The world sits captivated as the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party writes its own chapter in Samoa’s history.
It is a story with plot twists and tails that Tusitala himself could have written.
It would make for a great comedy of errors if it was not so tragic.
We can only hope that our economy will withstand the impact that the current political uncertainty will have on investor and donor confidence as well as our credit worthiness.
In such times, we must all support our Police and village leaders’ efforts in ensuring law and order.
For 4 years, Samoa has suffered at the hands of a Kakistocracy that refused to put the needs of the nation and people above their personal interests.
The nation’s endless patience was taken for granted as they learned their new role during their “on the job training,” a luxury that no new government in the world gets.
It was simple.
All the ruling Party needed to do was carry out the development projects that were handed to them by previous governments.
They could have taken the credit, and Samoa would have benefited.
Instead, from day one, the Party leadership wanted to settle personal scores by targeting political rivals and their families.
This was coupled with an obsession with outdated development strategies including shortsighted and wasteful village gimmick schemes, at the expense of national development projects.
Not long ago, the FAST Party was globetrotting, dancing, singing songs and reaching into the pockets of hard-working Samoans.
Meanwhile, the work of parliamentary committees sat incomplete, roads and hospitals deteriorated, cost of living skyrocketed, crime and drug abuse increased, and bills went unpaid.
For the first time in history, Samoa and its diaspora experienced a government that spent more time fundraising for its political and private agenda than actually developing the nation!
For 4 years, there were many warnings from all parts of the community, calling on the ruling Party to uphold the rule of law.
And for 4 years, these calls went ignored!
Upholding the rule of law, accountability and transparency is easier said than done.
Facing the consequences of their actions, we now watch as the Party Leadership scrambles to pick up the pieces.
As another famous Scot said, “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practiced to deceive.”
With elections only one year out, the FAST Party’s newfound commitment to the rule of law is just too little and too late.
Nevertheless, it is a good start!
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Leader of HRPP