Govt employee apologizes to FAST leader

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A senior government employee in Samoa has apologized to the leader of the Faatuatua i Le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party for defamatory statements she posted on social media.

Samoa Observer reports Grace Laulala, a Principal Land Development Officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment smeared Fiame Naomi Mataafa in a Facebook post.

The post commented negatively on Fiame’s work ethic, questioned her gender preference and leveled accusations that the Samoa Observer said it was not repeating.

Laulala told the newspaper she had been singled out and that partisan online political activity was widespread.

Fiame has not commented on the matter but FAST Deputy Leader Laauli Leuatea Schmidt said a statement would be issued later.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has continued to warn public servants and employees of the Government of Samoa to remain neutral on what they post on social media regarding the political happenings in the country.

“We wish to remind all public servants and employees of the Government of Samoa to take reasonable care when expressing their views on social media that may undermine the political neutrality of the public service or bring the reputation of the public service into disrepute,” said the Chairman of the PSC, Aiono Mose Sua before the April 9th election.

It is not clear if any disciplinary action will be taken against Laulala but a senior FAST member said legal action is being planned against her.

The Samoa Observer a public apology from Laulala in today’s publication and she has also posted her apology on her FaceBook page.