By Martha Taumata Faavae
Members of Parliament will no longer be allowed to stand alone as non-party independents in the House, with possible future changes in the Electoral Act.
The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, is thinking along these lines.
His intention is to ensure a smooth flow of Parliamentary work in Samoa.
“By the next General Elections to follow the one we have coming up, there will be no more independent MPs,” Tuilaepa said.
“All MPs will belong to a political party and there will be no more desertions or hiding and telling lies by members.
“The change will be in line with standard political party practice we have to follow.”
The Prime Minister pointedly referred to the three MPs who were recently with the Government parties but left to become independents, including the former Deputy PM.
He branded the former party MPs as lying to the country that they were independent members.
Tuilaepa claimed they were repeatedly seen getting together in their meeting place at Si’usega to hatch up more tales to tell the country.
“A person who lies has no principles and people know that.”
Calls for a change in Government is nothing new to the Prime Minister who hears it all the time from people who makes it their habit including newspapers.
He said the choice of leadership comes from God whose will is worked through the people when they cast their votes.
His firm belief is that any party who calls for a change in Government is trying to compete with the divine will of God.
“What that means is they are doing the work of the devil and I hear them sing this change the Government song every day.”
An added concern he raised was the repeated call by the opposition parties of new changes they will make once they take over Government.
He is disappointed that for any party to promise break everything up once they take over power is not a positive one
“It doesn’t worry us what they want to do, what is more important is that we will have a legitimate opposition to Government.
“Hopefully these opposition members can be trusted as people with integrity, vision and the wisdom to benefit Samoa.
“We need people to bring in new ideas for better developments that will raise the standard of life in Samoa.”
Tuilaepa expressed deep regret at Fiame whom he has watched and learned over the years to be a hardliner and a critic of the fast pace of national development.
There were occasions he recalled when Fiame would complain about the party being too lenient on issues that he felt as leader needs open discussion.
He said Fiame would blast off about the unnecessary mess they have to clean up afterwards by being too lenient.
“I believe from my own personal observations that the reason Fiame left is because there were too many developments that were being carried out she was not happy with.”
Tuilaepa felt that as a leader you also have to ask yourself whether the others behind you are following your lead.
What that means to the PM is you move with your party, not go by yourself and leave them on their own.