To Switch Or Not To Switch, Mulinuu Here We Come

Written by Pio Sioa
Sunday, 16 December 2007
On this day in Samoa we march to the House of God dressed in white, with the Holy Bible firmly in hand that holds the divine principles of Christian life. Today in Samoa is the Lord’s day – a day reserved for prayers. Congregationalists sit. Methodists bend sideways. Catholics kneel. Baptists shout…and so forth and so on. Each to their own, but with one purpose in mind and that is to worship God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Sunday is also the first day of a new week. The day after is Monday, when people march to workplaces dressed in working clothes, until Sunday comes along once again to change the drum beat of daily living. This is established tradition disrupted only by legal degree or some rare occasion. Such a rare occasion presents itself tomorrow when the ‘People Against Side Switch or PASS, march in white not to the House of God, but to the House of Politics at Mulinu’u. Instead of the Holy Bible held firmly in hand, the people will have banners and placards with the message that has united their beliefs and convictions on their natural wellbeing. The message is to the political gods of Samoa in the House of Politics, not to force Samoa to drive on the ‘wrong side’ of the road. Like the Methodists, the protesters will bend sideways to ensure the message of protest is fully exposed. The marchers will shout like the Baptists but not in praise but in condemnation, When they reach the country’s seat of power at the Tiafau Malae, they will sit as the Congregationalists do. Ultimately, the protesters wish is to bring the Government’s road switch policy to its knees, not for the same purpose the Catholics kneel in prayer, but to stop the policy from becoming law. When people march to the House of God on Sunday, they do so with humble hearts. When the protesters march to Mulinu’u on Monday they will do so with angry hearts. While the unseen angels of Heaven watch over those who march to church with serene calmness, the police will be alert and anxiously watchful over the protesters. When protest leader, lawyer Toleafoa Solomona To’ailoa, speaks before the multitude at Parliament Grounds, he would be like Moses standing before the ‘Children of Israel’ calling on the Pharaoh of Egypt to let the demands of his people answered. When PM Tuilaepa emerges from his political domain in Parliament, he is the Pharaoh who will decree as the ruler of the land that the protesters petition will be considered very carefully. What he says is established tradition in the handling of protest marches to Parliament. He will promise Moses Toleafoa, that a selected committee of Parliament will review their concerns. The country will be duly informed once a decision is reached. The ‘Children of Samoa’ will then disperse. What follows is an anxious lull as the issue is debated inside the heart of the decision making realm. Public attention, accompanied by a groundswell of speculations is switched on to the thrust and counter thrusts of political fencing. Will Government MP’s defy the party stance and vote to reject the road switch? Will Samoa’s Pharaoh follow the example of the Egyptian leader in the time of Moses and remain unmoved? Pharaoh Tuilaepa has already indicated an official ban on LHD cars by February next year, followed by a lapse period of 2 years before the switch becomes official. The protesters however are not prepared to accept that. Whether or not the Prime Minister insists to proceed as planned will probably depend on the size and strength of tomorrow’s march. The turnout will determine for the first time the extent of the country’s concern. Will this be the biggest challenge to the Prime Minister since he took up the reins of leadership? The signs are there already . What the future holds will be there for everyone to see on the road to Mulinu’u tomorrow. Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Monday, 17 December 2007 )

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