By Staff Write
Anoama’a 1 MP Alaiasa Sepulona Moananu wanted to ‘leave it to God and His wisdom” but that it is time to move forward.
Sagaga 3 MP Sala Pinati wore his MP hat without any political party loyalties with an appeal that the matter be deliberated in the spirit of astute elders respected for their depth and insight.
Palauli 3 MP Lagaaia Tiatuau Tufuga brought up the honoured culture of respect the same as Sagaga 1 MP Loau Keneti Sio and the majority of MPs on both sides of Parliament on Tuesday morning.
All the appeals were hopeful it will lead to an amicable ending to the House Committee Privileges committee report recommendation for the suspension of the HRPP leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and party secretary MP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.
The Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa, however, was set on a hardline trajectory it brought an unhappy ending to the members hopes.
Her ‘yank from the roots’ address slammed the door shut on everything.
PM Fiame called for the vote to be taken after a fiery condemnation of the HRPP leadership she blamed for the political divisions in Parliament in the aftermath of the general elections.
The PM denounced as well the attack on the court rulings by the opposition leaders and rejected being held accountable for the Harmony Agreement.
Fiame downplayed the agreement as simply a ‘deed of settlement’ that the opposition MPs will be holding up as a shield to hide behind their criticisms of Government.
Her thundering delivery sent Government members scampering back to tow the party line after pleading for reconciliation and the start of a return to peace and harmony.
Government easily sent the HRPP leaders into ‘indefinite’ exile when the motion was carried after it was put to the vote.
A downhearted opposition deputy leader Fonotoe Lauofo Meti mourned the obvious Government support of the Committee report a ‘sad day for Parliament’.
His major disappointment was the Government’s rush to vote on the report while Tuilaepa is unable to attend to defend himself.
Repeated appeals by the deputy leader bounced off the PM’s determined attack on Tuilaepa.
A new chapter on the ongoing saga of deep-seated political animosity is in the writing already with the HRPP looking into its legal options against the suspension and more.
The recent swearing in of a FAST MP as the third woman to make up the 10% threshold for women in Parliament remains a sore legal ending for the opposition party.