Problems within the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) are so distracting it is affecting the ability of Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi to govern effectively.
That’s the opinion of the leader of the Opposition, Palusalue Fa’apo II made during a wide-ranging interview with the Sunday Samoan on Friday.
Asked to detail what problems he was referring to, Palusalue highlighted the Police investigating deputy Prime Minister Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo and Associate Minister Muagututagata Peter Ah Him.
He also pointed to the suspension of the Associate Minister of Police, Lafaitele Patrick Leiataualesa.
“I believe there are a lot of factions now within the party and the Prime Minister is trying his best,” he said.
“He is spending all his time settling all these problems within the party, but he should be concentrating on governing the country.
“I can see there is friction within the caucus and that’s what I am concerned about.”
It was not possible to obtain a comment from Prime Minister Tuilaepa yesterday as he is still out of the country.
Last week, the HRPP’s Whip, Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Lei’ataua declined to comment about the issues saying only the Prime Minister can.
But Palusalue is worried.
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“Because the Prime Minister will...concentrate on fixing everything within the party and not concentrate on governing the country, so that is my concern.”
With regard to the matter concerning the Associate Minister of Police and Prisons Lafaitele, Palusalue said while it was an internal matter with the HRPP’s Caucus, the Prime Minister should come out and tell the country why he suspended Lafaitele.
“Now he is saying ‘no comment’, ‘no comment’,” said Palusalue.
Even the party whip, Tolofuaivalele Falemoe Leiataua, “he doesn’t say anything – why?
“The reason why they are quiet about this is because there is something sensitive within the Party.
“But I believe he should come out and tell the country why he has been suspended and the reason behind it.
“They should be transparent about the way they do these things within the government, so that is my concern.
“That is transparency and accountability.”
Palusalue said the Prime Minister owed an explanation not only to Lafaitele’s constituency as to why he suspended him, but to Samoa.
“I believe that people should know, they deserve to know why because he is an Associate Minister,” he said.
“It is being interpreted by people differently because they are not saying anything so the people can interpret all of these things because of their ‘no comment’ about the issue.
“There are factions there within the party so I believe the PM is trying his best for these factions to be stopped,” he said.
His opinion about the matter was only strengthened by silence from Tuilaepa and his party whips.
In regards to the current police investigation into the Deputy Prime Minister and the Associate Minister – Palusalue questioned why the police were taking so long to reach a conclusion.
“Is it is because the Deputy Prime Minister is still there as the Deputy Prime Minister?” he asked.
“There are a lot of different opinions, stories. You never know there might be pressure from him and the Associate Minister because they are sitting there in their positions.
“So that is why with all these investigations there will be a lot of questions asked because he is still there.
“You never know, that is why the investigation is taking so long.”
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