By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
Indeed it was a tender moment when the old timer MP Aeau Peniamina addressed Parliament for the last time on Friday.
The loud and prolonged applause from his colleagues fully deserved.
This 79 year-old from Falealupo, Savaii, has been part of the political leadership in Samoa for 26 years.
The heart is there but the body is weak as the saying goes. Enjoy your retirement sir.
When Parliament is dissolved and Aeau walks out for the last time, he will be joined by three others.
The Minister of Women and Community Affairs, Tuitama Dr. Talalelei Tuitama, Speaker Toleafoa Fa’afisi and Associate Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Fa’aso’otauloa Pati Taulapapa are ending their political journey together.
They too deserve our gratitude for their leadership of our proud nation.
Much is being said in sour jest about the politics of ‘dragging’ the final session of the House when it should be rushed and be done with as quickly as possible as it is the Government practice.
We all know that. It is also easy to understand that this is the last and final session of Parliament before it melts away into history .
If an exception is being made to ‘drag’ the session longer than ‘normal’ then why not.
If it is to give House members time to make their last goodbyes why not, for crying out loud?
Why are the moaners and groaners in Parliament in such a rush?
Is it because they have to spread more campaign talk to win the votes and the longer Parliament drags on the less time to sweet talk the masses?
No final loving wave as the doors closed like normal human beings do?
Just slam it and shoot off for better and more important things to do!
Sounds cut throat. Frankly, politics is not for the saintly, but surely it cannot be fully devoid of regard and compassion or in plain terms, humanity.
Is that the direction our politics is heading? Who is taking our politics there?
The question of whether or not Samoans living outside the country should vote is being fueled by the politics of the general elections.
When the voting is done the frenzied outcry of voting from outside the country will go into hibernation. Hopefully it has served its purpose if not then its only a sword to be sheathed until the next battle comes around.
The argument is settled as far as the present Government is concerned. Reasons they have determined to be valid are given and that is where they stand.
But that is not stopping the other political party aspirants from parading the rights of our overseas Samoan diaspora.
Question is whether it is out of warm sincere beliefs or cold hearted agitation to win political mileage.
If the concern is sincere then it truly merits a review whether changes are needed so it can be put to rest once and for all.
If not and it is found to be for political gains then it is sickening to believe that our hardworking diaspora are being deliberately manipulated.
In undiluted terms our Samoan families living outside Samoa are being taken for gullible fools.
If the issue is easily exploited as it is being done with this general elections then it should be made a moral obligation for the next Government to settle it once and for all.
Lets not make fools of our own blood and bones for our political ambitions.