Samoa PM

Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi told the Samoa Observer that the law gives the Minister of Justice, Fa'aolesa Katopau Ainu'ū, the authority to direct the movement of Court files.

The newspaper had asked why the Government had not acted in relation to Fa'aolesā's role in the removal of files.

An investigation was launched by the Public Service Commission after a ministry driver reported files had been removed and taken to the offices of the minister.

A question on the debate during Australia’s election campaign about climate change was posed to the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres at a press conference in Suva this week.

Guterres replied,” “If I have learned something in more than 20 years of political life is that foreigners should not get involved in electoral debates in other countries, so I do not intend to get involved in the national debate of Australia.”

Tuilaepa, who has been vocal about the effects of climate change in the Pacific, gave his own answer.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi won a silver medal in the mixed recurve team event at the 2007 Games in Apia and announced at the weekend his intention to represent Samoa once again at the 2019 event on home soil.

President of the Archery Samoa Federation, Muaausa Joseph Walter, competed alongside the Prime Minister 12 years ago and said he always expected the 74-year-old would want to give the Games another crack.

"When he competes with us I suppose he takes off his Prime Minister hat and he's part of the group," he said.

Critics have labelled the appointment of Oscar as Chief Executive of the Ministry as one example of corruption in government and nepotism.

However, PM Tuilaepa said this is furthest from the truth.

Tuilaepa told the Lowy Institute in Sydney that climate change posed an "existential challenge" to low lying islands in the Pacific, and developed countries needed to reduce pollution in order to curb rising temperatures and sea levels.

"We all know the problem, we all know the solutions, and all that is left would be some political courage, some political guts, to tell people of your country there is a certainty of disaster," he said.

Bainimarama welcomed Tuilaepa before accompanying him to a traditional welcoming ceremony that was performed by the members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

Fijivillage reports the Samoan Prime Minister commended Bainimarama and the Fijian government for the ceremonies of welcome accorded to him and his delegation.

He said that in more ways than one as a Pacific family Fiji and Samoa share many commonalities and what we all hold sacred is our customs and traditions.

He has also invited Bainimarama to visit Samoa.

In a media conference yesterday, Tuilaepa said the New Zealand Samoan fighter was clearly unfit is his loss to Dillian Whyte in London at the weekend.

"At least three times he had the chance to put his opponent down but he was not fit," he said.

Tuilaepa said he spoke with him after the unification bout loss to Anthony Joshua in April.

"I told him your trainer has reached the end of his knowledge and know how in boxing, he needs to go," said Tuilaepa.

The annual pay packet of Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has been reduced by $US2000 to about $70,500 that is from $WST187,500 to $WST182,070.

Most of the country's judges will receive pay increases of up to $US2000 while deputy presidents and judges of the Land and Titles Court got more than $3800 each.

The Chief Justice has been given a modest increase by comparison of $US125 bringing his annual salary to about $US64,000 or $WST165,270.

Tuilaepa and his cabinet approved the new payments following recommendations from the Salaries Tribunal.

“But it will not detain me from reiterating a message of sympathy and condolences to the parents and families,” Tuilaepa said in a statement issued following reports of the deaths.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. And I can imagine that there is no pain more far reaching and deeper than losing a child. My heart and prayers go out to the grieving families at this most difficult time. To that effect, I humbly extend my deepest sympathy, condolences and pray that comfort and peace will come to them.

The government press office said the page was created over the holidays without the Prime Minister's knowledge or approval, and has since been removed.

But the page made a number of bogus announcements, including a promise to increase pension payments to US$78 a month, up from $53.

The government said there were no plans to increase pension payments.

Tuilaepa said he had no plans to create a Facebook account either, saying he would not waste his time with "such silly things".