18 Jan 2019

Samoa village leaders warned on customary land issues

9:04 am on 18 January 2019

Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, has warned government village representatives, or sui o le Malo, to ask for advice before discussing customary land issues.

Samoa village representatives or Sui o le Malo

Samoa village representatives or Sui o le Malo Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

He told village leaders from around the country that there is a false lawyer approaching people in villages to discuss customary land.

The prime minister didn't name the 'false lawyer' but his comments come as the group Samoa Solidarity International holds discussions with villages on the Lands Registration Act.

Samoa's Tu'ilaepa speaking at the first meeting of Sui O le Malo

Samoa's Tu'ilaepa speaking at the first meeting of Sui O le Malo Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

The group is suing the prime minister, and the government over the law passed by parliament eleven years ago.

Tuila'epa says no customary land had been sold to any foreigner since independence and claims to the contrary he has labelled "fake news".

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