Associate Ministers Papali’i Niko Lee Hang and Tuu’u Anasi’i Leota live to fight another day within the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P).
This comes as the threat of legal action against officials implicated in “corrupt practices” highlighted by the Controller and Chief Auditor’s report as well as the Officers of Parliament Committee (O.P.C) report has effectively been eliminated.
This was the outcome of a three-hour H.R.P.P Caucus meeting last night where the future of the two members of the Party was discussed.
Speaking to the Samoa Observer after the meeting, Papali’i confirmed that they were asked to resign.
“We were accused of causing tension within the party,” said Papali’i. “He (Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi) was unhappy with us talking to the newspaper (The Samoa Observer).”
Papali’i was referring to a front-page story on the Sunday Samoan where they rejected the government’s response to the O.P.C, calling it “unjust” and “disgraceful”.
The Associate Minister of Public Enterprises and the Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, however, is standing by their comments.
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“I was defending the integrity of the Committee,” he said.
The government’s response, he said, “questions our integrity.”
“We are called liars because people will believe he (Tuilaepa) did not agree with our recommendations and took the side of the public servants.
“We don’t tell lies.”
So what’s their next step?
“We’ll let God be the judge,” he said. “Let’s leave it to God.”
Asked if the O.P.C would proceed with the threat of legal action now that the government has dismissed their report, Papali’i said: “We cannot.
“You heard what the Prime Minister said, we cannot win (if we take it to Court). So the best thing is to let God be the judge.”
Tuu’u supported his colleague.
The Siumu M.P. said during the meeting last night, they were accused of going against the Party.
Tuu’u claimed that the meeting was more or less against members of the party who questioned the handling of the allegations against the former Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga.
Tuu’u added that he and Papali’i were well supported by members of the Caucus.
He named some of them including Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, the Minister of Justice and Courts Administration Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Speaker of Parliament, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polata’ivao and other members of the Caucus.
Asked for a comment, the Chairman of the O.P.C, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, said their Committee is united.
“We stand by our report,” he said.
“You (Samoa Observer) have the report but it’s not subject to a debate which is Parliamentary procedure.”
Muagututagata added: “You have seen the government’s response.
Now you be the judge.”
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