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FrontPage arrow The News arrow Politics arrow Video Clip : RHD Bill Goes Into Law
Video Clip : RHD Bill Goes Into Law PDF Print E-mail
Written by Pio Sioa   
Friday, 18 April 2008
The highly controversial Right Hand Drive legislation, to switch sides of the road for Samoa to drive on is about to go into law. Parliament will today go through the final motions of applying the approval stamp.
The legislation has been a hard fight for Government against stiff public opposition.
The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi reflected on what his Goveernment went through to win out in the end, in this exclusive interview with Samoalivenews.com







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Comments (13)Add Comment
Samoa fought a good fight
written by Sam Afa, April 18, 2008
We came out defeated! For the sake of our people I hope what lies in the future will be kind. We can not predict the economic and especially the public safety implications of this law. I am sure our collective prayers will guide us. God help us all.
cheers!!!
written by nzder, April 18, 2008
The majority of Samoans who didn't participate on that march last Monday are the real winners. The reason why they didn't turn up for that protest was because they have no cars to take them to Apia. So the passing of this law will be a clear winner for them, the below average population in our country. As I mentioned before, this change will benefit all of us. The PM is considering the majority of Samoans who are residing in NZ and Oz who are the main source of financial help for their families in Samoa.
The US have had their turn, now it is the NZ and OZ turns.
Malo lava le faamalosi Tuilaepa!
written by Malo lava Palemia, April 19, 2008
It takes a brave man to stand up to the business elites in Samoa. Even the biased so-called 'independent' and 'objective' media were controlled by the business people. You could clearly see that in this RHD affair.
...
written by Tama ulavale, April 19, 2008
And your point cheers is out of reasons and out of reach. New zealand cars are more expensive than US cars and there are not that many trucks coming from New Nealand as the reason for cars to work at the family farms.
RHD
written by A. V., April 20, 2008
I think its time for all of us to move foward and agree with what our government chose. I think the matter here is not about who will benefit from the change but of fear of changes. Nothing in this world comes without costs, and we are Samoans have been through a lot in the past, get on with it for the sake of your grandchildren
RHD's are AOK
written by RHD are AOK, April 20, 2008
The bill is passed - time to get over it already. Cheaper cars for everyone - can't be a bad thing...really - get over it!!!
Don't give up
written by AC Boy, April 20, 2008
Too bad when a blind man leads a country. You are more focused to win on RHD than finding ways so Samoa can be economically independent. He never mentioned cars from the US and our contributions to our islands. Probably all your families live in Aus and NZ because the US government rejected their visas. Its all good man. I wish you and your party well. For those of you who opposed this bill. Please don't worry God has a plan.

Malo le tau!
I cant believe this :(
written by H.P, April 20, 2008
This is unbelievable. Cars in New Zealand and Australia are way too expensive compared to the ones in the U.S ....It's really pathetic listening to the P.M and his encouragement of the samoan people to rely on the people in New Zealand and Australia to send cars.PRIME MINISTER. WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

The people in New Zealand and Aussie think this is good BUT they do not know anything coz they are NOT living in Samoa .

tip of the ice berg
written by fluffy thoughts, April 20, 2008
Malo everyone

Just a thought, Well now everyone settle down. bill of RHD has gone thru. whateva the outcome, it reminds me of the universal suffrage bill and the VAGST as well. NOW the RHD and very soon the Land bill. are we really for change???? are we really ready to sacrifice for all of these. Ponders me to think beyond the horizon, Are the ruthless critics here living in Samoa or with the comfort of the ANONY, keeps the peace. What I have seen here is people who are in Samoa are against the RHD ,and those who are far away, enjoys the comfort of the keyboard.

My point is peace, lets hope peace will prevail and nobody gets hurt. I remember a few years back when most of those against the government were from NZ and Aussie, Now its a Different story.

come to Samoa and witness
Walk the talk
written by fluffy thoughts, April 20, 2008
Talofa everyone.

