By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
The Ministry of Finance CEO Leasiosio Oscar Malielegaoi, brought heartbreak and tears to a tsunami of online reactions inside and outside Samoa after his forced resignation on Friday.
Praise and outrage flowed freely as the online mass reacted to what the overwhelming belief was an injustice, based on political insecurities that had nothing to do with any wrong doing by the CEO.
Leasiosio was widely applauded as an intelligent, well-spoken and humble person, from his account of the unfair decision he was forced by the Minister of Finance to make, in an interview with Newsline Samoa.
“What an inspiration. What an example of humility and professionalism,” ’ one person reacted after hearing the CEO interview.
“You are one of the best CEOs and I know God has better plans for you,” another person stated.
The online interview went viral after it was uploaded for live streaming on social media in only minutes. The outpouring of rousing encouragement and support for the CEO was tremendous.
The interview was viewed more than 100,000 times in just a few short hours, logged up more than 6,000 comments and reactions and shared around by more than one thousand people.
Ironically the online reactions soared with what appeared to be supporters of both political sides sharing trust and confidence in his rare quality of leadership and belief in a promising future he is destined for.
“One door closes and a much bigger one opens’, was the sweeping reaction for him and his expressed faith in the will of the Lord.
Leasiosio decided to step down the day after the Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Molio’o, made it clear she did not want to work with him.
The Minister was insecure about the integrity of the CEO with fears he would leak Government confidential information to his dad, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, as the leader of the opposition Human Rights Protection Party.
Rather than stay and take possible legal action as an innocent victim and to defend his rights and integrity as a public servant sworn to his duties, his underlying concern is for the good of the country.
“Building trust between people in the service is important if we’re to do justice to the work we do for the country,” Leasiosio confided in his Newsline Samoa interview.
“The same trust should be there between the Minister and myself because the work we do is not for me, the Minister or the Government in power but for the good of the country and people.
“Without trust we cannot move forward with the doubts and mistrust in the work we must do to benefit everyone.”
Leasiosio firmly believes that the country should not be denied the benefits of the service by the Ministry because of one person.
This was the propelling reason for his decision to resign even at short notice with 4 more months in his 3-year CEO contract still left to run.
He is very mindful of the central role the Ministry of Finance holds in the strategic planning of the country’s development.
As head of Ministry his responsibilities are to co-ordinate an effective and efficient networking within the public and private sectors .
The intentions were to come up with a working national document as the blueprint for the country’s development.
Despite the disappointment of a sudden ending to a career that earned him leadership respect from his peers and the loyalty of his Ministry management and staff, he was still able to find some consolation in his achievements.
“I’m happy to have contributed to the development of Samoa in the many years I have served as a public servant since I first started in 2003 as an accounts officer for the Ministry.
“It’s a good feeling also to know that I tossed a stone in the building of our country.
“To be honest my choice to leave is on my own personal principles and not the wishes by the Minister in her letter to me.”
Leasiosio also left knowing he has no regrets of any wrong doing in carrying out his sworn duties from the time he entered the Ministry.
In earlier remarks to Newsline Samoa, the CEO expressed a clear conscience about his commitment to the call of duty despite what he described as perceived conflicts of interest the Minister is insecure with.
““When I first started working with the Ministry of Finance I never thought about who I am related to or who I know.
“This was the line of work I learned in school and developed a passion for…finance, accounting, economics…”
Like all other public servant once settled into the service his hopes were to reach the top one day which he did under his own merits.
It was only by co-incidence that it came at a time when his dad was Prime Minister.
“There have been many accusations that I was appointed because of who I am related to, but to me personally I am grateful that I am able to serve Samoa.
“Yes the politics we’re going through do affect the work. Your obligation is to be professional about your work commitments but all the bad things being said about you will always take a bite.
“To me personally when I enter the doors of the Ministry I am a public servant and that is the hat I wear in the service I do.
“Whatever Government is in place the advice I give is to the best of what I am capable of.
“When it is time to go home after work I leave my public servant hat in the office and take on my role in the family as a father or son.
“I love my father and that remains in my family relationship.”
Leasiosio admitted that he was not surprised when the Minister handed him her letter with his ‘marching orders.’
There were other CEOs before him who were either out of job, suspended or in the new Government pre-election targeted list of heads to roll, in a cleanup policy to replace them with people loyal to the party.
Leasiosio knew he was on the target list and it was only a matter of time before his turn.
He did consider taking legal actions against the Government decision to take him out but did not what the burden of court time and costs on the taxpayers.
His conservative financial principles for the Ministry to save wherever they can would not allow him to resort to the legal option.
“We have made it a policy to save whether it is one sene, one tala or 10 tala because they all count and the time and expense of a court matter are costs to the taxpayers.
“Whatever happens maybe new to all of us but I believe the Lord has planned everything for times like this.”
Leasiosio confessed that it was challenging for him during his career as the son of the Prime Minister, the biting accusations and insinuations that it was the influence of his father rather than his own merits that landed him whatever job position.
“You hear it all the time and you try to be humble and forgiving. As they say if they slap you on one cheek turn the other.
“What is happening now and the decision I have taken is all about forgiveness. I believe that what is more important above all else is the service to our country.”
More CEO forced resignations or direct termination of contracts, should be of little surprise with the Attorney General and the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly on suspension already.
Both have to win the confidence of the new Government with their integrity and demonstration of loyalty to keep their jobs.
More CEOs and reportedly Assistant CEOs are also being lined up for Government to decide if they are to be trusted to continue in their jobs.