The matai council of Manono-tai village in Samoa will not be punishing a young man who threw a pig’s head in the direction of Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi during a meeting in Brisbane, Australia last year.
According to Newsline Samoa, the decision was made during a recent council meeting where Tala Pauga had been summoned to attend.
And the decision is supported by the member of Parliament for the electorate of Aiga i le Tai.
Manono-tai is one of the villages that make up the constituency.
Mulipola Leiataua Laki, a member of the ruling Human Rights Protection Party who is also Associate Minister for the Ministry of Finance, said the village council gave serious consideration to the allegations against Pauga who is from Manono-tai but lives in Brisbane, Australia.
Mulipola was attending the recent session in Parliament when the Manono-tai village council decided there was lack of evidence and Pauga was exercising his right.
“Constitutional right is such a sensitive matter now,” Mulipola told Newsline.
He said the decision by the village council does not reflect any disrespect to the Prime Minister and the HRPP.
“Village councils exercise wisdom and foresight when they make their decisions and judgement. They would impose punishment if warranted as done in our court system.”
He acknowledged the good deeds Pauga has done for the village. One is sponsorship of the village members of the EFKS Church visit to Australia.
“ I appreciate his good works. Everyone does good works. But sometimes people make mistakes and this is when people mostly need the assistance,”said Mulipola.
