By Staff Writer
Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi are officially suspended from Parliament for a record 2 years.
The House voted 29 – 19 in a secret ballot to uphold the Privileges and Ethics Committee Report to suspend the Human Rights Protection Party MPs.
The suspension was effective immediately. Tuilaepa and Lealailepule were directed to leave the building straight after the vote count was confirmed.
The forced removal ended a day of suspense and high drama while the debate was underway in Parliament.
It is the second time the pair have been suspended based on the same court ruling where they were convicted and discharge without punishment on contempt of court charges.
The ruling was tied to a Harmony Agreement signed by the two parties to reconcile the April 2021 post general elections divisions in the country.
The Parliament suspension has left more political divisions in the country. It is possible for more legal challenges looming on the suspension.