Rule of law prevailed: MPs

By Talaia Mika 05 February 2024, 10:00PM

After a successful court of appeal decision in their favour, two members of parliament from the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) have called on the nation to always follow the rule of the law and they will watch the Government's moves to see they stay within the law.

A sigh of relief was breathed by the two as the H.R.P.P leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and party secretary, Lealailepule Rioni Aiafi felt now they would be able to fully focus on helping their people.

They said they were happy that the court had made an order for the two to get their salary which is owed to them. It is estimated that the backpay for the two would be a substantial amount given they had not been paid for nine months.

"We will continue to observe the government’s actions because if we don’t then it will lead to them breaking the law," said Tuilaepa.

"The Minister of Agriculture preached this one night about the rule of law and that we shouldn’t be in parliament and I was drinking my coffee and watching this guy and laughed thinking to myself, the kind of person who thinks he runs the parliament.

"The meaning of the rule of law is for people who passed these rules to follow them instead of breaching them"

Tuilaepa said it was not about revenge for them and it should not be about any member of parliament. He said if these things were not corrected now, it would go on to affect their children.

The two MPs stressed that they can now enjoy time with their families understanding that their rights and voices have been served right through the decision.

The incident that led the two MPs into hot water was making comments about a court decision that allowed the new government to be formed. It seems the two men have now restored belief in the rule of law.

However, the press briefing called by the two MPs did not stay on track as they made a call for the resignation of the Speaker of the House Papalii Li'o Masepa'u's saying he has been fined more than $2,000 and by law he cannot be in Parliament.

According to the court decision, the Speaker has not been fined but told to pay court costs.

When asked that it was a cost to be paid to the courts, the two said they interpreted the costs to be fines.

Papalii opted not to comment on the call by the two MPs when contacted on Monday afternoon. He said he would be releasing a statement later.

The two MPs also said that they looked forward to meeting Sam Sua in court and hoped that the truth would be revealed about who had been calling the shots and making Sam utter such lies.

By Talaia Mika 05 February 2024, 10:00PM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>