Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi says Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa must make a decision that reflects the quality of a leader.

During his weekly press conference on Thursday, Tuilaepa addressed the ongoing legal troubles of Senior Cabinet Minister La'auli Leuatea Schmidt.

He was charged last Friday with 10 criminal offences. 

La'auli, due to appear in court on February 4, has so far resisted calls to step down, while Prime Minister Fiame has remained silent on the future of her minister. 

For Tuilaepa, the matter is simple. “He must resign,” Tuilaepa asserted. “He knows what to do. La’auli and Fiame understand what needs to be done.”

While Tuilaepa made it clear he was not in a position to dictate the actions of the current Prime Minister, he drew a sharp contrast to his own leadership style during his tenure. 

“I cannot tell Fiame what to do,” he said. “She is the Prime Minister. But she should make a decision. As Prime Minister, she must step forward, stand her ground, and take charge.”

Drawing on his experience at the helm for over two decades, Tuilaepa emphasised the importance of leadership in times of crisis. 

He compared the situation to a military commander leading troops into battle, insisting that a leader must remain resolute in adversity.

“Once you decide to go into war, you fully pledge to carry the gun and continue to fight,” Tuilaepa explained. “You cannot simply decide to walk away when things get difficult. A true leader does what is necessary, no matter how tough it gets.”

Tuilaepa stressed that leadership requires making tough decisions, even when those decisions might not be popular. “When I was Prime Minister, I didn’t wait for anyone,” he recalled. “When two of my ministers were charged, I advised them of my decision and they resigned immediately. I didn’t hesitate because the integrity of the office was at stake. 

"Fiame has the same responsibility now. She must decide and prove to the nation why she was chosen to lead.”

Tuilaepa expressed confidence that Fiame, who has shown wisdom and leadership in the past, will ultimately do what is right. “I believe she will make the right decision,” he said. “She has the wisdom and knowledge to do so, and the law will guide her. There are also spiritual elements that will help her in this matter.”

Tuilaepa also noted that the issue was complicated by internal tensions within the ruling Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party. 

He claimed that some members of the party appear to believe that those in power, such as La'auli, should be above the law. 

“There are people within the party who think the Minister should not be charged because of his position,” he observed. “But that’s not right. No one is above the law. If the court finds La’auli guilty, those within the party resisting accountability should be held equally responsible for fostering this dangerous mindset.”

Tuilaepa’s message is clear: the Prime Minister must lead with integrity and make a decision that upholds the law, regardless of political pressure or party loyalties.