Not long ago, our friends to the west had to bear with lighthearted jokes about “coup-coup land” after repeated military and civilian coups removed democratically elected governments in Fiji.
It was how we used our Pacific humour to assure our brothers and sisters that they were not judged for the actions of a few.
However, beneath the smiles and laughs, we knew they carried a heavy burden as their reputation had been hurt.
Thankfully, they are now back on their journey of democratic growth.
Samoans now find themselves in a similar situation.
The number of by-elections and bribery cases in our recent national elections have tarnished our reputation.
With the ease in which votes have been bought and sold, we are now called “buy-buy land.”
We are now carrying the same doubt about our values as a society.
How do we explain the number of guilty verdicts?
What does the huge amount of money being used to buy votes tell us?
Where is the money coming from?
Has vote buying become so profitable that it is now worth the risk?
What’s driving this greed?
Do we no longer vote on principles, policies or performance?
Is it really that easy to buy a Samoan vote?
What else is due for sale in Samoa?
If what we’ve seen from the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Government over the last 6 years is any indication, then anything and everything is possible.
The world measures us by the behaviour of our leaders, whose words and actions project our national values.
Samoa’s reputation was stained by the deeply disturbing comments made by La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt five years ago about women being subjected to violence under floodlights at Tiafau grounds.
More than 10,000 women responded with a candlelight protest.
Yet five years on, the Government has neither withdrawn nor repudiated those remarks.
For many Samoans, this remains a troubling question of respect, accountability and the value placed on the dignity and safety of women.
We cannot simply pretend it never happened and move on.
Can our people and representatives carry themselves with pride on the international stage; without the silent embarrassment that comes with an abused and battered democratic system?
Or the attitude of their Prime Minister to gender-based violence?
We must believe that our nation’s core cultural and Christian values remain intact and pray that we will learn and grow stronger from this chapter of our history.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Leader of HRPP