The strain of leadership is showing fast on the Faatuatua i Le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party Cabinet Ministers.
Last week, a FAST Cabinet Minister announced that he will not respond to media questions about disruptions to electricity services and the use of taxpayer funds.
If not him, who?
This is not a good sign for democracy in Samoa!
Senior Cabinet Ministers are seen spending more time dancing at fundraising events in Alaska, the Utah, New Zealand and Australia, than in their offices.
What for? To buy votes?
Others have chosen to let civil servants take the lead on political matters, which threatens to politicize our civil service.
Cabinet Ministers have a responsibility to protect civil servants and not put them in politically vulnerable situations.
Even worse, some Cabinet Ministers seem to spend a lot of their time posting nonsense, arguing, and gossiping on social media.
The number of national issues and incidents on which there has been no satisfactory explanation from an official FAST government spokesperson keeps increasing.
This includes the numerous violations of our national borders, constitution amendment bill 2024, abuse of the million tala village projects, methamphetamine epidemic, Togitogiga cattle farm deal, the unnecessary “regional” airport which flooded days after its opening, the empty Fiji Airways flight for the photoshoot, electricity shutdowns, sitiseni Niu Sila disinterest, environmental and economic impact of HMNZS Manawanui, and many more.
Ignoring these issues of national importance or avoiding the media will not make them go away.
Who exactly is the official FAST government spokesperson anyway?
Leadership is about serving and not being served.
It is not a part-time or a 9am to 5pm job.
One must be fully committed, all the time.
Leaders must have a work ethic and integrity that others will follow.
And accountability and transparency are not optional.
The people of Samoa expect nothing less from their leaders.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Leader of HRPP