On Monday 31 March, we heard a recording of the declaration of the State of Emergency, which is very, very, very strange.

A state of emergency may be declared when the security or economic life of Samoa is threatened by war, external aggression, internal disturbance or natural catastrophe.

It doesn’t cover electricity blackouts which started during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and were caused by pure lack of maintenance and the misuse of resources etc, etc.

We need to be extremely cautious not to ‘cry wolf’ too often for when real wolves attack, Samoa may never again get to enjoy the confidence of the international community.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP