By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
The fatherly appeal by former Prime Minister Tuilaepa for the country to unite and work together is one of true leadership as we struggle with the COVID 19 pandemic crisis.
The tone and resolve are firm and decisive enough to embolden against any growing fears in the heart.
We have become a politically divided country trying to heal since the traumas of 2021 and we need all the assurances and trust to overcome our mistrusts and partisanship.
At times like this we cannot afford to be hesitant or undecided as decision makers of the day.
People are anxious for their health and wellbeing from the death threats of this COVID 19 pandemic.
To be angry at those who brought the virus variants into the country enmass is natural.
Our brave frontline workers are infected trying to protect us and we are indebted to their service.
If the alleged neglect and possible nepotism did allow the carriers of the virus to violate the protection of our travel borders then we have every right to take up arms.
True this Government has been in place for only a few months but that is not going to wash with this potentially fatal breach of our health security.
The lives of people are threatened and being new to the job won’t dry up the tears at the loss of loved ones.
When people aspire for leadership it is because they know and firmly believe they have what it takes to make a better life for the people they lead.
How long a person has been in office should have nothing to do with the indecisions and the uncertainties to protect and keep the innocent out of harms way. It is called good leadership.
The HRPP opposition deputy leader, Lauofo Fonotoe, has a point about setting up a Commission of Inquiry into this virus damned flight from Brisbane, Australia.
If this Government wants to atone for any regrets from their inexperience, a Commission of Inquiry will go a long way in restoring the public’s trust in their leadership.
Lauofo has suggested that whomever in Cabinet responsible for the ‘flight fiasco’ that exposed the country to the death risks of the pandemic should resign. Yes please do.
The most urgent priority for now though is our health security.
The more people added to the list of those tested positive for the virus the more the fear and the panic grows.
Tuilaepa has appealed to the ruling party to keep to one voice that of PM Fiame.
The wisdom behind that is obvious with what we have seen of one too many ‘Indians’ playing ‘Chief’. For our sake hopefully it does not end in the loss of lives by the confusion and uncertainties of who the real leader of the tribe is.
Tuilaepa’s guidance is added assurance with the reminder that we are familiar already with many of the security measures for our protection because we have done it before.
Wearing a mask is the simplest example of safe protection we have all tried whether we were comfortable or not with it.
So too is social distancing and keeping the turnout to a healthy number when gathering in large groups at popular cultural events like funerals, title bestowals and more.
Former Cabinet Minister Lautafi Selafi Purcell remembered well some of the angry reactions in protest of these health security measures when they were enforced in their time.
He agreed with the hard decisions taken and how as Cabinet they had to stand their ground against unpopular reactions convinced it was for the good of everyone.
PM Fiame needs that same united support from her Cabinet as enjoyed by her predecessor from his Cabinet of which she was a long time member.
The time for that support is now when the national focus is on her Government to lead the country safely out of this prolonged pandemic.
Yes indeed there will always be criticisms.
But as leaders they stand like tall trees openly on the top of the mountain vulnerable to every little puff of wind that tries to bend them over.
Wise words again from a leader with a lifetime experience of being exposed to all manners of challenge even now as former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition.
But the bond that binds him and PM Fiame as one is a commitment to the wellbeing of Samoa.
Divided they stand united they serve.