Thirteen of the fourteen opposition Members of Parliament have agreed, to form themselves into a political party, but shall remain leaderless and nameless until such a time when it is appropriate to do so.
This was the official outcome of a meeting at the Iiga Kalapu building, behind the main Parliament building last Friday, where the new political grouping met and agreed to unite.
The meeting lasted an unexpected four hours, and Newsline understands that things almost fell through, when the leader of the Samoa United Development Party, MP Asiata Saleimoa, remained adamant about forming a coalition.
The independent members however wanted a whole new fresh start, and it was finally agreed they would unite under a new political party.
An interim executive committee is now appointed to co-ordinate the party activities and handles all the necessary preparations for putting the new party together – that includes a name and leader for the party.
The Faleata i Sisifo MP Lealailepule Rimoni, chairs the three member executive committee, with Safata MP Tuia Letoa, as Secretary and Falealili MP Fuimaono Tei, as Treasurer.
“Forming a new party is not an easy thing because all our members are level headed,” MP Lealailepule told Newsline. “But we have all agreed, we are united, and we are stronger now.”
The party spokesman admitted that the show of public opinion against the road switch policy was the main unifying factor for all of them.
“We could see the need for a stronger opposition and the public have also demanded that we must come together and form a united and more stronger opposition to Government,” MP Lealailepule explained.
He went on to concede that the weak opposition in the past has made it easier for Government to push through its controversial Right Hand Drive and Land Reform policies.
“A stronger opposition would have provided a stronger deterrent factor for Government, like with the RHD and land bill.”
Winning the support of the people and establishing the credibility of the new political grouping is one of their top priorities now, according to the Chairman.
He also added that the two years left before the 2011 general elections is a short period of time for putting a strong party together.
“We have a lot of work to do, we have to win the confidence of the people because right now they no longer have any confidence in the opposition party.
“If we want to win we have to go out to the grassroots people, that is number one in our strategic plans for establishing our credibility.”
Standing Orders of the House will not allow for official recognition of the new party, but it holds little concern for MP Lealailepule.
He subscribes to the belief that as long as they carry their viewpoints with authority, their contribution will be more important in establishing the support and trust of the listening public.
“Nothing is impossible,” MP Lealailepule asserted about the chances of dethroning the Government from the seat of power.
“The HRPP is no longer the kind of party we used to know, cracks are starting to appear in their members, and I predicted this. They are too powerful and too many of them it is not healthy, there is now frictions as members are starting to challenge the administration of the party.”
The first order of business now for the new party is to organize a national competition to determine a name for the party.
MP Lealailepule assures also that they will elect a leader of the party in time to take them into the general elections.
He refrained however from commenting about the absence of former SDUP leader, MP Le Mamea Ropati, who is not included in the new grouping.
“The answer will have to come from him, we have approached him on several occasions, but he did not turn up to any of our meetings.”
I am so happy to hear about this opposition party. About time that some MPs come to decision and cooperate on a common cause. Pity they didn't form prior to the RHD switch but this is better than nothing. Malo lava and hope this party stay strong as there needs to be an opposition in place to keep the HRPP in check.
... written by teine mai meleke,
April 28, 2008
Manaia lea vaega ua tauataata mai ai se fesoasoani mo le taumafaiga a le mamalu a le atunuu mo le taofiina o tulafono taufaaosi ae pulepuletutuina lona pasiaina. Malo lava le manatu i mea lelei i lea sui ua ia taumafai e faatu mai se vaega e agaia le Malo. Aua o le mea moni lava pau lenei o le atunuu ua leai se pati e agaia le itu o lo o taitaiina le malo. Ia tulai maia ma tau le taua ia manumalo. Talosia foi ina ia musumusina e le Agaga i latou o lo o i taiga ina ia fai ni a latou filifiliga tonu ma sao aua le soifua ma le saogalemu o le mamalu ol le atunuu o lo o aumai mai i si o tatou atunuu pele o Samoa.
FAAMANUIA LE ATUA IA OUTOU TAUMAFAIGA. IA TUTU MAI TOA MALOLOSI E TAU LE TAUA.
agent written by James Tuf,
April 30, 2008
Faafetai mo le avanoa. Talofa Lava to all the people of Samoa. I am a concerned citizen living in the US and cannot stand all these politics that is going on in my beloved country of Samoa. Congratulations to MP Lealailipule Rimoni and the rest of the New Found Party for an oustanding leadership and having the "Guts" to stand up this One Man Ruled Government by the Prime Minister. What's going to be banned next in Samoa? The American Dollar? First was the Turkey tail, and now the left handed vehicles which are both from the US. "The right handed vehicles are good for the people in the remote areas so it will be easy for the people to jump in their vehicles and headed for the mountains during the Tzunamis...." something in that sort is what his (PM) excuse for changing the side of the road to drive on. Kindergarten kids might take this excuse but not thousands and thousands of well educated Samoan People. Samoan Brothers and Sisters please wake up and smell the roses before you get buried in them. Why I am so concerned? Let me tell you where I fit in the Food Chain. Every month I send money to my families in Samoa. (US dollars). This helps out with the cost of living and paying the VAGST which I heard is going to be raised again. Keep in mind that cost of living is oil driven which is forecasted to be going up again. Let me see, by the time this will happen, may be one gallon of gas over here in the US will be estimated at five to six dollars. May be four or more TALAs per litre over there in Samoa. May be by the time this whole nonsense if it ever happens finishes, there will be mules/horses and carts on the left side of the road instead of vehicles, cause people would not afford gasoline or food. Left Side or Right side should be no problem if Samoa is right next to Kuwait where the black gold(OIL) is abundance, but I think that there will be a lot of raises of VAGST in the future to finance this Left Side to Hell. For all the Taxi Drivers/Owners, make sure you challenge that Generalizing Law about not having stickers on the bumbers of your vehicles. There should be a LM..or LC..(laws) which specifically states that that is prohibited. Consult your lawyers which are experts of the Law instead of somebody's misinterpretation. Thank you to this newsmedia for the opportunity to express and illustrate my views about our country Samoa which I think it is still a Democratic nation, and my prayers that it will not adopt any other nations way of running the government.
James T VAGST (Samoan Tax Payer) in the US
Always Leaders inside, just not any to stand as th written by The Rubicon is Crossed,
April 30, 2008
this party will not remain headless or leaderless take the time do it right--- the Point of No Return gone past, the sun has set on HRRP and the meanders inside the majority will abandon soon, if not planning already on the escape plan count on one thing-- the declarations will divide a house already abuzz with shuffling feets to the left, dance to the left-- to the right I said, dance to the right this dance you cannot have two left feet, for one feet to dance and one to keep you upright get it--- the Hellospont is crossed, burn the ships.... no one leaves alive
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