By Staff Writer
The HRPP opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, has laughed off what he believes is now clear that the Prime Minister was behind all along what ended with the motion for his suspension voted in the House last Tuesday.
Tuilaepa felt that the complaint to the House privileges committee, under the name of the deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Ponifasio, was a decision made only after the court ruled on the Harmony Agreement both parties signed.
The complaint started the Parliamentary process that culminated with the ‘indefinite suspension’ voted against Tuilaepa and HRPP secretary MP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.
PM Fiame co-signed the agreement with the HRPP leader early this year that Tuilaepa claimed left her clear of the General Elections corrupt criminal charges the HRPP filed against her.
Tuilaepa also scoffed at accusations by the PM in Parliament at the start of the week that the HRPP has neglected the human rights legacy it is founded on or ‘Mavaega Tuua.’
“That’s a typical ‘Johnny come late’ comment from my former HRPP deputy leader who does not remember what the HRPP stands for and its record of achievements in protecting the human rights of the underprivileged, including women and children,” Tuilaepa marveled.
The Prime Minister was reminded that the HRPP government established the Ministry for Women, their empowerment through legislation, to guarantee to kingdom come the entry of women to Samoa’s Parliament, the appointment of many talented and educated women on merit to become Chief Executive Officers of government ministries and corporations.
“Over 40 colleges and high schools throughout all the districts of Samoa were established during the HRPP administration as well as the upgrading of district hospitals to improve education and upgrade the health services for our people in rural areas,” he said.
The former Prime Minister for close to 23 years said one of the most important milestones during the HRPP government era to safeguard the rights of women and children was the setting up of the Family Court to expedite cases involving family disputes and to curb domestic violence.
The HRPP was formed in 1979 following the dismissals of many CEOs by the government at the time.
A Supreme Court judge from New Zealand presided over a court case subsequently brought by a dismissed CEO of Health as well as the dismissed President of the Nurses Association at the time, an aunt of Fiame, who found that the dismissal of these two public servants was based on malice.
Huge financial compensations were paid from the revenue collected out of the hard-earned income of all our taxpayers.
“It is also the reason for the name of our Party – the Human Rights Protection Party, a reminder to all future governments that HRPP was born out of the injustices done to public servants by government leaders who abuse their powers and ignore the rule of law,” said Tuilaepa.
“Incidentally, the former Attorney General Mrs Taulapapa Latu, who loved to sing the song of observing the rule of law against HRPP prior to the General Elections, is exceptionally silent”.
“The Fiame government, sadly, is repeating exactly the evil deeds by the government in 1979”.
Tuilaepa signaled out as well the Speakers rulings denying also the human rights of two HRPP women MPs to take their oaths as well as 17 HRPP MPs in September 2021.
It was only possible when the “…Court overturned this blatant abuse of power and directed that we take our oaths on 17 September 2021, can now also be understood where the directive came from.”
“No secret can remain forever in a small society like Samoa and eventually no leader can continue to hide forever whilst directing others to do her dirty bidding.”
“Eventually the light will shine in the darkness for everyone to see”.
“The PM ought to remember that she can fool some people some of the time but she cannot fool everyone all the time,” he cautioned.”
Tuilaepa arrived back in Samoa last Sunday from attending an international world rugby annual conference in France.
His absence while Parliament was in session did not sit well with the Speaker of the House despite being granted leave of absence.
Tuilaepa attend the international rugby meeting as Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union and was away for about a week