Life continues for opposition leadership, MPs (l-r) Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, battling 24 months suspension from Parliament

By Staff Writer

Questioning reactions are beginning to stir in the electoral constituencies left voiceless in Parliament with the two-year suspension of the opposition Members of Parliament, who represent them. 

The Human Rights Protection Party leader and former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, are effectively silenced inside the House by the suspension for the next 24 months.

Rumblings about being denied a voice in Parliament are picking up in the Faleata 3 Electorate where MP Lealailepule was elected unopposed in the 2021 general elections.

“The debates and the laws passed in Parliament affect their lives too and they are being denied their rights to be heard like all the others,” Lealailepule explained.

His constituents are looking to take up their objections in writing to Parliament, Prime Minister, and the Chief Justice, questioning the suspension of their MP and being denied their rights to be heard.

The Lepa Electorate has already made public assurances of their full support of MP Tuilaepa, who was also elected unopposed last year.

 The protesting reaction from the constituents of the suspended MPs is the latest twist on their suspension since it was handed down in Parliament two weeks ago.

MP Lealailepule admitted the injustices behind a punishment this severe is a big struggle to accept for many reasons.

 “We were out for about 6 months before the court squashed that indefinite suspension on us but then they followed it up again with this current 24 months.”

He cannot believe they are being punished twice for an alleged encroachment that at the same time too, did not violate any Parliamentary standards inside Parliament House.

The MP referred to all the instances where the offending happened inside Parliament whereas they are being punished for what happened outside.

He took note as well of the harsh punishment on an issue that remains questionable when compared to other more recent examples where alleged violations were proven.

“Look at the La’auli (MAF Minister) case, he lied in Parliament about bringing in a refrigerator through customs when it was a generator that would have meant paying a much higher duty.

“He was only suspended for 3 months, how do you compare a proven violation of Parliament standards, to the 30 months for us?

“Just add the 6 months we’ve already served to the 24 months they have dropped on us now”

Both MPs also have the added misery of not being paid for time already served on suspension including the current period.

Lealailepule is critical of what he alleged to be an all out drive by the FAST Government to discredit the good work by the HRPP leader Tuilaepa in the 40 year tenure of the HRPP in office.

“Tuilaepa has won the respect of the region and the world for his outstanding achievements, whenever his name comes up, other leaders will sit up and listen.

“Can’t say that about who we have leading Samoa now and more importantly how serious our donor partners will take them.”

There is no telling yet if the complaints by the Electorates of the suspended MPs will hold any sway on Parliament decision, but Lealailepule is sure of going to court.

“We cannot stop the constituents from expressing their views, which is their right, but it will not stop us from taking our suspension fight to court.

“What is good about this is that it is happening now so we can have it sorted for the sake of our future generations.

“We will be able to spare them and Samoa the injustices of a similar experience in the future.”

The MPs are looking to file court challenges against their suspension this week by a legal team of both local and overseas defence lawyers. 

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