The Prime Minister La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt said he has taken legal action against a high-talking chief of Iva, Savaii Tofilau Lino Tofilau, claiming that his remarks have threatened and defamed him.

He said Tofilau's remarks against him were rude (le mafaufau) and very disrespectful, and the government has decided to halt the $2 million grant for the Fa'asalele'aga No.2 district council.

Tofilau made the remarks at the Human Rights Protection Party meeting, where the party met with representatives of the 51 districts to hear their concerns about the grants and district chairmanship.

Tofilau had stated that they do not want any development project or dirty money. He said if Laaulialemalietoa had the guts, he would come and see them in Savaii, and they would be waiting for him.

Tofilau said Faasalele'aga No.2 will never accept Magele Sekati Fiaui as their chairman for the district council, and he will never be accepted back into the constituency, as he is still banned.

La'aulialemalietoa, in a press conference on Wednesday, said he is disappointed with Tofilau's remarks, knowing that he allowed them to meet with him recently and told them to sort out differences within the constituency because the government has no business meddling with it.

"I was waiting for Tofilau and the alii and faipule to come back and discuss what the constituency agrees with, but instead he went and made disrespectful remarks there (HRPP)," the Prime Minister said.

"Therefore, the cabinet has decided to stop the grant for Fa'asalele'aga No.2 because it seems like they don't respect the guidelines given by the government for the district councils to follow. 

"I have referred the matter to the police to investigate because these remarks are very rude, disrespectful and defaming." 

La'aulialemalietoa said, referring to Tofilau's statement during the Human Rights Protection Party's meeting with the representatives of the 51 district councils, Friday last week.

La'aulialemalietoa said he was told that he is not from Savaii which is also disrespectful.

"My family is listening and is not happy with these remarks, and he told me if I have the guts, just come to Savaii," he said.

"I'll be going to Savaii on Saturday for a family matter, and I would like to tell Tofilau that I'll come to Savaii and no one stops me from coming to Savaii, where I grew up." 

He reassures that Fa'aslele'aga No.2 is out of the district councils' development programme.