Dear Editor,

As a concerned citizen of Samoa, I feel compelled to voice my growing frustration and disappointment regarding the attitude and behaviour of our members of parliament. With every passing day, it becomes more evident that the current crop of MPs seems to have forgotten the very people who put them in their positions.

We, the people, work tirelessly, often six days a week, earning low wages and facing the strain of high taxes, such as VAGST, duty tax, and retail markups. We are the backbone of this nation, yet our hard-earned contributions seem to be taken for granted by those we elect to represent us.

Our parliament meetings should be a place where the voices of the people are heard, where the issues affecting our daily lives are addressed, and where decisions are made with the welfare of the public in mind. Instead, what we see in our parliament today is an overwhelming sense of pride and ego among many of the MPs, as they forget their duty to the people who put them there. Their attitude reflects an air of entitlement, as if they are beyond reproach, rather than humble servants of the public.

It’s disheartening to see that, despite the crucial work that remains to be done, many MPs seem more focused on their personal status than on fulfilling the responsibilities they were elected to carry out. The people of Samoa did not vote for this type of leadership. We voted for leaders who would represent us, listen to us, and work towards building a better future for all of us.

As citizens, we are left wondering where this journey is taking us. The parliament should be a place of action and resolution, not a space for posturing. We deserve leaders who will show up, who will listen, and who will put the interests of the people first. It is time for our MPs to remember who they are working for – the people of Samoa, who rely on them to do their jobs and make decisions that benefit us all.

Samoa's future is at a critical juncture. We cannot afford to continue down this path of neglect and self-interest. Our leaders must rise to the occasion, put aside their egos, and fulfil their duty to the people who put them in office. Until then, the voices of the people will continue to be drowned out by the pride and disconnection of our so-called leaders.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Citizen of Samoa