The Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party has strongly reaffirmed its decision to expel Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and five other cabinet ministers. 

This position was confirmed by the party’s chairman and leader, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt, in a statement to the media. La'auli made it clear that the decision to expel the six members, which includes the Prime Minister and five other high-ranking officials, has been fully endorsed by the FAST Council and the party’s registered members.

According to La'auli, the expulsions were discussed extensively at the party's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held over a week ago. 

La'auli explained that the decision has been supported by the party’s leadership and council members and approximately 800 registered FAST members in Samoa and abroad. 

All of these members are said to have endorsed the decision, which includes the ousting of the Prime Minister and her Cabinet Ministers.

"The decision was made by the party’s Council and members during our AGM, and it has been solidified. We are now taking steps to formalise the expulsion, either through Parliament or in court," La'auli stated. 

"The expulsion is final, and we are preparing for the next stages to ensure the legality of the process."

La'auli emphasised the need to clarify that the six ousted members are no longer part of the FAST party, expressing concern over their continued claims of membership. 

He warned the public not to be misled by any attempts from the "former members" to present themselves as part of the party, particularly if they claim to be "Independent FAST members."

The controversy surrounding the expulsions also involves a letter written by Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, which expressed the Cabinet’s objections to the AGM process. In the letter, Tuala conveyed that the 15 Cabinet Ministers who remain within the FAST party are still committed members and raised concerns about the procedural integrity of the AGM.

Tuala, speaking on behalf of the Cabinet, formally objected to the calling of the AGM, citing what he described as "procedural irregularities." 

The letter pointed out that the Cabinet was not consulted about the AGM and questioned the validity of the meeting due to a number of issues, including an unreasonably short notice period and the abrupt scheduling of the AGM, which had been moved forward from its original date.

"The FAST Party constitution requires proper notice to be given to all members, yet the notice period for this meeting was insufficient," Tuala wrote. "This is the third attempt to convene the AGM, and the meeting has been rescheduled multiple times without clear justification, raising doubts about its legitimacy."

Tuala also expressed concerns about the absence of FAST party leader, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, and several cabinet members, who were overseas on official duties at the time. He argued that the meeting should have been postponed until the leaders could be present, as it undermined the legitimacy of the AGM process.

Additionally, Tuala criticised the public attacks by La'auli against the Prime Minister and other cabinet members on social media, which he claimed had created a hostile atmosphere, hindering productive party engagement. 

Tuala suggested that the rushed scheduling of the AGM seemed designed to achieve a predetermined outcome, rather than fostering genuine internal dialogue within the party.

In light of these concerns, the Cabinet ministers maintained that any decisions made at the AGM are invalid and subject to legal challenge. Tuala further stated that the 15 Cabinet Ministers remain fully committed to the FAST party, fulfilling their membership obligations, including the payment of required fees.