The chaotic manner in which the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party has collapsed is not new in Samoan politics.
In December 1985, 15 members of the Human Rights Protection Party, led by Kolone Vaai, left our ranks and joined forces with Tupua Tamasese Efi and his 12 opposition members to form a coalition government.
The first in Samoa’s history.
Many of the members behind this mass defection had the mistaken belief that a coalition arrangement could approve and implement any government proposal.
This included a major project to use Fagaloa Bay as a dumping ground for nuclear waste from American companies, with the promise of millions of dollars to enrich their constituencies and families.
However, we had a formidable opposition line-up led by the Honourable Tofilau Eti Alesana supported by myself, Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, Tuiloma Pule Lameko, Fuataga Laulu, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and others who challenged the coalition government’s proposals, including the Fagaloa Bay project.
Vaai Kolone and Tupua Tamasese, realizing the powerful opposition that would be mounted against such a project, decided at the last minute to abandon the proposal even though they had a 27-member coalition government.
In the end, many of the coalition’s Members of Parliament voted with the HRPP to reject some of the government’s proposed laws.
Even while in opposition, HRPP gained the support of government MPs who understood what was best for Samoa and our people.
It was therefore inevitable that in 1988 HRPP triumphed again in the general election.
Fast forward to today, the difference between the Fiame Government and the rebel FAST Party members seems to revolve around one key issue – compliance with the rule of law!
Prime Minister Fiame and her minority government rightly insist that Party Chairman La’auli must face the charges brought by the police.
However, 20 FAST Party MPs, including the Speaker, are pressuring Fiame to exercise her authority to intervene and have the police withdraw charges against La’auli.
Why this relentless pressure? Because they have much to lose!
If La’auli is found guilty, his case would set a precedent and expose others who have committed similar crimes and offenses to police action.
Therefore, La’auli and his gang will not stop embarrassing the Prime Minister and her Cabinet.
Stormy weather, water cuts or electricity blackouts are not going to interrupt their non-stop attack on Fiame and her cabinet.
Samoa has hit rock bottom!
The government can no longer hide or sugarcoat the multitude of problems our people are facing.
There is a simple solution to put an end to these problems.
They know it, we know it, and the whole country knows it.
Our advice has been clear.
Find the courage and humility to take decisive action now.
Our nation deserves better.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Leader of HRPP