Faleata West’s Member of Parliament, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, has urged members of the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P) to patch up their differences and work together for the good of the country.
Lealailepule, the Tautua Samoa Party’s whip, made the call yesterday during a press conference by the Opposition party at the Tofilau Eti Alesana Building, Mulinu’u.
Among the issues discussed was the report about a new political party being formed, headed by Siumu M.P. and veteran H.R.P.P. member, Tuu’u Anasi’i Leota.
The new party is apparently being formed over growing unhappiness among H.R.P.P. members about Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s refusal to sack his Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga. Lealailepule said frictions within the government were not new.
“They became especially obvious at the beginning of this year”, he told the media.
Describing the government’s current predicament as “very difficult,” Lealailepule said it must be challenging for Prime Minister Tuilaepa to “lead the country” when he’s also got to deal with problems within his party.
“The Prime Minister is trying to say that his party is united and good but you look at it,” he said.
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“You have read it – there is no need to tell us anymore.”
He then offered a solution. And that was for party members to come together and sort out their differences for the sake of the “whole country.”
Lealailepule said there is so much on the line for Samoa that needs the ruling government to get its act together.
For instance, Samoa has just finalised the deal to host the Small Islands Development States (S.I.D.S) conference, which stands to earn the country millions of tala.
“There is a lot of assistance from that meeting to the economy of our country and the exposure of Samoa,” he said.
“We all want this meeting to happen, not only the general public but the business people.”
Should the H.R.P.P. members fail to reconcile, however, Lealailepule said all members of the party who are thinking of breaking away should be forced to hold by-elections.
“Remove the positions of these members of Parliament and let them go to by-elections,” he said. Lealailepule said there were many unresolved issues within the H.R.P.P. that have culminated in the bitter feuding that has surfaced today.
“I believe that some ministers are being used as a way for this to come through but there isn’t one thing,” he said. “Our prayer is for the H.R.P.P. to solve their problem.”
The Faleata M.P. expressed disappointment that a report published by the Sunday Samoan implied that the Tautua Party members are also involved with the new party.
“That’s incorrect,” he said. “No, remove the Tautua from their politics and what they do.” Lealailepule maintained that “our party is united”.
As for Tuu’u and his plans, Lealailepule said he hopes he is genuine and brave enough to go ahead if push comes to shove. As for the law and the Constitution, he said that it is very clear.
“The time you declare you are involved in a new political party and when the discussion has started, that is enough to lose your seat and a byelection is called,” said Lealailepule, who suffered after losing his seat when the Tautua party was formed and was forced to obey the law.
Meanwhile, he said: “The Tautua is strong and united. We are doing our work every day that is advising the government on what needs to be done and what is appropriate to lead Samoa this year and the next year.”
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