By Staff Writer
The Minister of Works, Papali’i Niko Lee Hang, is not in a happy place at being publicly branded a liar at a sensitive time with the general elections only a few days to go.
Papali’i circulated a media statement to defend against a ‘blatant lie’ by an angry FAST deputy leader La’auli Leuatea Schmidt, at not being allowed to install party election billboards at the Salelologa Wharf.
The flare-up with the Minister is the latest in a series of early protest reactions in the villages, to unwanted frictions created by the party election billboards.
Papali’i’s letter to the media disclosed in full details what went on behind the unsuccessful attempts by his political adversary who lashed out in retaliation with trash talk about the Minister.
The letter under the heading ‘ Minister Orders FAST Billboards Removed – Setting The Record Straight’ is reprinted below in full :
I only gave FAST the approval to install their billboards at the Mulifanua Wharf, after receiving a written request from Honorable Faumuina Wayne Fong, copy of his letter attached, I gave the said approval after their request was sincerely endorsed with a clean heart by the Honorable Prime Minister.
The allegations by Honorable Laauli Leuatea that I was not telling the truth and persistently calling me a liar, is way far beyond the truth. The statements made by Laauli that he called me personally and talked to me about their billboards to be installed at Salelologa Wharf, and that I had given him the green light to go ahead, is a blatant lie.
The fact is, Laauli never ever called me personally and talked to me about any billboards to be installed at Salelologa, hence I never authorised the green light as he alluded to.
I was surprised to see the huge FAST billboards already installed at Salelologa when we visited Savaii to launch our HRPP Manifesto on Friday 19th March, hence my direct instruction to SSC Management to remove the billboards immediately, as they were never considered and approved.
To tell the truth, FAST never went through the proper channel as quoted by Laauli, but only with their written request for the installation of their billboards at Mulifanua (See copy of Letter Attached).
I could vividly remember that the CEO Mr Leiataua Phineas called me that FAST had verbally requested him for their Billboards to be installed at Salelologa, including billboards to be installed on SSC Vessels and I clearly told Mr Phineas a NO NO Response.
I also question the truth from Laauli’s statement that their billboard at Salelologa was installed in January 2021, three months ago. How can this be true when the new photos taken, which included Honorable Fiame in her attractive Red colours after she was inducted as the Leader of FAST on Monday, 8th March 2021. The time alluded to by Laauli of three months ago in January does not therefore agree with the sequence of events to confirm the truth about the Salelologa billboard being installed 3 months ago when the new photo on the Billboard must have been taken only 3 weeks ago.
Therefore, the said billboards must have been installed three (3) weeks ago and certainly not there (3) months ago. If Honorable Laauli lied under OATH in Parliament, how many more blatant lies are we expecting from someone who is going all out in his Political Campaign to change the Government, and to lead our Nation in the next five years?
My Beloved Country Samoa, YOU BE THE JUDGE.
Laauli used to suggest in Parliament for members during their election campaigns to play the ball and not the person. What is Honorable Laauli doing now, obviously, he is now playing with the person and not the Ball.
Please Honorable Laauli, Walk the Talk. Aua le avea Taaloga Faapolokiki e mae’a taeao, ae ia e silasila mamao ma vaai alofa ma manumanu I le ta va nonofo ai, e tumau pea seia o’o I le faavavau.
Please be reminded about God’s holy words in the Gospel of Matthew 7:3 which says, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, and pay No attention in the plank in your own eye”.
My lawyer had suggested for me to take legal action against you for “Defamation of Character” for accusing me and calling me a liar. However, I thank the Holy Spirit of God, who led me to decide not to do so, and to whole heartedly forgive you for your false accusations
Jesus said in the Gospel of St Mark 11:25 “You must forgive so that your Father in heaven may forgive you”
God Bless you with enduring love and everlasting peace, my dear brother in Christ.
Sincerely,
Tapunuu Papaliitele Unasa Niko Lee Hang.