The new Member of Parliament for Fa’asalele’aga No. 2, Pa’u Sefo Pa’u, is no stranger to the public and needs no introduction. Pa’u is the owner of Pa’u Sefo’s Funeral Parlour and Seana Restaurant and Bar.

Pa’u won with 823 votes, Namulau’ulu Sami Leota polled 784 and the former Member of Parliament, Papali’i Li’o Ta’eu Masepa’u came third with 752 votes. 

At the H.R.P.P camp, Pa’u, 63, said he is humbled by the support and the respect of his constituency.

“I am happy to see that they have faith in me and that they have given me their trust,” said Pa’u.

Being a Member of Parliament is something he had always wanted to become, he said.

“Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to be in Parliament,” he said. “The main reason is because I want to represent my people and I want to contribute in the decision making of our country.”

He knew it was a tough challenge to take but he was ready to face any challenge just so he could reach the top.

“And I knew that it wasn’t going to be easy. You have to have confidence, you have to serve your village and constituency, you have to earn their trust and you have faith in yourself.”

Reflecting on his pre-election journey, Pa’u admitted that it was a roller coaster. 

“I started preparing for this election since 1996, and from then on, I have been serving my constituency to the best of my ability. [So] I am grateful to God for giving me the strength and for providing for me. 

“I am also glad to my family, my constituency and everyone who supported me and encouraged me to keep going.”

Winning the seat was something Pa’u expected and today he is very happy.

“No candidate would contest with the desire not to win,” he said. “We all enter to win and you have to believe in yourself and leave everything else to God.”

He admitted that his battle with the other two candidates was not easy.

“It was a tough competition, and I respect my fellow candidates for putting up a good fight.

“To me, I wanted to win, but I was just waiting to see which way the wind was blowing, and I was prepared to accept whatever result would come out. 

“Win or lose, that’s not really up to me or any other candidate it was all up to the voters.”

This is Pa’u’s fourth time contesting the seat. He won the second time but later lost the seat during a petition.

His daughter also contested the election and won but she was also disqualified after a petition.

Asked why he chose to be a Member of the H.R.P.P Party, Pa’u said he had always been a fan and supporter of H.R.P.P.

“It’s because they have improved the lives of our people and there have been a lot of developments done for our country.”

Looking ahead, Pa’u said his priority is to improve the lives of the youths.

“They are the future of our families, villages and country,” he said. “We are moving forward, and I strongly believe that if we do well by these children, we need not to worry about the future.”

Encouraging education and providing job opportunities for the youths are what Pa’u believes is the best way to do it.

“We need to invest a lot of time in developing our youths. They are the future leaders of our families, villages and countries. Therefore we need to train them to become better leaders and be reliable people.”

What if his seat will be overturned once again? 

Pa’u said he will keep fighting and will never give up.

“If I fall down, I will get back on my feet and start running again. That’s life and that’s how it should be. You should never give up on your dreams. Just hope that God will provide us with the strength and knowledge to do it.”

 Pa’u grew up in the village of Fuifatu Safotulafai. He is 63-years old, married to Ana Sefo Pa’u and they have seven children.

He attended St. Theresa’s school in Fusi Safotulafai, Marist Primary and St. Joseph’s College. 

He worked for the Ministry of Revenue for 10 years before he started his own business. 

Pa’u has been a businessman for 34 years now.