Speaking at a police graduation ceremony the Prime Minister said the Police Commissioner had yet to fully implement his decision last year to weed out at least one half of police 'couples' in the force.

He is giving Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil until the end of the year to act on a directive forcing couple to chose which of them would remain police officers.

Calling it a "lingering problem" Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi says family ties affect the police response to crime.

The rule is to also apply to those police officers who are having extra-marital affairs.

"Police officers knew of colleagues who were having affairs", he said.

The relationship between Samoa's police commissioner and the Prime Minister, who is also Minister of Police has been tense.

In July Samoa's Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil, survived a government vote of confidence by 'the inch of his finger'.

Fuiavailili's three year tenure has been marred by controversy, including his arrest on dozens of charges of gun possession, intimidation and an attempt to procure, incite and counsel murder.

Fuiavailili, who is originally from the United States, was chosen ahead of three other applicants for a post.

Sources

• RNZ
• RNZ
• Image: RNZ

That's what Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sa'ilele Malielegaoi said, in response to the General Secretary in the ongoing tax dispute between the Government and the EFKS.

Fa'afafine are people who identify themselves as a third-gender in Samoa, American Samoa and the Samoan diaspora.

Tuilaepa dismissed claims by Vavatau that the Government's law to tax the alofa (gift/offering) received by church ministers is part of a colonial mindset.

It is an accusation the Human Rights Protection Party Government is finding hard to shake.

The Prime Minister laughed and said the word "kolone" (colonial) in Samoan means you are being dominated by another person.

"That is what a fa'afafine would always say," Tuilaepa said.

"That man is my kolone and, who knows, maybe the General Secretary has a fa'afafine side.

"If he does have a fa'afafine side, he should come and join my association (Samoa Fa'afafine Association) where I am the patron.

"I am a fatherly figure to the fa'afafine of Samoa."

Tuilaepa made these remarks on his weekly media programme.

He said Vavatau should leave politics to the politicians.

"He should focus on reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and not get into issues he lacks knowledge of" Tuilaepa said.

Fa'afafine are Samoan biological males who behave in a range of feminine-gendered ways.

They have been an integrated part of Samoan communities for centuries.

The word translates as ‘in the manner of a woman.'

They are assigned male at birth and explicitly embody both masculine and feminine gender traits fashioned in a way unique to the Polynesian cultures.

A considerable dispute exists about the causation and nature of this "third gender identity."

Their behaviour typically ranges from extravagantly feminine to conventionally masculine.

Source

• samoaobserver.ws
• en.wikipedia.org
• teara.govt.nz
• Image: samoaobserver.ws

The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (CCCS) General Secretary, Vavatau Taufao, said the changed section should never have been a part of the law.

Taufao said the Prime Minister and government officials also got big handouts from similar events and they were not taxed for them.

Last week the CCCS had a meeting with prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi to clarify its position and to propose alternative measures.

On Monday the Samoa Observer had reported that Tuilaepa refused to answer questions about the meeting.

Asked whether Cabinet has reached a decision regarding the elders' visit, and if they had responded to a letter in which the Government had been asked to reconsider the taxing of Church Ministers' alofa, Tuilaepa declined to comment.

"Don't ask me about that," he told the media.

"Leave the pastors alone - until they want to pay their taxes, that is none of your business."

"See how disrespectful you are, can't you see I don't want to talk about it and yet you are still asking?"

Tuilaepa said that of the thirty-five different Christian denominations in Samoa, 34 had not said anything.

And he added that those 34 denominations represented 75 percent of the population.

Earlier, Taufao, in referring to other church denominations who support the new taxes, said his congregation is a democracy and therefore the majority rules.

"It's like anything else - there are some people who support the laws if it's out of their respect for the Government, but the vast majority of church (sic), 98 percent or 99 percent support our congregation's position to stand firm on this taxing alofa issue."

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• sobserver.ws
• Image: samoaobserver.ws

But at a recent general assembly, the leaders of the Congregational Christian Church (CCCS) said they would ignore the law.

In a speech in parliament, the prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi praised the support of the leaders and members of the other denominations.

But he equated the CCCS's behaviour to holding the Government to ransom.

"The CCCS have pointed a gun at the Government's head.

"A government which was chosen by members of this House, which includes the head of this House and this Parliament.

"This is something the Government does not take lightly," said Tuilaepa.

"Parliament's authority is clear. They are empowered to discuss national developments and to review bills for the same.

"These bills, once passed by this House, are given to the Head of State to assent, which then become ‘Acts of Parliament'."

