While a swearing in of the new senator for Manu’a District No 1 has been scheduled for next Monday morning, a talking chief of the district informs KHJ News that the selection of the new senator is “procedurally flawed.”
Last week KHJ News reported that Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega had written to the Senate President informing him that High Talking Chief Logoai Siaki Logoai had been selected to fill the vacancy created by the passing of the late Senator Paramount Chief Galeai Moaaliitele Tu’ufuli.
He attached to his letter certification signed by the county chiefs of Tau, Fitiuta and Faleasao as well as 13 chiefs of the district that they have selected Logoai to be the new senator.
However a matai of the district HTC Tauese Vaa Sunia said this past weekend, their village of Ta’u, held their first meeting of the year and the selection of the new senator was discussed.
Tauese said what was confirmed and verified is “that there was never a district meeting convened to discuss a new senator to fill the vacancy. And there was no notification for a meeting”.
According to Tauese only the Fitiuta Village Council selected Logoai. But since the seat belongs to the district the decision must come from the district.
Tauese conveyed that it‘s the belief of Ta’u matais, that as members of the village council and district, “they have been deprived of the right and denied of the opportunity to contend and be considered for the seat”.
They are also of the opinion that there’s a procedural flaw with the selection process and this must be addressed to ensure adequate and just procedures for selection in order to uphold the integrity of the process.
He said all that Ta’u village is asking for is an opportunity to take part and be heard and more importantly to implement proper rules for selection.
Regarding the certification letter which was provided as proof of Logoai’s selection. Tauese explained that one of the two Ta’u matai whose signature appears on the Samoan Affairs form for Logoai’s selection – Leasaū, admitted to the village council that he was misled by Logoai which led to him affixing his signature.
Tauese also quoted Manu’a District Governor Laolagi Vaeao stating at a meeting at the Office of Samoan Affairs that he was under the assumption upon seeing the signatures of two Ta’u chiefs, Leasaū and To’oto’o Faamausili on the form, that the district has met and selected Logoai.
Tauese said, “The truth of the matter is, the village of Ta’u was never notified of a district meeting and Ta’u village did not validate the selection of Logoai”.
He added that the Senate seat represents the interest of the district not one’s own personal interest.
And he indicated that legal action may be forthcoming.
Said Tauese, “While our village council is looking to retain a lawyer to represent the interest of the village matais and Ta’u people, we are hopeful that the Office of Samoan Affairs, the Governor and Fono will help us and take part in correcting the procedural wrong for the sake of the district and integrity of the selection process for others to follow in the future. “
