26 Jan 2009

Samoa's Parliamentary speaker orders new political party to declare caucus members

5:35 am on 26 January 2009

Members of a newly launched political party in Samoa have been told by the Speaker they have 21 days to notify him of their membership.

The Tautua Samoa party was announced in Parliament on Wednesday by the chairman and MP, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.

However, the speaker, Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Lei'ataua, says his office has not been officially notified.

He also says party members are aware of the consequences under standing orders.

Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe ruled last year that no party can be formed or established after a general election.

And he added that in the first sitting of that new parliament all MPs have to be sworn in and declare which parties they belong to.

He reminded the house of the importance of upholding the oath of office as leaders as well as to be good role models and never make a mockery of Parliament in the execution of their duties.