Palu stands firm in ‘terrorists’ row

Opposition Party leader, Palusalue Fa’apo II, has drilled the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P) for their apparent lack of cohesion in the absence of Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

On Thursday while Prime Minister Tuilaepa was recovering from a foot injury, which hospitalised him on Wednesday night, Palusalue in Parliament pointed to what he described as the absence of a plan among H.R.P.P Ministers.

“What’s happening to your side?” Palusalue asked.

“You are all over the place, what happened?

Have you got no leader?”

Palusalue was responding to deputy Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, who said the Opposition leader and his party members are “the same as terrorists.”

The exchange took place during the second reading of the Counter Terrorism Bill 2014, tabled by the Minister of Police and Prisons, Sala Fata Pinati.

The Minister told Parliament that the Bill is critical in terms of Samoa’s preparations to host the Small Islands Development States (S.I.D.S) meeting later this year.

“The law is especially important for the protection of people coming over for S.I.D.S,” he said. Appointed by Prime Minister Tuilaepa, Minister Sala is the Chair of the Security committee.

The Minister also told Parliament that Acting Police Commissioner, Fauono Talalelei Tapu is a “good leader” and “warrior,” as well as the “Commander in Chief.”

On Thursday, the Minister said his aim was to distribute a copy of the “security plan” to all Members of Parliament.

“Why? It is my belief that this is the House of Samoa where things should be discussed in the open. There is nothing to hide; it should all be brought out in the open with the idea that (security) is a collective effort.

“So I’ve prepared a copy which I’ll hand to all the M.P.’s and Cabinet Ministers with the idea that you are all informed about the preparations by our sons and daughters whom we have entrusted with this task.”

Since last year, Sala said the meeting’s security Committee has been working with “Interpol, Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A” in terms of “sharing intelligence on potential targets.”

“If you would like me to read out everything (in this report), we would be here until the evening but if you want me to read just a bit…”

At that point, deputy Prime Minister Fonotoe interrupted, cautioning the Minister against revealing certain security details. “If the issue of security is in relation to S.I.D.S, can you ask your Commander in Chief one more time if it’s appropriate for these details to be revealed?”

Fonotoe said. “When it comes to security, (certain things) shouldn't be revealed in case terrorists get a hold of your list and then you might not be able to find your Commander in Chief.”

Speaker La’auli Leuatea Polata’ivao attempted to clarify the issue. “I think what the Minister wants to make public are public awareness programmes whereby our Parliament can assist in terms of security,” he said.

“But I know the Minister is holding on to confidential information.” When Sala returned to the floor, he said: “I think what the deputy Prime Minister is talking about are the troublemakers inside the House.

“There are no terrorists inside the House. For example, is Levaopolo a terrorist? Is Leala a leader of terrorists? Or Ifopo from Aiga i le tai? The answer is no.”

The Minister said there is no confidential information in the Bill and that it was all about preparations for S.I.D.S. He then proceeded to tell Parliament about the number of participants expected at the meeting when Palusalue intervened.

“I feel sorry for the Minister because the deputy Prime Minister doesn't seem to know the aim of the Ministry,” he said, adding that the Tautua Samoa Party supports the bill. Fonotoe though became unhappy.

“I totally understand what the Minister is trying to do,” Fonotoe responded. “We are talking about security and that’s in line with this bill. We are talking about protection from terrorists.

That’s what the Minister is trying to speak about and I’m advising him that there are parts that shouldn't be revealed to Palusalue and their side in case they know.” Fonotoe then compared Palusalue and the Tautua Party to terrorists.

“They are the same as terrorists. We don't want them to know these things. These things should only be revealed after the meeting.” The comparison did not sit well with Palusalue who demanded that the words be removed from Parliament records. The Opposition leader said Fonotoe’s comparison showed that he is “weak.” But Fonotoe was not done. “If you read the bill carefully,” he responded, “and you look at the meaning of the word terrorist, it doesn't just refer to people who detonate bombs. “It also includes people who create conflicts with words like what you are doing. So the word terrorist has a broad meaning and yet you’re only thinking about what we see on TV and the news.

“You are right because you’ve got no bombs but terrorists can use thoughts and conspire to defeat the other side. All those are terrorist activities.”

Speaker La’auli light-heartedly told Fonotoe not to use the word “terrorist” but use “tourist” instead. He invited Minister Sala to continue. “We are all the same, Samoa mo Samoa,” said Sala. “That’s why I’ve decided that you should be informed about what the government is doing.

“Since December last year, the Security Committee has been gathering information. We are working with Customs, Immigration, S.P.A, S.S.C, Marine… Health… everyone is in here,” he said referring to various government agencies including Samoa Ports Authority and the Samoa Shipping Corporation. The mention of Ministry of Health drew a reaction from the Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr. Leao Tuitama.

Said he: “What I want the House to be aware of is that these are not the only terrorist activities that could endanger the lives of people in an organisation, like this meeting. “Another terrorism method is secretly bringing diseases with the idea of spreading it among people in a public place. This is one of the areas the Ministry is looking at.

“These sort of terrorists don't care about anything; their only aim is to bring a disease to a public place so that people are affected by it.

The Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, also joined the debate. He said security plans have different levels.

He told Parliament there are also different classifications of security information to safeguard people from being attacked. Faumuina said part of his work in the past included devising security plans and offered to work with Minister Sala in terms of his security plan.

But Fonotoe returned to the floor, saying that both the Ministers of Health and Finance have confirmed what he was talking about in terms of terrorism methods.

“And the leader of the Opposition is sick so he is the leader of terrorists.”

Palusalue did not hold back. “Mr. Deputy Prime Minister, you are so rude,” he retorted. “I’m not a leader of terrorists. “The other thing is, (there are so many voices in your party) what’s happening to your side? You are all over the place, what happened?

Have you got no leader?”

Fonotoe would not hold back. “That’s not being rude,” he said. The deputy Prime Minister pointed out that Palusalue had breached Parliament Standing Orders by interrupting Minister Sala and that he was the one that was being rude.

Speaker La’auli attempted to calm things by urging Palusalue not to take the “terrorist” comment seriously, saying that it was merely a joke. But Palusalue was far from impressed.

He instead questioned the Speaker over Standing Orders saying that there was nothing there to stop anybody from intervening when a bill is being explained by a Minister.

Speaker La’auli disagreed. He said Palusalue was wrong. Earlier that day, Sala said security was a major issue in the world today.

“It is no secret that a lot of problems in terms of security have arisen,” he said. “Looking at the aircraft that’s gone missing (Malaysia Airline), we have to ask the question of why are there terrorists in this world, why do people hijack planes, why do they kidnap and demand ransom money?

Why do people conspire (to do wrong)?”

The Minister said the Counter Terrorism Bill 2014 and Trusts Bill 2014 “work together to stop people from bringing dirty money to Samoa.” He did not say how. About safety in general in Samoa, the Minister assured: “I can say that in Samoa, there are no terrorists, only good people.

“The only thing I know (is that sometimes) there is the selling of marijuana for a bottle of beer. When the seller is caught, he is jailed.”

The Minister, however, disagreed with suggestions that people sell marijuana because they are poor. “My observation is that this is a blessed country, a country where people go to church,” he said.

But there are times when “one’s mind is not right, then we see things like what’s happening in Ulutogia.”

The Ulutogia incident involved two men who were killed using a machete.

“There is so much evil,” said Sala.

“The truth is that, we all have our devils, even me. There are times when I’m tempted especially when I’m not happy and that’s when I say some nasty things.”

The second reading of the Counter Terrorism Bill 2014 was passed. Parliament resumes tomorrow.