Conflicting stories about Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s health condition surfaced yesterday. It followed his absence from the current Parliament session on Wednesday night and yesterday.
Whereas Speaker, La’auli Leuatea Polata’ivao, told the House that Tuilaepa was merely “resting,” deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, said he was away for “work duties and some short visits.”
The stories about Prime Minister Tuilaepa’s health emerged minutes into yesterday’s session, after Speaker La’auli opened it with a prayer.
That prayer was challenged by the leader of the Opposition party, Palusalue Fa’apo II, for not explaining the absence of the Prime Minister.
“Mr. Speaker, the truth is that the country is listening,” said Palusalue.
“I thought it (Tuilaepa’s health) would have been part of your prayer this morning.
“So your honour, on behalf of the opposition party and Parliament, I would like to express our best wishes and love (to Tuilaepa), if indeed the Prime Minister’s health is not perfect.”
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Palusalue relayed that the Tautua Party’s prayer is “for God Almighty to restore the Prime Minister’s health so that one day we will be reunited with him here in Parliament, as we have always done.”
The Safata M.P. reiterated that the Prime Minister’s health condition should be relayed to the country.
“The country is listening and yet it (his condition) wasn't included in our prayer this morning,” said Palusalue.
“The Prime Minister is the leader of the country. He is the leader of that side (H.R.P.P.).” In response, Speaker La’auli said there was nothing to be alarmed about.
“The leader of the government is not sick, he is having a rest,” he said. Acknowledging Palusalue for raising the matter, La’auli said: “But you see, if you knew something this morning, you should have prayed silently.
“The spirit of my prayer was a general one for whole country. That’s the spirit and the way of Christians, if you know something is not well, then pray silently instead of standing up to tell the country that the Prime Minister is sick. That’s not the spirit.”
La’auli said his opening prayer covered everyone who is sick and experiencing hardship. He said everyone in the House had offered a silent prayer about the Prime Minister. “They even prayed for you since your strength is not complete.
So that’s the spirit of this morning, let’s pray for everyone who is sick and everyone who will be sick…. but don't worry (about the Prime Minister).” Deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, took the floor to support the Speaker.
“In our observation, there was nothing wrong with your prayer, it was a hundred per cent,” Fonotoe said. About the Prime Minister, he added: “There’s nothing, in case (members of) the House become worried as well as the country. The Prime Minister is well. He is away on work duties and some short visits; perhaps he might join us some time today.”
Fonotoe did not say what “work duties” and “short visits” those were. Palusalue was not convinced.
“Mr. Speaker, this is very wrong,” he responded.
“What are you trying to hide? We should’ve prayed together, the country is supporting us silently. Don't lie.” But Fonotoe was not finished.
“I prayed last night and this morning and I see that the health of the leader of the opposition party has been restored,” he said. “See, he had pink eye but now we are together this morning, he is hundred per cent.
“So there is nothing to worry about, let’s carry on with our work, the Prime Minister is well.”
However, their assurances that all was well were contradicted by the Minister of Police, Sala Fata Pinati, who also expressed his best wishes for the Prime Minister.
Sala said he was informed by Police officers on Wednesday night that the Prime Minister had been admitted to the hospital. He reported to Parliament that Tuilaepa was well and that Police officers had taken good care of him.
Still smarting from Palusalue’s comments, however, Speaker La’auli told the House: “Don't question my prayer.
If your love is sincere, pray but don't lecture me about why I didn't pray for this and that. That’s not the spirit of this Fono.
“I advise that you go inland (Moto’otua) to find out what you are trying to get at…”
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