THE BIGGER PICTURE – PM TUILAEPA
By Nanai Taofiga Laveitiga Tuiletufuga
Limiting the number of sa’o to lead and take charge of their respective family affairs has far reaching positive implications for families and the national security of the country.
It will be to the families benefit, instil respect, integrity and value for matai title holders but most importantly sustaining security and stability of the country, says Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
“That is the bigger picture and vision by Government,” he added.
Since this portion of the three legislative measures presently under national review is an issue raised during the public forums, the Prime Minister in his weekly Taimi ma le Palemia with TV1 (Samoa) at his Tuana’imato residence over the weekend did not dodge the concerns raised by issuing a detailed clarification.
“It’s public knowledge that the massive bestowal of matai titles including sa’o titles is more than a common practise which to Government is degrading and defeats the cultural significance of the matai system and their leading role in their communities as the gatekeepers of peace and harmony to maintain stability on the village level,” responded Tuilaepa.
On the national level, he explained that matais and the Village Councils, (Pulega a Alii ma Faipule) since as far as he can recall have acted as the Government’s traditional eyes and ears in their respective communities.
“Matais also through their valuable contributions representing the voices and viewpoints of their respective Village Councils and communities are included in a range of government policies and legislative reforms which have contributed to the security and stability of Samoa,” he continued.
“Village Councils also have aided without reservations the repeated calls for assistance from law enforcement agencies (Police and Attorney General’s Office) when they are needed in delicate situations and their help is pivotal in restoring law and order.
“And when it comes to national engagement to garner free expression of opinions and views from the people, the Pulega a Alii ma Faipule are on the frontline without absence.”
That Prime Minister reiterated that this is the “bigger picture” supporting the legislative initiative taking into account that Government was impelled to initiate the propose changes in response to mounting concerns personally registered by families and villages with him and Government including Cabinet Ministers.
And he further noted that Government’s priority concern is that by leaving the practise unchecked it could trigger unrest and instability on the village level, which in turn will provoke a chain reaction that will eventually compromise national security and stability of the country.
And to address these underlying issues, the Prime Minister says that through the proposed legislations, Government is seeking the country’s say on how best to deal with the looming and to find a solidarity solution.
“As I have said time again, leaders who turn blind to what needs to be done in the best interest of the people but fail to do so is a sin and should not be a leader,” he added.
“If they feel that limiting the number of sa’os in a family is not the answer, then no-one is stopping them from expressing their views with the Parliamentary Committee,” urged Tuilaepa. “I am not intimidated from the response by villages which have publicly expressed their concerns opposing the legislative measures.
“That is there democratic and constitutional right. Also contrary to media concern that the pending legislations are linked to the use of customary land for commercial purposes, that is further from the truth.”
He says that Ti’avaasue Patu Falefatu Sapolu, the longest serving Chief Justice since Samoa’s Independence and now retired has publicly voiced his support for the legislative measures and the benefits it poses for the country as a whole.
“Even the customary land issue which Government has publicly reassured our country time and again that it will not be touched without constitutional amendments continues to be exploited by critics as a smokescreen to discredit the Government’s genuine long term vision which stands to benefit the country,” he reiterated.
At the end of the day, Tuilaepa is confident that when the dust cleared the same critics will never confess to their misjudgements and will also never acknowledge Government’s ingenuity.
“This is quite normal taking to Government into account the number of public protests from the Tumua a Pule VAGST to the Road Switch which the country is now reaping the fruits of the Government’s hard labour,” he added.
“Samoa has its own set of priority areas, and they are not without their challenges and harsh lessons. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and improve for the future, and that is the approach of government as issues such as these come to light.”
Presently, the Parliament Committee reviewing the legislative and constitutional reforms is continuing its Public Forums in Upolu having completed similar public engagements in Savaii.
