Criticisms of bill like ‘Adolf Hitler’

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has compared criticisms of the controversial Citizenship Investment Bill 2014 to Adolf Hitler.

He was responding to comments made by the Member of Parliament for Faleata East, Aveau Niko Palamo, when he made the reference to Hitler in Parliament yesterday.

During the debate of the bill, Aveau raised concerns over the growing number of businesses run by Asians in Apia.

“I’ll give you an example of what will happen to Samoa in the next ten years if this bill goes through,” Aveau told Parliament.

“There are people with money from Asia that are occupying town. How many (pieces) of land have they bought to set up their shops and others in Vaitele?

“What will happen to the town of Apia in the next ten years?” But Prime Minister Tuilaepa was not impressed.

“Are you talking about Frankie,” he said, referring to businessman, Frankie Cai.

“He’s married to a Samoan and has many children. I’m told she’s very beautiful and she is from Vaimoso.

“Are you suggesting we should stop our people from marrying others from overseas?

You are starting to sound like Hitler (mea faahitler au mea).”

The Prime Minister accused Aveau of being “jealous.”

“If you didn’t have your way with her then I’m sorry,” he said.

“I’m thinking where (were) the men from Vaimoso when a Chinese came and married the beautiful girl…the girl knows she’s better off (lae iloa teine lona manuia).”

Referring to Frankie’s multiple businesses, Tuilaepa said more than 100 people are employed by the company.

“His wife is Samoan and have children. There are many people who depend on them not only in terms of employment. Also, the people of Faleata buy from the supermarkets.

An unhappy Aveau though would not budge.

“My wife is much more beautiful,” he responded.

“The girl is one from our family. I do apologise about this but Frankie is a citizen and once he was granted one he was able to do all this that we are afraid of.” Tuilaepa dismissed this.

“Anything that is done out of a clean heart is good,” he said.

“But if it was done out of a dirty heart then it is. But the legislation was done out of clean hearts.”

Another Member of the Opposition party that spoke about the bill is M.P for Gagaemauga No.2, Levaopolo Talatonu Va’ai.

Levaopolo told said the Bill is a desperate attempt by the government. “It is clear from the reasons why this bill is established is because it is the last option for government,” said Levaopolo.

“They have run out of ideas and have turned to citizens as the last option. This is a sensitive matter and I believe that once we take this path we are seeking refuge making no sense.” Levaopolo also accused the government of selling citizenships.

“Using the citizenship card to lure (investors) is no difference from selling citizenship,” stressed the M.P. But Tuilaepa was unhappy with the comments from Levaopolo.

“We are not selling any citizenship,” insisted Tuilaepa. “Can you read out one word or a passage where it specifically uses the words buying (or selling) citizens. There are no last options as the Member claims.”

Tuilaepa explained the only attraction being used is minimizing the number of years to get a citizen from 5 years to 3 years. “What you are talking about is wrong all the way to Sydney,” Tuilaepa said. Levao, however, was not done.

“You hold a P.H.D in law and you can not interpret the legislation,” asked Levao. “Never mind the last option, it’s a desperate option then.”

Tuilaepa is now worked up.

“Now that is even more stupid,” he interjected.

“What you are talking about is a lot more stupid now. You are one of the members that was against the road switch with predictions that tried to scare people saying terrible things will happen.

“Mr. Speaker none of what they predicted happened. It resulted in Palu walking away and even until now he refuses to admit that he was wrong.”

Opposition Leader, Palusalue Fa’apo II objected to this. “The Prime Minister is very clear at remembering some things and forgetting other things,” said Palusalue.

“What are you doing with cars that are parked under breadfruit trees unused? How about the country that is struggling to pay for car parts that they cannot afford?” Again Tuilaepa dismissed this.

“That is why we have mechanic business,” he pointed out. “If you recall I made a speech in New Years where I advised our people to send new cars for their parents and not the old and broken ones.

That is why they break down because they didn’t send new ones.” At that point, Palusalue was not to be outdone.

“You made the legislation allowing cars that are 12 years old to bring in. Why are you asking the country to bring in new ones when you told them it’s okay to bring in old ones?” Palusalue asked.

But Tuilaepa refused to give in.

“Yes because there are many cars that are 12 years old and are in good conditions,” he explained.

“What was done was because it was a request from you to allow that.” At this point, Speaker of the House, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao, intervened, returning the floor to Levao.

Levao though remained unconvinced.

“You say it’s not selling citizenships but how can you explain how investors get the citizenship?”

asked Levao. Tuilaepa disagreed.

“I ask the Member this again, cite where in the bill that says those words,” he urged. “If there is one then read it out. The word investment refers to business but it does not mean buying (or selling).

Those are two different words buying mean you buy it today and that’s it.”

Palusalue stood to back his colleague.

“How do you interpret investing your money and getting citizenship in return?” said Palu.

“If nothing is given in return for the investment then you are correct, but you’re not.”

Parliament continues today.