The Chairman of the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party has welcomed a challenge from the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) that it will attend next Tuesday's Parliamentary sitting even if they not sworn in.

The former Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi is adamant that sworn-in or not, his party's elected Members assemble at Tiafau, when parliament convenes. 

Moreover, Tuilaepa has appealed to their supporters and constituencies to be present on Tuesday next week, even without being notified by the Speaker of Parliament.

However, La'auli Leuatea Schmidt is of the view that Tuilaepa is now "trying to force his way" inside the parliament house, as they weren't notified by the Speaker, because they are still "unsworn." 

"That's against Parliament rule and Standing orders," La'auli said during an exclusive interview with the Weekend Observer. 

"The Speaker has the full authority to call whoever he can call for a session and the reconvening of Parliament, so whoever has been notified, must attend and I believe that only F.A.S.T. M.P.s was warranted. The Speaker has the full authority to call in members for a meeting."

The Speaker is yet to make a final decision on the fate of the unsworn Members who boycotted the Parliament sitting on 24 May 2021.

However, the former Prime Minister is firm on their plans to attend Parliament next week, along with their supporters and constituencies. 

Parliamentary Standing Orders states that the Speaker administers the oath of allegiance for the members at the first appropriate opportunity after the member’s election to the Assembly. It also confirmed that no member of parliament shall sit or vote until they have taken and subscribed to their oath of allegiance.

"I've seen that he (Tuilaepa) had declared they are not to be stopped," said La'auli. 

"That is up to him, but he should follow the Standing orders of parliament. 

"If he thinks there is a law to back up his claims that no one can stop him, he is more than welcome to come. If not, then he would be breaking the law. But that would be committing treason."

La'auli then accused Tuilaepa of "inciting violence" and causing "unnecessary tension amongst our people."

This, according to La'auli, is obvious from the way he relays his messages and the language he continues to use during his televised programmes. 

Nevertheless, La'auli accuses Tuilaepa of exploiting people to push his agenda.

"He wants to ignite anger, incite violence and bring [in] all the people and the consistency to back him and push their plans. 

"But if you look back at the beginning of all of this, it's on him. This has happened because they did not attend the first-ever parliament session on the 45th day since the election and ordered the parliament house to be locked. 

"That's why we had to do what we had to do on the day, and have the ad-hoc swearing-in ceremony which he continued to make fun of, saying it was done under the tent. 

"To me, it doesn't matter, as long as it was on the grounds at Tiafau. 

"So if he is saying that they will come, they are more than welcome to do so. But make sure that they will not be breaking any law and Standing orders. It's very sad to see that he is using people to push his agenda. He is creating violence and wants to cause anger and tensions amongst our people."

Lastly, La'auli said he wanted to use the opportunity to remind the people of Samoa to "keep the peace."

"We continue to pray for peace and unity. Our police will be there to keep the peace on the day we convene parliament. 

"The problem is, Tuilaepa still thinks that he can control everything. I've watched that programme where he has made a call to the churches, giving them seven days to do something before the 14th.

"For someone who has been in power for so long and was well-supported and respected by our people, it's disappointing to see that he would not be stopped. 

"He still thinks that he is the leader of the nation. No, he is no longer the leader of the country, Sa'o Fa'apito (Fiame Naomi Mata'afa) is the new leader, she is our Prime Minister. 

"But we continue to walk and move forward with a humble heart."

Earlier this week, Tuilaepa had once again reiterated that "they will not be stopped" from attending parliament, even after meeting with the Speaker of Parliament. 

The former Prime Minister has insisted on having his party’s Members sworn-in by the Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II. However, Speaker of the House, Papalii Lio Masipau has reaffirmed his powers, saying under the law he has to swear-in members of the party.

Tuilaepa was upset not one elected Member of his party received an invitation to attend the opening of the XVII parliamentary term next Tuesday.

“The notice that went [out] surprised our party, because unlike the typical Parliament of Samoa where all the elected Members are notified this time only the members of the [Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi] party were notified," he said recently.

“It came in as a complete surprise to us and it caused anger. When you play by the rules as an opposition party and the Government does not, there is a certain time limit to tolerance.

“The invitation was accompanied by a very high minded clarification that came from the Prime Minister that we were not sworn in."