Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi today said if his Deputy Fiame Naomi Mataafa votes against the controversial bills seeking to change the Constitution, then she will no longer be a member of the ruling Human Rights Protection Party.
Speaking on Radio 2AP, Tuilaepa was reacting to news of Fiame threatening to vote against the Constitution Amendment Bill 2020, Lands and Titles Court Bill 2020 and Judicature Bill 2020.
Fiame told media that if amendments proposed by her district of Lotofaga at a consultation with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Wednesday are not introduced then she will vote against them.
Tuilaepa said it is the prerogative of each district to decide on matters pertaining to the bills and all the government is trying to do is explain what they mean.
He criticized his deputy for attending the consultation saying she should not have attended.
“It is the right thing to do, especially as she is a Cabinet Minister, it would threaten their ability to speak openly,’’ said Tuilaepa.
He added he had not attended the consultancy with his constituency of Lepā for the same reason.