The CCCS is Samoa's largest denomination, with 29 percent of Samoans identifying with it, according to the 2016 census.

The church's general secretary, Reverend Vavatau Taufao, said the new law was seen by the assembly as an affront to their beliefs because many pastors lived off donations.

RNZ Pacific's correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, said while the pastors did indeed live off donations, many ministers lived quite comfortably on much more than the average Samoan.

He cited an example of a church minister getting $Tala 6000.00 - round about US$3,000 a fortnight.

Taufao said that while some pastors did earn decent money from donations, others - particularly in more remote areas - earned little. So it was unfair that they should be taxed.

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• samoaplanet.com
• Image: samoaplanet.com

The General Assembly (Fonotele) of the church has rejected outright the government's new law which imposes taxes on all church ministers.

One speaker at the Fonotele has gone so far as to predict that Government's decision to tax the head of state and church ministers is the beginning of the "downfall" of the 30-year rule of the Human Rights Protection Party.

The EFKS is the biggest and most influential denomination in the country.

The church's main point of contention is that what ministers receive from their congregations should not be taxable because they are voluntary donations.

Since the law to tax the head of state and church ministers became effective in January, the EFKS had refused to obey.

They said they would wait until their Fonotele this year to discuss the matter.

That Fonotele was held last week.

There was some support for the law but the final decision was to retain the opposition to the taxes.

The EFKS says rather than paying taxes it would prefer to make voluntary donations to the government.

The church executive will be meeting with the government this week to discuss this possibility.

The church women's group already makes annual donations to the health sector.

While the Fonotele was in progress, the prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi issued a clear warning.

"You will answer individually to the law," he said. "The law does not target the Church, rather it targets the church ministers individually."

"So what is Tuilaepa saying?" asked Mata'afa Keni Lesa in the Samoa Observer.

"That all members of the church who discussed and supported the rejection of the tax law should be charged and hauled to jail? Thousands of them too? What a scenario that would be."

The Ministry for Revenue placed notices in last Tuesday's newspapers thanking those ministers who have already registered with the tax office.

The notice also warns that the end of next month is the last day for registrations before the Ministry starts implementing other sections of the new law, including penalties.

Source

• sobserver.ws
• talamua.com
• sobserver.ws
• radionz.co.nz
• sobserver.ws
• radionz.co.nz
• Image: sobserver.ws

Documents leaked to the Samoa Observer show that the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (CCCS) will not observe a law requiring all church ministers to pay income tax.

According to the minutes of their meeting on 14 March 2018, the church will agree only after a discussion at their annual Malua conference this month.

The Prime Minister said unless it is officially announced by the church, he will not respond in case the report by the Samoa Observer is "inaccurate".

He reiterated the law targets the church ministers.

"It is directed to the church ministers meaning the hammer will fall on the head of the nail."

"That is why it is important to know that if the elders of the church try to interfere, we look back to the law which indicates that is being a party to a crime."

Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt declined to comment on what actions the Government will take if the church ministers do not follow the law.

"I'm sorry but no comment from me."

The Samoa Observer asked the Minister if he was scared of the church but he said: "I am not scared, I just don't want to elaborate on the issue."

It was put to the Minister that it is going on four months since the tax became effective.

"Currently the church ministers are undergoing registration, however, taxes should have already been paid as of January 2018," said Tialavea.

"The question as to how many church ministers who have not paid or have paid, I cannot say because I don't know."

Source

• samoaobserver.ws
• Image: pacificislandtimes.com

The citation noted that Tuila'epa had "presided over the most politically and economically stable and successful small democratic country in the Pacific".

"He is, quite simply, the most successful, the most eminent, and the most popular democratically elected politician in the Pacific."

Despite vocal criticism from some journalists and academics, that popularity has hardly waned. At Samoa's last general election, in 2016, Tuila‘epa's Human Rights Protection Party won 47 of 50 parliamentary seats.

Tuila'epa, 72, has been prime minister since late 1998. He'd served a long apprenticeship as Minister of Finance and loyal lieutenant under his predecessor Tofilau Eti Alesana.

Palemia, Tuila'epa's memoir written with Peter Swain and published by Victoria University Press, was launched this month in Auckland and Wellington. It follows Tuila'epa's journey from the isolated village of Lepa, to school in Apia, and then Auckland, and his career both on the world stage and back home in Samoa.

Peter Swain, a Wellingtonian who's worked for many years in development and is married to the former Labour MP Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, interviewed Tuila'epa over several years to capture his story in his own words.

