There has been mixed reaction in Samoa to the government's proposed new Police Powers bill.
The legislation was debated in Parliament a week ago and has been referred to Parliament's Bills committee before it goes back to the house next month.
If passed into law, the bill would allow officers to carry guns in some cases, and will also give police more power to keep suspects under surveillance, and could see police intercept private communication.
A majority of MPs are supporting the bill citing concerns over an increase in serious crime while a few MPs were against it.
The legislation needs only to pass through the Bills Committee and a final reading in parliament to become law.
The leader of the Samoa's Democratic United Party, the SDUP, Asiata Sale'imoa Va'ai, says the numbers MPs in Parliament are stacked against them.
"It's a one party state, one police state, you name it. It's just an uneven playing field."
The leader of the Samoa's Democratic United Party, the SDUP, Asiata Sale'imoa Va'ai.
