It has been revealed that a petition from the Lepā electoral constituency, asking Parliament to revisit the term of suspension for their elected member of Parliament, was rejected last December.
Samoa Observer reports having received a copy of the petition to the Clerk of Parliament, seeking to have their MP Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi returned to “carry out his role as their elected representative.”
The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Satama Leatisa Uitime-Time, confirmed meeting with the constituents of Lepā to discuss their petition.
He also confirmed that the petition was rejected based on Article 57 (8) of the Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa.
He said, their office also informed and reminded the constituents that the suspension of their M.P. does not stop him from carrying out his duties as an elected member seeking help from the Government, to assist with the developments within the constituency.
“The issue is that the matter is now pending before the Courts as they have already sought help from the Court and we have to abide by our standing orders.”
The veteran MP for Lepā is the leader of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) and former prime minister.
Tuilaepa and the HRPP secretary, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, are suspended from Parliament until October 2024.
