H.R.P.P. leadership challenged

A Member of Parliament described by Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, as a “joker” made a rare intervention during the current Parliament session, yesterday.

Siumu M.P., Tuu’u Anasi’i Leota, who has been relatively quiet since Parliament reconvened on Tuesday last week, took the floor to question the leader of the Opposition party, Palusalue Fa’apo II. “Mr. Speaker, I want to ask the leader of the Opposition,” Tuu’u, who recently reneged on a threat he made through the media to form a new political party, said.

“When are you planning to lead the country? Are you looking (at doing that) this year, next year or never (tausaga o apipa).”

Tuu’u spoke out after Palusalue had painted a bleak picture of the way the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) has been running the country.

He had accused the government of not caring about the country during the debate of a Committee report into the old age pension scheme. Responding to Tuu’u, Palusalue said: “Mr. Speaker, that’s a good question.

“We are prepared (right now to lead) especially given what’s happening with their party. That’s the truth, it’s not a joke.” Palusalue said there are “big problems” within the H.R.P.P. and Tautua “is prepared” to lead for the sake of the country.

The Opposition leader did not say what the problems are. But Acting Prime Minister, Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo, laughed off Palusalue’s claims.

“This side is united,” he said. “There is nothing wrong with it, absolutely nothing wrong with it.

The only problem we had a few weeks ago is that Tuu’u and Palusalue tried to lead (our party), we don't know where that....” Palusalue immediately interrupted, saying: “I want to correct something...”

To which Fonotoe responded: “Those things came in the paper.” With his voice raised, Palusalue fired back: “The country doesn't believe you anymore because you lied that the Prime Minister was not sick.

“And here you are lying again, that there is nothing wrong with that side.” Fonotoe denied Palusalue’s claim. At that point, Speaker of Parliament, La’auli Leuatea Polata’ivao, ordered Palusalue to stop.

He told him off for breaking Parliamentary protocols. Fonotoe backed the Speaker’s comments about Palusalue violating Standing Orders. But he wasn't done. “Let me remind about this one more time, Mr. Speaker,” he said.

“The pension started with 50 tala. What’s happening now? It has been increased several times.

“Why? This is the result of good works by the government for the fathers and mothers of the country.” Fonotoe explained that 2011, there were 9,325 pensioners. A year later, the number had increased to 9,526, costing the government $15million per annum.

“That’s a lot of money spent to help look after our elderly parents,” he said. The Acting Prime Minister said $1.3m of the total annual pension fund is spent on medical needs, which he said is a tremendous help.

“So it’s not easy when two hundred more people are added,” said Fonotoe. “But why (have two hundred more people)?” he asked.

“People are living longer and that’s because the standard of living has improved. “Why has the standard of living improved? It’s because of the government’s good development programmes that are continuing. We are working day in and day out.”

Fonotoe said part of the government’s continuing development includes a trip to Asau tomorrow to open a water project that will benefit people living in the area.

“These are continuing programmes,” he said. “This is why he (Palusalue) doesn't need to come and lead the country, we know how to do it.”

When Palusalue attempted to respond, Speaker La’auli said it was time for morning tea. Earlier, Palusalue asked the government to consider the bank fees on the pension.

“Even if its two, three or one tala, it still means the pension has been cut for pensioners,” Palusalue said.

“My plea to the government is to look at this. The complaint from elderly mothers and fathers is that by the time they get their money, the two talas and three talas have already been deducted by the banks. “I think the government should pay for these fees, they’re not major fees.”

Parliament was told that “when an elderly person is satisfied, even if the increase is as small as five tala, they’ll still be happy.”

“But even if the deduction is two tala, it makes our elderlies very sad. What’s the point of increasing five tala when you deduct two tala?” Palusalue asked in reference to the government’s recent $5 increase to the pension scheme.

“The government should carry these fees, they’re not major fees. The idea is for pensioners to receive all of their five tala increase.”

Speaker La’auli tried to explain that different banks have different charges. He also said there are banks who have no charges. “Are you saying the banks should provide their services for free?”

La’auli asked Palusalue. Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, supported the Speaker.

“Mr. Speaker, you are correct about bank charges,” he said.

“Westpac doesn't charge. I’ve also spoken to them about increasing their in store banking outlets, especially in Savai’i where there are only six in store banking outlets.”

Faumuina said it’s a person’s choice where they bank and each bank has to charge fees in order for them to provide the service.

Referring to the report before Parliament, which he said was from four years ago, Faumuina pointed out that there were only 8,500 pensioners.

“Now its close to 10,000,” he said, adding that a lot of changes have been made to the system.” Palusalue however was still not happy.

“Now Mr. Speaker, the Minister has clearly spoken about fees being deducted from members of the public,” he said.

The Opposition leader then challenged the Minister of Finance to come up with a way for the government to pay for the bank fees.

“Make this your legacy, Mr. Minister of Finance, to remove these fees,” said Palusalue.

“There are only 10,000 people, which probably cost merely 30,000 tala... please save their money, it’s not a lot. “Even if you are sick of hearing our pleas, we will continue to knock. Tuilaepa always says to keep knocking and the door will be opened.” Parliament resumes today.