By Martha Taumata Faavae
Chiefs and orators of Falealupo village have soundly rejected Constitutional changes proposed by 3 of the bills under review by the Parliament Select Committee.
Falealupo is among the villages the Select Committee members have visited so far on tour around the country, to hear viewpoints on the bills at the grassroots level.
“We’ve been listening very carefully to Parliament sessions and we do have a fairly good understanding of the changes to the Constitution proposed by these bills,” Falealupo spokesman, Fuiono Tenina told Newsline Samoa.
“We have lived long and served long enough in Samoa to know from the views expressed in Parliament that we should object strongly these proposed changes to our Constitution.
“We have only one word to sum up these bills and it is disrespect.”
Fuiono attributed the village complaints of disrespect to the rights and dignity of families, villages and districts by Government politics intruding into the values of customs and traditions of the culture.
The village spokesman was quick to add that they have always supported Government development plans but not on this one.
Traditional land ownership is a very sensitive issue with Falealupo as it has been with other villages that are in protest of the bills.
“Customary land ownership is fine under the watchful protection of the traditional leadership and any attempts otherwise is a challenge to our respected customs and traditions.”
Fuiono added that Falealupo stands with the Samoa Law Society in their protest of the proposed amendments of the Constitution.
“We may not be lawyers but we support their protest and wish them success in this fight for respect and dignity to be maintained for the good of Samoa.
“We continue to pray that the Society will stay strong and may divine wisdom guide you in this matter.”
Fuiono called on other villages and districts to stand their ground against the proposed changes.
He feared that the fight by the village forebears for traditional ownership of customary lands is being jeopardised by the dark influence of politics.
The Parliament Select Committee findings will be tabled for debate in the House but villages are already putting pressure on their Constituency MPs to protest against the bills.
Dissent against the Government proposals for Constitutional changes have already been raised inside recent members debate in the House.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has addressed the issue on several occasions during House debate and most recently with a conciliatory tone.
Tuilaepa reminded the House that these are only proposals and when the Select Committee report is tabled, it will debated and there is always the chance it will be rejected or returned for further review.
The Samoa Law Society has been leading the protest that the legal changes if allowed under the proposed amendments to the Constitution will throw the Judiciary system into chaos in Samoa.