There have been few political biographies of Pacific Island leaders, he writes.

"The second generation of Pacific Island political leaders has faced many complex issues as the post-independence honeymoon glow faded and the realities of leading small island nations with limited resources, in a globalising world and during difficult times, set in.

"Prime Minister Tuila‘epa is the standout leader of his generation and his story has many resonances beyond Samoa."

There are many New Zealand connections.

Tuila'epa studied in New Zealand, spending a year at St Paul's College in Ponsonby, Auckland, in preparation for Auckland University. He earned a bachelor's degree in commerce in 1968, and a master's in 1969.

Tuila'epa is a matai who holds eight titles, and is deeply grounded in fa'a-Samoa. He is a devout Catholic, and a father of eight. Continue reading

Sources

• E-Tangata article by Peter Swain, who has written extensively on the Pacific and is an Honorary Research Associate in Development Studies at Victoria University of Wellington.
• Image: Samoa Observer

He believes Samoa needs a bigger population.

So he is encouraging people to have more children to increase the population and among other things to provide "fast and strong boys for Manu Samoa."

He said he wonders who the idiot who came up with the idea of family planning.

"You know doctors; most of them have more children than most of us. There is that saying that goes like, 'Do as I say and not as I do'."

Tuilaepa says couples are prioritising their work rather than making babies to increase the population. He believes this should change.

"For example, if you married in your early twenties, then you should have at least ten children."

He said having many children has lots of benefits... "when you are old and crippled, at least you will have a lot of children to give you your cigarette and massage you."

Earlier this month, Tuilaepa also commented on this issue blaming the roles reversal in married couples.

He said because women now have better paid career jobs than men, the population of Samoa is growing slowly.

"The fact of the matter is that, most of the Universities graduates we have now are women. Therefore, they have better jobs and high salaries than men."

"This has resulted in women going to work while men stay at home and take care of the children."

The prime minister's comments have drawn some sharp responses.

Source

• samoaobserver.ws
• Image: radionz.co.nz

The bill, which had its second reading last week, was widely supported by Parliament.

The 2016 Explanatory Memorandum attached to Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 2) says the government wants to amend the Constitution to declare the dominance of Christianity in Samoa.

Leasiolagi Malama Meleisea said unclean if amendment will continue to guarantee religious freedom.

He is the Director of Samoan Studies at the National University of Samoa.

"They are framing their concern about Islamism and so on in a very emotional way," Leasiolagi said.

"So the leaders of the main Christian denominations are more or less saying that we want to protect our turf but in order for us to air these concerns we are going to frame it in the context of what is happening in the world."

As it stands, the Constitution's only reference to Christianity is in the preamble.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielega said that means it is not part of the Constitution.

"This does not stand in Court as it is not included in the body of the Constitution."

Tuilaepa said with the amendment, reference to Christianity will be included in body of the Constitution.

"The phrase "Samoa is founded on God" will be taken out.

Instead "Samoa is a Christian nation founded of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." will be inserted into the Constitution

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• sobserver.ws
• Image: samoaobsever.ws

Toaipuapua Opapo Patrick, the woman claiming to have stigmata, is in Rome where the phenomenon is being examined by officials of the Church.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La'aulialemalietoa Polataivao Fosi accompanied Toa to Rome a few weeks ago.

"Her claims have been put through the process at the Vatican," La'auli told the Samoa Observer.

"The church has its own jurisdiction in terms of investigating these matters. It doesn't happen to one country it is happening around the world but it's the first case for the Pacific."

La'auli said Toa, her husband, Patrick and her father, Rev. Opapo Oeti have settled into an apartment in Rome while the investigation continues .

According to La'auli, his duty was to accompany Toa as a government official to assist her in Rome.

"It coincided with a meeting I attended for F.A.O in Rome," he said.

During a recent interview with the Savali Newspaper, prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, expressed support for Toa's trip.

"I have been asked to help with the translation of the writings in Hebrew, done during the revelation to Ms Toaipuapuaga.

One such occurrence happened in front of my own eyes," he said.

"As leader of the country it is logical that people in need should seek the help of their leader.

"This supernatural event has happened in Samoa. Not in New Zealand, Australia or any other Christian Pacific Islands."

"To me it is a special divine blessing for Samoa and we Samoan Christians should thank the Lord for His choice of Ms Toaipuapuaga for His mission and a thumbs up for the Pastor of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa for his daughter and for the first ever CCCS stigmata that I know of to have happened to a member of the Protestant faith," said Tuilaepa.

