Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi: What about God’s law?
Faleata Member of Parliament Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi & Falealupo Member of Parliament Fuiono Tenina Crichton
Photo: Eyespy Radio / Anetone Sagaga
Member of Parliament for Faleata No. 3 Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi asked lawmakers where “God’s law” stands in the midst of a 24-month suspension recommended by the legislative body’s Privileges and Ethics Committee.
Lealailepule, the General Secretary of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) was given the floor to speak after the recommendation to suspend him and Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi for 24 months was tabled by Speaker of the House Papali’i Lio Masipau.
It was an unexpected blow that took Lealailepule by surprise the previous night, he said.
The General Secretary for the H.R.P.P. said he met twice with the committee and both meetings went well.
Lealailepule was under the impression that the committee was going to provide a favourable recommendation conducive to moving the country forward
He thought the committee had changed their minds but he discovered Monday evening that they sought a 24-month suspension.
“After our second meeting, I left thinking the committee changed their minds,” Lealailepule stated.
Samoa’s three part democracy answers to the rule of law, he acknowledged, but Lealailepule then asked: “What about God’s law?”
He acknowledged there are laws that govern Parliament but added: “What about God’s law?”
“What about God’s law? What about the laws upon which our families, villages, Churches and government are founded?,” Lealailepule asked.
He lamented disappointment with the recommendation from the committee and noted that “only God can see, even to the depths of our hearts” and knows our every thought and desire.
The Opposition is at a disadvantage as they are outnumbered, he noted.
“Even so your Member of Parliament forgives,” Lealailepule said.
He commended leader of the H.R.P.P. Tuilaepa for his many years of service to Samoa and urged him to be patient and courageous.
Lealailepule apologized to his constituents of Faleata No. 3 and thanked them for bringing him to represent them in Parliament for another term.
He thanked his family, friends, wife and children for their support and told them to be brave.
Lealailepule reminded Parliament of the words of Father Louis Anthony Visesio Europa II who offered a prayer and sermon during the ceremony where Head of State His Highness Tuimaleali’ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II was sworn in at Parliament House earlier.
The Priest shared the words of Jesus delivered during his Sermon on the Mount and spoke on “spiritual poverty,” he said.
“Our reward is in heaven,” said Lealailepule.
If Parliament wishes to suspend him, them for being bothersome, the M.P. said he respects the wishes of Parliament.
Lealaipule closed his speech by pointing to the words of the Head of State who urged Parliament to clothe themselves with the love of God, and to forgive.
“The decisions we make now will live on long after we are gone,” he said.