There is an old Samoan proverb that no matter how much one suppresses a dying chicken its cry for help is heard.
The Samoa Observer yesterday printed an article of a New Zealand Investor being threatened with immediate deportation for trying to collect moneys owed to him by a powerful Senior Minister of Cabinet who is a lawyer and a wealthy businessman.
The human rights of this man are ignored by the Government.
The Minister’s name will never be forgotten and his wife, children and family will bear the shame of their father’s greed over their lifetime.
If the deportation order for Alan Belcher goes ahead this will tarnish the name of Samoa in the UN Commission for Human Rights for a very long time.
The police should also be reminded of their duty to abide by the law and not to be seen to collude with a politically motivated directive with criminal intent.
The use of police power to prevent 18 HRPP MPs from the swearing ceremony 14 Sept 2021, despite being already appointed by the Head of State, is a case in point.
The Minister has the means to settle his debts to this man and thereby honour his commitment.
It is therefore shocking that a Foreign Investor who has contributed his time, money and expertise for the development of this country should be treated in this manner.
The New Zealand’s High Commissioner’s office in Apia no doubt must be aware of the injustice done to this NZ citizen.
There are accepted norms for dealing with this kind of issue on a Government to Government level.
I am aware that the action by the Minister is now widely reported by the Social Media in New Zealand and Australia, who are very important partners in our development.
An underlying understanding in all our dealings with partners is that all assistance given to Samoa shall be subject to good governance principles of transparency and accountability and for the Government to observe the Rule of Law.
This will ensure that the hard-earned tax paid by Donor Partners’ Tax Payers for assistance to Samoa are being properly used by our Government.
There are so many instances of bad governance witnessed by donor offices in Apia that enough have already been said on the lack of Governance and the related question of the Rule of Law being ignored since the FAST Government took office in July 2021
Our Government should apologise.
If Government refuses to do so, may this letter constitute that apology to the Government and People of New Zealand and Alan Belcher in particular.
The Minister as a businessman knows well that bad debts is a major factor for many businesses in Samoa to go bankrupt.
A bad debtor is truly a thief.
But if the debtor is also a businessman and lawyer, then he is a murderer equivalent.
If he is also a Senior Minister then he is the worst treble plus. etc, etc.
The debts relief gained through the abuse of power is short lived.
But a conscience, on knowing that what was done was evil, will forever be troubled leading to mental stress for the rest of the debtor’s life span.
Own up now Minister and remain happy for the rest of your life.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Leader of HRPP