Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has warned the Samoa Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church (SISDAC) and Samoa Broadcasting Corporation Limited to “expect the government’s full legal wrath”.
SISDAC world leader Pastor Willie Papu has been condemned publicly and by members of Parliament for statements he has been making on TV1Samoa vilifying other Christian denominations in the country as well as the Prime Minister.
Samoa Observer reports Tuilaepa has instructed the Attorney General’s office to initiate a libel and criminal probe against the two parties.
“This is character assassination,” Tuilaepa told Parliament on Wednesday.
“It’s worse than murder because the public shame will be inherited by the victim and his or her children forever.”
The Prime Minister claimed that he was chastised by Pastor Papu, who accused him of enflaming violence and unrest among the churches.
The pastor further alleged that Tuilaepa’s appointment as the government leader was influenced by a foreign government.
Tuilaepa strongly rejected the allegations in Parliament.
“Small knowledge is extremely dangerous,” he said. “These slanderous opinions are unacceptable not only in Samoa but for all Christian faithfuls and communities worldwide.”
Photo: Samoa Global News
