019s offence.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a Member of Parliament and leader, I do not accept it especially when Parliamentarians as lawmakers, must set an example,\u201d she said. The Prime Minister responded that the rule of law is the foundation of Samoa\u2019s democracy and everyone resorts to the Court including Parliamentarians.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is evidence of parliamentary matters already dealt with by the Court, and matters pertaining to you Tuilaepa and Lealailepule are not different from any other MPs, and the Court has pointed out natural justice where opportunities are given to the people involved to be heard.<\/p>\n \u201cSo Parliament has responded and revisited its decision and the lessons learnt from what happened now sets the foundation for penalties against MPs who may breach Parliament’s Ethics and Privileges\u00a0in the future,\u201d said Fiame.<\/p>\n\u201cEveryone wants peace and personally as a leader, if we are not honest in working together to uphold and respect Parliament, then there is no truth there,\u201d<\/em> <\/strong>Fiame said.<\/span><\/a><\/span>\n She then pointed out 24 May 2022, the last day of forty five days stipulated in the Constitution for Parliament to convene after the general election. Yet, when the elected party Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi-FAST arrived at Parliament to be sworn in, the door was padlocked\u00a0with police guarding the main entrance.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was at the beginning of this parliament that it emerged that there was no respect and regard for the integrity of Samoa\u2019s Parliament,\u201d said Fiame.<\/p>\n The swearing in proceeded under a tent outside parliament, but none of the Opposition Party MPs were present.<\/p>\n
\nWhen given the opportunity to respond to the penalty, Lealailepule apologised to his constituency. Tuilaepa however said parliament\u2019s integrity was tarnished when its decision was overturned by the Court when he sought for redress on the decision of parliament against him.<\/p>\n