Opposition Leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, was suspended for 24-hour s from Parliament Tuesday for using a swear word directed at the Prime Minister.
The Samoa Observer newspaper reported the remarks were made during the morning break of Tuesday’s parliamentary session.
The profanity stemmed from a ministerial address by Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, who outlined government priorities, including the poor state of the national hospital, mandatory drug testing for all members of parliament, and proposed amendments to existing laws.
In his address, Laauli said the criticism and slander directed at the new government in the media stemmed from Tuilaepa’s public statements.
Tuilaepa tried unsuccessfully to have parliament debate the Prime Minister’s statement.
Speaker of the House Auapaʻau Mulipola Aloitafua said the language breached parliamentary standards.
“We are leaders, we are matai,” Auapaʻau said.
“Those words are not acceptable in this House.”
Tuilaepa said his comments were prompted by what he described as “serious accusations” made against him during the Prime Minister’s ministerial address.
“The first break is the period when we talk to one another, whether friendly or not. But the meeting was over.”
He later said his remarks were reported to the Speaker by cabinet ministers.
“He accused me of committing treason and staging a coup d’état against the government,” Tuilaepa said.
“I was not allowed to intervene during a ministerial speech, and when I attempted to respond afterwards, I was denied the opportunity.”
Tuilaepa said he was seated in his chair during the break when he responded, describing the exchange as conversational rather than a formal parliamentary contribution.
“I expected the suspension,” he said, adding that similar or more serious remarks had been made in previous parliaments without penalty.
Photo: Samoa Observer
