LET THE LAW TAKE ITS CAUSE : PM Fiame Naomi Mataafa facing head-on the challenge of political survival of FAST Government leadership.
By Staff Writer
The Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa is undertaking normal duties amidst serious political upheavals over the ruling FAST party’s confidence in her leadership.
The termination of three more Cabinet portfolios over loyalty concerns and the swearing in tomorrow, Wednesday, 15 January 2025, of new replacement Ministers is confirmation.
“Whether my term as Prime Minister is long or short I still need a Cabinet because they do the work,” PM Fiame defended the quick appointment of new Cabinet members.
Palauli No.1. MP Mulipola Anarosa was axed as Minister of Women, Community and Social Development where she was re-assigned out of the Finance portfolio.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Toelupe Pou Onesemo and Minister for Commerce Industry and Labour Leota Laki Sio were included as well.
While the PM’s priority is to ensure the normal running of Government, she stands firm on the sacking from Cabinet of Laauli Leuatea Schmidt as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Police filed several court charges of conspiracy against Laauli over the still unsolved road death, four years ago, of a young man at Vaitele.
“The facts are Laauli has been charged and he needs to resign, I still have a job to do as leader and will do so regardless of any unhappy party reaction against me,” PM Fiame vowed in response to protest against her decision.
A note of disbelief was detected in the PM at how the death of a young boy has ballooned into a leadership ending issue now looming for the political party in power.
“This was not an issue raised inside the party, this was a personal one for La’auli when it turned into an exchange with Lealailepule,” she remarked while referring to the opposition MP as well.
How the personal clash between the two has now threatened the collapse of the FAST-led Government is one the PM is forced to wrestle with.
“ The matter is under investigation as it should be and which Laauli also supported but it has created divisions inside the party which I don’t know why.”
PM Fiame strongly regretted how one person’s action has spiralled into a big mess for the Government.
PM Fiame is unyielding in support of the course of the law rather than the threat to her leadership by party members who wanted the use of political power as a way out for the former Cabinet Minister’s legal troubles.