By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
Certainly a ‘lot of sound and fury’ from PM Fiame in Parliament on Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, it lived up to what the poetic expression is all about – ‘nothing’.
Just a lot of ‘sound and fury signifying nothing’ but angry foot stamping on the desperate hopes by the country for political harmony.
Nothing good will come out of denying Tuilaepa and Lealailepule their democratically elected rights to represent their constituents in Parliament.
Only the politically blinded cannot see that the suspension was a set up.
Fiame wanted to dump on them the full blame of the ugly aftermath of the 2021 general elections – under the tent swearing-in, court ruling and the rest.
Her expressed intention is to sit back and watch if Tuilaepa and Lealailepule will see the err of their ways and crawl on their apologetic knees back to the Mulinu’u Wok House.
Will they? Highly doubtful now!
‘I see that you want to take revenge,” Lealailepule was overheard challenging in Parliament.
Dangling the ‘indefinite’ suspension on their heads is brilliantly diabolic.
What better way to muzzle them up from doing more verbal damage than the threat of being placed at the ‘indefinite mercy’ of how and when Government decides to allow them back.
Dare to speak up against Government and they ‘can stay suspended for the full 5 year term’ or what is left of it anyway. The threat was made repeatedly by Government members during the debate.
Not getting paid salaries and allowances is ‘icing on the cake’ on this eerie plan concocted to not only shut them up but bring them to their knees.
What better way to also silence the deputy leader Fonotoe and any other opposition ‘loud mouths’ from daring to speak up against the might of the ruling Government party?
Anytime they do, the ‘indefinite’ clause of the suspension kicks in – another day, week, month or year added.
Is that how low we have sunk in our political leadership dilemma? Better not!
Inciting civil unrest is not only against the laws of the land but the divine powers we are founded on as a country. God is watching. We have all heard that said a ‘million’ times in Parliament.
Fiame raged on about the need for the dignity of Parliament to be restored. Good on her.
We all want that too including Tuilaepa and Lealailepule.
But taking the hardline way is not a workable solution Madam Prime Minister.
The wisdom of how Christian values and respect for culture and the traditional rule of chiefs and orators to restore harmony was an inspiration, during the ‘indefinite suspension’ debate on the House Committee report.
The way it flowed freely from all sides stirred deep hopes that the doors of reconciliation are finally opening. At long last we were all coming together again in harmony.
Not so!
Sadly the PM ‘yanked out by the roots’ that seed of hope. She believes taking the hardline approach against her political opposition is the only way to restore the country back to peace and harmony.
No it is not Madam Prime Minister.
All it does is turn Tuilaepa and Lealailepule into sacrificial lambs for doing their sworn duties to help keep Government transparent and honest for the good of the people and country.
Having their opinions taped shut have been done and tried down the ages wherever tyranny rules in this world.
If there is to be any ‘yanking by the roots’ to be done, it is in the seed of dictatorship starting to sprout frighteningly from the depth of our cry for peace and harmony to be restored.
Madam PM we have more important challenges to apply all our ‘yanking powers’ to.
Surviving the economic pummeling from the COVID 19 is the most urgent.
Move on! Please.