The Samoa First Political Party has appealed to voters in Savai’i to vote against the ruling Human Rights Protection Party.

S.F.P.P. leader Feagaimaali'i Bruce To'omalatai, made the appeal during a gathering last Friday at Apita o Pisaga Hall in Savai’i, which attracted hundreds of voters who were keen to meet with the representatives of the S.F.P.P., Tautua Samoa and the Sovereign Independent of Samoa.

In his address during the gathering, Feagaimaali'i made an impassioned plea to voters in the big island to "be smart and vote for change."

He also used the opportunity to remind Savai'i residents that the "authority is in the hands of the people."

"The power and authority for this nation are in your hands, not in the hands of (Prime Minister) Tuilaepa or any government," Feagaimaali'i said. "You have the right to vote and you are responsible for bringing change into this country, so you have the right to make the right decision."

Savai'i is far behind in terms of developments when compared to the island of Upolu, according to Feagaimaali'i. 

"They (Government) keep singing that same old tune saying that what's good for Upolu is also good for Savai'i. "But that is not reflected in the developments we have for the big island."

Feagaimaali'i then took the opportunity to thank those who attended to listen to their campaigns, hear what their election plans are, and offer their support if they chose to. 

And as the S.F.P.P. was set up  in Savai'i, he said he strongly believes that Savai'i residents should back their candidates and throw in their support.

"Officially we have five candidates and out of the five, there is one candidate from Savai'i. 

"We need your support and we need your blessings so we can have a new government.

"Our priority is our land, so as many of you all know, we started the Samoa Samoa Solidarity International Group (S.S.I.G.) to fight for our customary lands."

Reiterating that a lot has happened over the last five-year term of the H.R.P.P. Government,  Feagaimaali'i said he personally believes that it is time for a change.

"So much has happened in the past years and I believe in my heart that we should change the government. 

“I also know that we (voters) have the power to do that and I hope that Samoa would be smart when it comes to choosing the leaders of our country to carry us through in the next five years."

Tuato Iele of Sala'ilua expressed concern at the Land and Titles Court (L.T.C.) Acts enacted in December, saying the suite of legislation remains a threat to Samoa’s matai system (fa’amatai).

"Those new laws have caused a division in the country and we don't know what the real motive of those changes are,” he said. "What I do know is that it will affect our families and our children will suffer the consequences of these changes. 

“We (elders) might not live to see how these new changes will destroy our fa'amatai system, but our children will suffer from it in the near future.

"We cannot do much about it now as it has already been passed into laws.

"But we can destroy these changes and prevent the government from taking our lands and reaching out to control matai titles if we vote out the current government.

"I throw in my support to vote for change."

Loli Enele from Palauli also shared the same sentiments on the L.T.C. Acts and thanked the three opposition parties for their vision to move the country forward.

"I have enjoyed listening to all your election plans and I thank you all for such great ideas.

"I believe it's time for a change. They (H.R.P.P.) have been in power for too long.

"But my advice for you (candidates) is to be bold and be brave, honest is the best policy and I believe that if you have love in your heart and if you trust God in all that you do, we will be able to achieve the impossible."