Samoa's parliamentary speaker, Laauli Leuatea Polata'ivao, has appointed a special parliamentary committee to investigate alleged dishonesty at the revenue ministry.
The probe is based in a 200-page document from an opposition MP, Levaopolo Talatonu, who says it contains evidence of his allegations of dishonesty in collecting revenue, especially the taxes and duties of imported goods.
Levaopolo was ordered to present proof of his allegations within 24 hours after a motion by the opposition's deputy leader, A'eau Peniamina, which was supported by the ruling HRPP party.
The speaker has now selected three opposition MPs and four from the government to study the documents and report back to parliament in August.
A request by an opposition MP and former district judge, Lefau Harry Schuster, to be withdrawn from the special committee because of his family connection to the CEO of the Ministry of Revenue was not accepted.