Source

• sobserver.ws
• savalinews.com
• Image: 4.bp.blogspot.com

Following the audience, Malielegaoi met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, and Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, the Under-Secretary for Relations with States.

The discussion focused on some aspects of the social and economic life of Samoa.

The valued contribution of the Catholic Church in various sectors of Samoan society and, in particular, in the field of education was also raised.

This was followed by an exchange of opinions on the international and regional situation, with special reference to the Conference on climate change currently taking place in Paris, and the environmental problems that some Pacific island states must face.

Source

• en.radiovaticana.va
• Image: en.radiovaticana.va

Lawyer Leulua'iali'i Olinda Woodroffe who accompanied the delegation to the meeting said the prime minister has promised to write to the Elders in Brisbane and Utah.

One of the delegates, Anne Siakisina Hakula, said they were never told the reason for the ban directly.

"We only knew of the ban when one of the Elders was a guest at one of our festivities," she said.

"There, the Elder gave a speech and at the end of it said ethnic languages will no longer be used in services without giving any reasons for the decision."

"There were no talks or negotiations between the stakes and the Elders over the issue," she said.

When they disputed the ban "they threatened to remove our names from the list of LDS members."

The members then turned to the Human Rights Court and no more threats were issued.

Source

• Talamua online
• Image: Talamua online

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi opened the Sydney branch in Liverpool recently.

He said that promoting awareness of gender-based violence is important, as is offering a place of safety for victims.

He added that the Samoa Victim Support is strongly supported by the government and went on to say that it "is clearly a very important part in our national response. It is a response that includes government, non government and civil society organizations to address this silent menace that continues to plague our communities in Samoa".

At the recent Pacific Islands Forum meeting in the Cook Islands, Prime Minister Tuilaepa said Pacific leaders were urged to face up to the issues of victim support and domestic violence. A special fund of AUS$320 million to support gender equality efforts in the Pacific had been announced by Australian PM Julia Gillard at the Forum.

"It included in the stated objectives the improved safety of women through the prevention of violence and access to justice," Prime Minister Tuilaepa said.

He urged the Samoan community in Australia to use the Samoa Victim Support Group's services to the full.

"In Samoa the message and awareness of the rights of women and children who find themselves in violent and abusive relationships is delivered with the support of village councils and the churches working through these established organizations. It certainly has the full backing of government", he said.

Sources

• Savali
• Image: Samoan Woman (S.U.G.A.)

He made this comment following a brawl between Avele and St Joseph's colleges in Apia on Tuesday.

The clash - involving a number of students scrapping and throwing rocks and bottles - took place at the bus depot behind the flea market at around 2.30 in the afternoon. Several cars were damaged as Police and firemen struggled to control the melee.

"Samoa only has to look at Singapore as an example of how corporal punishment works," Tuilaepa said.

"Singapore allows the administering of corporal punishment by the State and that country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. So obviously they must be doing something right."

Five students have been charged by Police for fighting at a public bus stop causing injury to a father of Maagiagi and also injured two students of Saint Joseph's College who were sitting at the bus stop when the fighting started.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Leaupepe Fatu Pula confirmed that one of the students facing charges is from the National University of Samoa, who is an ex-student of SJC.

Leaupepe also confirmed that four other students from Saint Josephs College between the ages of 15-17 year old have been charged.

Source

• SavaliNews.com
• Talamua
• Talamua
• Image: BabyResearchProjects

At a press conference on Thursday New Zealand Prime Minster, John Key, said he and Samoan Prime minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi had discussed the possibility of expanding the existing Recognised Seasonal Employer Strategy, which enables Samoans to access seasonal horticulture and viticulture work, to include trades. "And that's a possibility in Christchurch," according to Key.

Earlier in a speech to mark the 5oth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between Samoa and New Zealand Key said Samoans are making a rich and important contribution to the fabric of New Zealand . "The arts and culture of Samoan New Zealanders have enriched New Zealand, and helped form part of our national identity."

Key said "Many of New Zealand's national and international achievements reflect the contributions of highly talented Samoans - whether in arts, literature, sport, film-making, music, business, or a host of other areas. Those success stories are as much Samoan as New Zealand."

"This is reflected in the delegation travelling with me. We have political leaders, church leaders, sports heroes, business people and academics. These are all prominent and proud representatives of Samoan New Zealand communities," he said.

Source

• Voxy.co.nz
• Island Business
• Image: Te News