Samoa Opposition leader to work with break away MPs

Transcript

The opposition Tautua Party in Samoa says it has been in touch with MPs breaking away from the ruling Human Rights Protection Party, to discuss ways to work together.

It's understood three MPs have so far broken away from HRPP to form a new political party.

This follows calls from within the HRPP for the resignation of  the Finance Minister, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, over allegations of abuse of power and mismanagement.

The leader of the Tautua party, Palusalue Faapo II, told Leilani Momoisea that Faumuina should have resigned a long time ago.
 

PALUSALUE FAAPO II: While I believe that there are now concrete evidence that there are now concrete evidence that there has been corruption and also the mis-spending of millions and millions of dollars. Not only while he was the Minister for the Samoa Land Corporation, but also at the time when he took over as the Minister of Finance, there is a lot of over-spending, the way he was spending, it's very sad in terms of the people of Samoa are suffering from the high cost of living. So I believe he should have been standing down a long, long time ago or if not, then the Prime Minister should make him step down and be replaced as the Minister of Finance.

LEILANI MOMOISEA : What does this mean for you and your party with these MPs breaking away from the HRPP, does this put you in a more powerful position? Or would you be looking at perhaps forming relationships with this new break away party?

PF II: Well of course, the HRPP has been in power for a long, long time. Their network has been in place in terms of the village supporting them, with giving them the chiefs and orators positions, jobs and it's very hard for any opposition in that matter to win general election. And we were hoping of something like this happening which will be of great assistance for the opposition to have any chance of winning the general election. With any members of the government breaking away, we've been contacting them so we can work together. If a new party is being formed it will be a great assistance with our role and the opposition in trying to win government in the next general election. We will be focussing on working together with them to have a stronger opposition and preparing ourselves to be the next government.

LM: Does that mean you'll be looking to join, or does that mean you'll just be working together as two separate parties?

PFII: Yes, we can't join them, but we are supporting their forming a party and then we will try and work things out in the future, in terms of a coalition or something like that.

The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who is currently overseas, has already said the Finance minister will retain his position.