Unsurprisingly, deposed cabinet minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o chose to make statements to media outside of Samoa. It has allowed her to make wild allegations without being asked the hard questions.

On Friday evening, Mulipola in an interview with an Auckland-based broadcaster made claims of betrayal and frustration, particularly regarding the lack of consultation and the reasons behind her removal.

Mulipola pointed to a series of unresolved issues, which she claimed were ignored or “silenced” by Prime Minister Fiame. Mulipola criticised Fiame for not prioritising the investigation into the death of a teenager in 2021.

She compared Fiame’s leadership approach to that of former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi.

“When Tuilaepa was in office, these were the kinds of issues that would be handled swiftly,” Mulipola noted.

“But since 2022, nothing has been done to resolve this case. It was heartbreaking. But this issue has implicated and affected so many people including parliamentarians and Cabinet Ministers. It has been raised in parliament so many times as well."

Mulipola also alluded to the legal charges against La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, the former Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, insinuating it was part of a “set-up.”

What Mulipola has done is nothing new. It was done in the past by cabinet ministers and politicians. They have taken an issue and drifted far away from the point without stating facts and playing on emotions.

Laauli Leuatea Schmidt did it on several occasions including when he allegedly made comments that led to police complaints against him and eventually to the charges he is facing before the courts. The charges against Laauli have to do with not following the law and in no circumstances it has been a set-up.

The matter will proceed to court and if the burden of proof is insufficient to prove his guilt then he walks a free man. The police proceeded with the charges against Laauli because they had enough evidence to do so. There is nothing political in what has happened to Laauli and politicians should be wary when they insinuate otherwise.

Mulipola’s insinuation of a so-called ‘set-up’ is a dangerous thing to say, especially when she is not presenting any evidence to back the claims. This is un-leader-like behaviour. Mulipola knows very well, that her party chairman Laauli, the Speaker Papalii Lio Masipau, Fiame and Tuilaepa have stated that they are working for the best of the nation and are avoiding political instability.

Such comments are inciting and far from maintaining stability. The Constitution is clear on the appointment and termination of cabinet ministers. The Prime Minister holds the authority to choose her cabinet ministers and terminate them if he or she feels that they cannot effectively do their duties.

The former minister is well aware of what is stated in the constitution and Fiame followed the law when terminating her appointment.

During her tenure as the Minister for Finance, Mulipola represented the government in signing a deal with foreign firms Samoa Stock Exchange, Samoa Digital Asset Exchange, and Oceania Special Economic Zone. A move that was later thwarted.

Fiame had announced that the government would not be endorsing the companies, she stated that they were taking a cautious approach concerning any proposals related to digital assets (also known as virtual assets or cryptocurrency) exchanges.

She stated that given the global experience of such exchanges being used in scams and money laundering, the government needed to be careful. This was one of the early red flags about this company.

Mulipola has yet to give an explanation about her link to the companies and what was she doing in Hong Kong when the companies made their announcement. She was pictured on stage.

When she was Minister for Women, Community and Social Development and in charge of the $1 million district project, there was no real effort made to show how the public fund was spent. To date, none of the so-called financial reports can be accessed by the people.

Mulipola’s statements show that the government will have problems when passing laws and budgets. The division will become a roadblock to helping the nation and its people.

This is the time for elected leaders to show their voters why they occupy their seats in parliament. Work for the people and the nation. Bring about stability.