A recommendation to suspend opposition member Leaana Ronnie Posini for three days was dropped after the former minister he accused, Laauli Leuatea Schmidt forgave him for making false accusations targeting him. 

Laauli said the claims had “ripped him apart” in the House and outside. 

The report from the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into Safata No.1 Member of Parliament, Leaana Ronnie Posini was tabled and deliberated in the Assembly on Tuesday. 

Leaana was investigated for accusations he made against La’auli alleging he was hiding behind an overseas-based media that made comments to undermine the court and the Ministry of Police. 

Chaired by Deputy Speaker, Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua the committee in tabling its findings when the House convened concluded that the allegations from Leaana were not proven and false. 

The Parliamentary Privilege and Ethics Committee reached a conclusion recommending the suspension of Leaana for three days without allowance as a lesson for his actions. 

The report was signed by four committee members while the other five refused to sign objecting to the three days penalty recommendation. 

After members spoke about the report, La’auli said the investigation was to respond to defamatory allegations that had affected his reputation. 

He said although he is still alive the effect of the words spoken has slain him, falsely accused him and disturbed the peace. 

“This matter is to go against defamatory comments against me,” the former Minister told the House. 

“With due respect Samoa, I have been ripped apart because of these words made not only outside of Parliament but inside Parliament. 

“My responsibility as a representative is to protect the authority given to me by my constituency. 

"It’s not to protect La’auli, it's to protect the highest respect given to those that elected me in the House. I stood to protect the government from mockery of ministers of a government, to protect from mockery of the political party from these words that have stirred up things.”  

Speaking about the report, La’auli said those who do not see the importance of parliamentary reports shouldn’t sit in the House stressing they do not acknowledge how crucial their role is.    

He told the House that regardless of what their position was on the matter he urged to have a vote for members so that people can see who stands to support what is right and who is hiding in the shadows. 

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa’s addressed the issue that was at heart and what led to the parliamentary inquiry. 

She noted it was clear from the findings that the comments from Leaana that alleged La’auli hiding behind the overseas media were false and not proven. 

In turning to La’auli, Fiame sought his consideration if the findings to clear his name were not enough. 

Furthermore, she pointed out that the difference in the members' perspective is the recommendation to suspend the member for three days. 

Other members raised concerns about the proposed penalty and its implication reminding of a Court of Appeal decision that overturned the suspension of two opposition representatives. 

The decision of the Court of Appeal involving the Speaker Papalii Lio Masipau and Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi raised questions on the validity of the Standing Orders amendment that provided for the penalties and breaches declaring it invalid. 

 “La’auli you have spoken today for being accused and the Committee has provided the answer that you are clean from all of this,” said Fiame. 

She put it to the Legislative Assembly to consider if they want to proceed and adhere to the resolution from the House or look into whether penalties have any teeth and follow the law. 

She reminded the House of the Samoan saying that rocks erode but words don’t, reminding of the seriousness of the words spoken. 

Fiame made the point and put it to the Assembly to consider if they would proceed despite restriction or if there was another way forward to arrive at what was right and maintain the peace. 

“My plea to the member of Safata, the committee has concluded that your comments in the House were wrong, La’auli your name has been cleared,” she added. 

“I pray to you both as members and matai of the country that if you can find forgiveness then we have succeeded today…it is only a plea but the report is clear that La’auli has been cleared and Leaana was wrong. Is this not enough for us.” 

At this point, La’auli took the floor and spoke about forgiving the member. 

He recalled the day he was investigated by a parliamentary committee on similar grounds where he commented about a generator that would have cost $50,000 but cost the government $300,000. 

La’auli was emotional as he reminded the House that no one had come to his aid when he was at the centre of the commotion. 

He then turned to Fiame and told her that regardless of the differences within the party he still had the utmost respect for her because she was the one they appointed to lead the country. 

“Let your wish be for today,” he told the House. 

“I humbly accept and the country has witnessed the work of the chairman [committee] where I am clean from allegations made by Leaana. 

“Speaker, I forgive Leaana, I forgive him with a humble heart and I accept the suffering and all the pain all because I feel for the Speaker and I respect the request from Fiame…”

In response, Leaana acknowledged the findings from the committee and admitted to his wrongdoing. 

The member from Safata No.1 apologised to the Speaker, the Prime Minister and especially to La’auli for offending him with his words. 

He maintained he believed that in parliament members are used to such debates and retorts admitting he accepts that La’auli is clean from accusations he made. 

The Parliament subsequently approved the report from the Committee after the Prime Minister moved a motion to pass it.