Jan 4 as Malietoa Day in Samoa ?

Written by Mathew Lemisio
Sunday, 13 January 2008
*His Highness the late Malietoa Tanumafili II* For years, January 4th was perhaps one a few special public holidays in Samoa apart from Easter, White Sunday and of course Christmas. It’s when the government and the people of Samoa celebrate the birthday of the late Head of States, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II. Usually the government would throw a birthday luncheon for His Highness and those invited, usually the heads of government organizations, diplomatic corps, members of the business community and of course the public would have the chance to wish His Highness a happy birthday in person. But following His Highness’ passing away last year, it was predicted that come January 4th this year, a birthday bash for His Highness is no longer on the cards. Even if (January 4th) as a public holiday. The government saw it was no longer necessary to have January 4th as a public holiday so it removed it from the list of its public holidays. For some, namely those in the business circle, it was a wise move as Samoa is probably one of those countries with a high number of public holidays. Having too many public holidays could prove costly for businesses and of course the country as a whole, so the move to declare January 4th as no longer a public holiday was justifiable. But what some find difficult to take in is the fact that the government seemed to have completely forgotten about the importance of this day. “I was actually shocked not to hear or read anything being done to remember Malietoa’s birthday this year,” an avid reader of Newsline said this week. “I mean all these years, it’s Malietoa’s birthday after the festivities of Christmas and New Years. But this year there was nothing, its like our late Head of States never existed. Newsline Newspaper Catch up with News. Grab a Newsline today. Only $2 tala. Available at all leading retail stores. “I can totally understand why it is no longer a public holiday, but what I find odd is the fact that there wasn’t anything done to sort of commemorate this special day. It doesn’t have to be huge thing or even a public holiday. “But perhaps why not officially declare January 4th Malietoa day. That way, our children in the future will know that January 4th every year was Malietoa’s birthday, besides it’s a sign of respect for Malietoa. “ Chief executive officer for the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Vaasatia Poloma Komiti told Newsline on Friday that the government has no plans to have any special ceremonies to commemorate the late Head of States birthday. “At the moment,” Vaasatia said, “the government has no plans for January 4th. All I can say is that it is no longer a public holiday.” He further commented that the government also has no plans to throw the sort of birthday celebrations Malietoa had for the current Head of States, His Highness, Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi. “Also at the moment we haven’t had any plans for that (Tuiatua’s birthday),” he said. Meanwhile, the Newsline reader still believe that January 4th should be declared a national day in Samoa. “I think in America, birthdays of former Presidents are still remembered by declaring whatever birth date of a former President as that President’s day. “The late Malietoa was one of the longest serving Head of States in the world,” he said. “That’s an achievement in itself am sure the late Malietoa deserves to be remembered on the day of his birthday the way Americans remember their former Presidents.” He was under no illusion though that the government has completely forgotten about the late Head of States. “That’s what I personally feel but am sure the government knows better of these sort of things than most of us do. But it was rather disappointing that none was done or said about His Highness on January 4th this year.” Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Sunday, 13 January 2008 )

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