‘A weapon to strengthen the fa’amatai – Fiame

The Minister of the Office of the Electoral Commission, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, has turned the tables on her opponents who have referred to the Electoral Amendment Bill (3) 2015 as a “weapon.”

“If it is to be a weapon, let it be one that strengthens, preserves, protects and consolidate the fa’amatai system,” she said.

“Let it be a weapon that allow candidates to show through their service to the villages that their intentions are genuine.”

Fiame made the call in Parliament yesterday when she was responding to questions about the Bill.

The day before, Opposition and Gagaemauga No. 2 M.P, Levaopolo Talatonu, compared the Bill to a weapon used by the government to protect its interests.

In relation to the proposed amendment for candidates to give three years of service to their village before qualifying to run for Parliament, Opposition Leader, Palusalue Fa'apo II, said this would thwart efforts to have more women in Parliament.

He said the Bill contradicts the intention of the Constitutional amendment to allow at least five women in Parliament during a sitting.

Palusalue said he felt sorry for some women whose intentions to run have been denied by the Bill. He said these women have asked him to make a strong stand against the Bill.

But in a wide ranging response from Fiame, she told Parliament that at the end of the day, the Bill is about preserving the integrity of the fa’amatai system. He said every matai in Samoa has a responsibility to their family and village. That includes services rendered through one way or another.

Whether a matai stays in a village or not, it doesn't take away the responsibility to care for their families and villages.

In reference to the use of the term “weapon to restrict and deny” the opportunity for some women candidates, Fiame said this took her by surprise.

“This (bill) is based on the fa’amatai,” she said. “The villages know the person who did not provide service and they will not vote for them.”

The Minister pointed out that the intention of the Bill is to ensure candidates are genuine in their service. She said some members of Parliament had basically bought their way into the House.

“Is this something we want to encourage?” she asked. “I’ve heard the cries from some of you about voters asking for money (during election times), who started that?”

Fiame said consolidating the requirement for service can only strengthen the fa’amatai, which is what Samoa’s Parliamentary democracy is based upon.

But Levaopolo objected. He said Parliamentary democracy is not the fa’amatai.

“Our Parliamentary system is mixed with the western system,” he said. “If we want to consolidate the fa’amatai, let’s go back to what it was before (where only matai voted).”

Faleata East M.P, Aveau Niko Palamo, raised the question of whether a woman who has been providing tautua for all her life but has only just become a matai would be eligible.

Faleata West MP, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi supported his colleagues. He went further to remind that the fa’amatai system was hardly relevant because democracy tends to favour Universal Suffering.

Back on the floor, Fiame told Aveau that such questions should be asked when the Bill is referred to the Committee.

She said the members should know the procedures by now after nearly five years of the current sitting.

As for Leala, she said it’s good to know that they are the group of people behind the school of thought that the faamatai is no longer useful.

But Leala disputed this saying that Fiame seemed to have found a “weapon to twist what I meant.” He explained that since Samoa accepted Universal Suffering, the power of matai when it comes to elections has been eroded to an extent.

Vaimauga MP, Lefau Harry Schuster, intervened, adding his voice to questions about the eligibility of candidates who have been matai for less than three years. He reminded that all matai provide the same service to their families and villages.

Levao also wouldn't budge.

He returned to the floor to remind that the H.R.P.P government changed the voting system in Samoa to allow Universal Suffrage.

“You changed it then and here you are wanting to change it again,” Levao said.

At that point, Associate Minister and former Speaker, Leaupepe Tole’afoa Fa’afisi took the floor. He said there was no need to dispute the definition of the word tautua as people in the village know exactly what it means.

But he reminded that in the villages, when brothers gang up on their sister, they are referred to as cowards.

“I note that just about every member of the Opposition has taken the floor to take on the sister,” he said. “You are all cowards.”

This drew laughter from around the House.

But Afualo Dr. Wood Salele said Fiame is not just a sister, she is also a matai.

Palusalue added that the Opposition party members were merely responding to issues raised by Fiame.

When she resumed her response, Fiame joked that she should have worn a “tiputa” (a dress for females) to remind members of the Opposition that she is a woman. She said they must have thought that she was a “male warrior.”

“Let me also remind that the word weapon used in relation to this bill was not ours, it was yours,” she said to the Tautua Samoa Party.

In addressing questions about the Constitutional Amendment and the Bill, Fiame rubbished suggestions that they contradict each other. She said the whole idea is to provide a level playing field for men and women to contest the election. She added that the five women in Parliament quota is only the floor. It is an option if women do not win seats. If more than five women win seats, the quota will not be necessary.

Besides, she reminded:

“The women in this House are matai. Candidates have to be a matai. That is a key requirement. It’s the same rule for men and women.”

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi also spoke to support his Minister.

Tuilaepa said while the quota for women exists, there is no limit to the number of women who could become Parliamentarians.

“We could have a Parliament where hundred percent of it are women,” he said. “Everyone has equal opportunities.” Parliament continued last night.