Whatever the RHD comes out to be. Lets face it. why are the most ruthless critics on PASS, always appears to be living a dream from outside Samoa. those who can afford to talk on this forum certainly are not living in Samoa. you may argue about your contribution, But come the Switch and this is what you would see is Samoa. For all those who are here and joining from Samoa, 300 buses offloading you guys in the middle of the road, as well as taxis.

it is a crime for the business people in Samoa to cry out for their losses, simply because they are business people, and they own car rental business wil be in jeopardy because of the RHD.

Do you really believe that RHD will bring prosperity in Samoa. the Taxation regulations that were there for years didnt help, ask the poultry farmers, BUT ask the farmers what are their Number ONE problem, Cost of pesticides, which the government cannot give a license to overseas companies, remeber Samoatel and Dgicel, competition brought competitions and downs the cost, what about the Agrostore and the Farm supplies, who runs both of them, Are you blind? Many compoanies applied but the government didnt give. why

CEO posts get a triburnal to decide but the final decision comes from the Cabinet of HRPP members. the land bill almost slips with its RHD diversion.

RHD will improve agricultural production, yah whatever. what about the taxation, imported eggs supposed to be taxed, and exempt the local producers but what is happenning now. Allow those in the Ululoloa community to flourish while.....

Peace people

Singed By, Seeing corruption first hand


Democracy Dies
written by DAWI, April 21, 2008
Well judging by the majority of the comments above we seem to have accepted this Bill because it is passed. So this how democracy dies in Samoa, with a few protests and at the end of the day we sit back and put our feet up and accept defeat. Typical if you asked me. The truth of the matter is I really don't care which side we drive on whether it be behind a right or left handed steering wheel, so long as i have two pair of wheels to drive on.

But what gets me uneasy is how we were bossed into this law. As if all off a sudden the Government of day, put there to decide whats best for us, decided to think for us instead. Last I checked our country is called Samoa, not HRPP.

How hypocritical a political party like the HRPP can get? Even by their name itself, they profess to be for the protection of human rights. But when a majority takes to the street and signs a petition in a clear protest against this bill, they are silenced and ignored. Even our right to a referendum, so as to have our say about an issue that goes to the core of our everyday life is denied us. Who will we, the Samoan people, turn to if our rights is not protected by the very Executive and Parliament created for this very purpose. There is little our Head of State can do, after all he is but a figure head.

The answer is we don't turn to anyone instead we press ahead. We must be vigilant and realize that the authority they have is only authenticated by the conscious and rational of the Samoan people that voted them there. It is clear to me now that we have voted the wrong people in power. All the promises made to us has been broken when they became so absorbed in the privileges of the office that they hold, that they forgot who put them in Office to begin with. This HRPP is a blight, if they are not stopped now who knows what else they will take from us, now they plan to take our lands how much more must we sacrifice to their arrogance.

I guess the old saying is true that 'absolute power corrupts absolutely.'

peace out!

will see...
written by nzder, April 22, 2008
if numbers of cars in Samoa is going to double or treble as the results of this bill then that's the final verdict of who's the cheapest.
Kailo ia se
written by its everywea, April 29, 2008
Kalofae i si o'u atunuu pele o Samoa - its sad to see what looks like 'another one biting the dust' pei o le pese foi lea....
I am quite surprised about how fast these bills are being made law - despite the protests....The issue changes from being about RHD to about losing democratic voice in our countries. If its any consolation to you in our motherland - NZ is no different... Bills are being passed without even a sideway look to the people who are saying NO to them....antismacking bill, government advertising bill, civil union bill, etc etc.....
We feel your pain and stand with the people.....because at the end of the day - when we visit - its for no more than 4wks at a time and we dont really care about what side we drive on - but I do care about how laws are being passed and what the motives and drives are behind them.....Bullying isnt allowed in childrens playgrounds and it shouldnt be allowed in governments either...!!!

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Last Updated ( Friday, 18 April 2008 )
 
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