Stealing or theft is defined as the action or offence of taking another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it. When said kindly it also means misappropriation of funds.

Attorney General Sua Hellene Wallwork said this in her legal opinion to the Ministry of Finance regarding the missing money at Fa’asaleleaga No.2. The amount misappropriated or stolen is $175,000. This money is public funds and cannot be wiped off without the people responsible being taken to task.

Why should they be taken to task? While the district development grant remains a good idea, apparent misuse of money has come to light. This case in Fa’aseleleaga No.2 is one of the worst ones. The government released money to two people, however, mystery surrounds what has happened to the funds.

Under the law, when someone steals something, the police are called. They do their due diligence and lay appropriate charges. Causing a loss to the government is a crime under the Crimes Act and if $175,000 is unaccounted for and misused then this becomes a criminal matter.

The Samoa Police have the expertise to investigate this. Their involvement is needed because the outcome should set a precedent and warn future handlers of public funds about their responsibility and accountability.

The AG said the misappropriation of funds in Fa’asaleleaga No.2 was obvious enough to warrant corrective actions including withholding further grants for the district development project (DDP).

She agreed with MOF’s recommendation to provide notice to the Fa’asaleleaga No.2 to inform them that the office has found misappropriate use of public funds and give them 14 days (calendar days) to respond.

The AG has recommended that if there is no response by the district council, then the Ministry to proceed with dispute resolution. The recommendations also suggest that Fa’asalelega No.2 may be penalised by refunding the equivalent amount of public money lost, and for MOF to withhold further monetary assistance.

Why is the district council in its entirety being penalised? Was it not the member of parliament for the district Magele Sekati Fiaui and the council secretary who allegedly received the fund from the government? The same money has disappeared into thin air. Penalising the district council who blew the whistle on the missing money seems a bit unfair.

The facts cannot be changed. There needs to be more transparency on the findings of the finance ministry. The ministry is guarding the findings like a national secret. This is public funds. An accountable and transparent government will release the findings.

People need to know where the money went. If the finance ministry cannot do that, involve the police because money belonging to the people of Samoa has been stolen. Someone needs to answer for their action.

Magele has denied the allegation of misusing the money. He should lead by example and as a good and accountable leader, he should step down and allow the police to conduct an investigation. If he is innocent, he has nothing to worry about. A leader’s reputation will carry him a long way.

What does the MP have to lose by stepping down? Then again this is politics and politicians will always want to be in power.

The lack of transparency by the finance ministry suggests that the public may never get to see the investigation findings. While this may not be the case, the perception given to the public is that boys are protecting the boys.

It was also surprising that before the investigation was over, more money was released to the district council.

Accountability and transparency are two important elements of good governance. Transparency is a powerful force that, when consistently applied, can help fight corruption, improve governance and promote accountability.

Accountability and transparency are not easily separated: they both encompass many of the same actions and these actions have to be employed by the government.

What happened in Savaii should have never happened if the systems of checks and balances were in place. Everyone, especially elected officials, has to be made accountable for their actions when it comes to public funds.

This is a sign for the government to set up an independent body that deals with corruption or staff the Office of Ombudsman with specialists who deal with corruption-related matters.

A crime has been committed, the money has not vanished into thin air. People need to face the consequences of their actions.