A cabinet minister's persistent efforts to challenge the court's ruling constitute a clear case of contempt of court, said the Member of Parliament for Faleata No.3 Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.

La'auli Leuatea Schmidt's comment last week also drove a response from the Prime Minister asking him to follow the rule of the law. La'auli commented that Lealailepule and Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi should not be allowed in the House as they have broken the law. 

The comments were about the two opposition members' suspension for contempt of parliament, a suspension overturned by the court. 

Lealailepule expressed disappointment, stating that it was disheartening to observe a former Speaker of the House who lacks an understanding of the legal principles and regulations governing Samoa.

"This is purely a contempt of court," Lealailepule said responding to comments made by La'auli.  

"We are back in parliament due to a court order after the court found out the parliament's decision to suspend us for over two years is unconstitutional.  

"I don't think he understands the separation of powers and the authority given to the judiciary to intervene through parliamentary decisions if such decisions breached the constitution which is the supreme law of the land. 

"I am also so confused that he doesn't understand the eligibility rules for MPs to run in elections and be MPs.

"That qualification law has been in our Electoral Act for a while.  

"The eligibility criteria are quite clear.  Any person convicted of crimes with a punishment of less than four years imprisonment or a fine of less than 2000 tala can still run and become a Member of Parliament.  All in the Electoral Act. 

"For us, we were found guilty but no conviction because there was no penalty imposed on us. Very clear and straightforward. It's quite obvious this guy is very bitter."

Lealailepule has advised La'auli to exercise caution when making accusations against fellow politicians.

"He should be asking for the removal of the former Associate Minister of Police who broke laws."

Moreover, Lealailepule asserted that La'auli persists in orchestrating Tuilaepa's removal from parliament and his subsequent incarceration.

"So far he's been unsuccessful because we haven't broken any laws. 

"Tuilaepa is old enough to be his father and has done a lot for this country.

Lealailepule acknowledged Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's effort in reminding La'auli to respect the judiciary and not to forget that it was the decision of the Court of Appeal that put them there in the first place. 

Last week during parliament, P.M. Fiame and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La'auli held divergent views on the court decision to reinstate two opposition members, indicating a clear disagreement between them. 

La’auli voiced his disapproval of members who violate the law being allowed to retain their seats in the Legislative Assembly.