The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Ale Vena Ale, has lashed out at critics of the government’s preparations for the opening of the new Parliament office and Independence Day celebrations, writing, “Shut up and support.”

In a social media post on his official Facebook page, Ale criticised those questioning arrangements for the dedication and opening of the Parliament office and the ta’alolo ceremony.

“All of you who are criticising the government’s preparations for the opening of the Parliament office, the ta’alolo, and everything for the occasion, just shut up and support. The government is in charge of everything," Ale wrote. “Until you are back in government. When that happens, then you can do it yourselves. That is it.”

It is unclear who the Minister was referring to in his post. However, the comment section appeared aimed at critics of the government, with several comments on the post referring to the opposition Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP).

Ale, a former HRPP member, resigned in 2023 to become independent; he then described the leader of the opposition, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, as a "damaging factor" in the party.

The Independence Day celebrations began on Saturday with the ta’alolo ceremony at Mulinuu, where 12 districts and a delegation from American Samoa presented gifts to the Government of Samoa and special guests in attendance.

The gifts included envelopes filled with money, fine mats, and 200 cans of tuna.