By Staff Writer
FAST Members of Parliament missing from the House session since Tuesday this week, turned up in Savaii on the same day to campaign for the general elections.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi confirmed later in the day, all the four MPs in the party taking part in a campaign rally at Samalaeulu village.
A media report yesterday on Wednesday publicly confirmed the missing opposition MPs including the former deputy PM turned independent MP Fiame Naomi Mataafa.
PM Tuilaepa went full blast on the absentees when the same media report accused Government of dirty politics by dragging the current House session to prevent them from rallying election support for their party.
“The accusations have shamed the dignity and respect of Parliament and everyone from the Head of State, Electoral Constituencies to the whole of Samoa,” Tuilaepa shot back at the start of the Wednesday session.
“The disrespect of not attending is contempt of Parliament made worse by lying to be excused for important family obligations when it was to hold campaign elections in Savaii.”
Parliament is into their final session before it is dissolved in preparations for the general elections.
The House has been holding morning sessions only for close to 4–weeks now, leaving the afternoon free for members.
Proceeding in the House has concentrated on members final farewell address since session started on the 19th of January 2021.
The opportunity is opened for each member to make final farewells to their respective Electoral Constituencies and to Parliament.
MPs for FAST have completed their turn already with MP Fiame the last remaining opposition member to give her address last Monday.
Speaker Toleafoa Fa’afisi named the members who sent apologies for not attending at the start of the following day’s session on Tuesday.
FAST members were included.
PM Tuilaepa rejected claims of delaying the session as an excuse by the opposition MPs to go out and campaign.
“We in Cabinet are busting to take our turn on the floor but we have to keep our patience for everyone in the House to make their goodbyes.
“Our party members would dearly love to go out and canvas for election votes also but their obligation to duty and respect of Parliament and Electorates are more important.”
Veteran MPs Faumuina Liuga and Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi branded as liars the missing FAST MPs and that they be reprimanded under Standing Orders of the House.
“Action must be taken against the disrespect shown by these MPs to the dignity of Parliament,” MP Lealailepule insisted.
“It is our duty to hold our Parliament in high regard by showing that this act of contempt is not tolerated.”
Speaker Toleafoa, admitted the absent MPs are liable for disciplinary actions as it has been done before, but it was also imperative to weigh up the values of cultural respect for traditional leadership.
The opposition party has already created frictions in the villages with their election rallying roadshows and candidates billboard.
Chiefs and orators have banned some of the party billboards from inside the villages under their authority.
