PM

Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi spoke about the matter on national television after he learned about a man arrested during a recent police raid which garnered illegal firearms, drugs and ammunition.

Police said the man had been charged three times before on the same charges but had been released on bail.

Tuila'epa says it appears judges are living on a different planet and are completely ignorant of the reality the police are working with.

The man is due to appear in court on 28 August.

But first things first.

He realises that he has to earn a spot in the Samoa Archery Team to compete in the Games, first.

“I am not a walk in,” he said during practise Saturday afternoon at his residence. “There is no preferential treatment here and I am treated like any other competitor.

“Earning the right to represent your country at any international sporting event is the highest honour that any person can ask for. And I will make the final cut to compete in the Pacific Games on my own steam power.”

The duo staged a protest during the launch of Samoa Airways flights to Brisbane.

They shouted abuse and threw items at the prime minister, including an uncooked pig's head.

Tuila'epa was unharmed.

He said the paramount concern was that Samoans "at home and abroad remain calm with peace and the rule of law prevailing".

The prime minister called the protest a "childish attempt to embarrass all Samoans which failed miserably".

He is the longest serving prime minister in the Pacific region.

In his weekly radio interview, Tuila'epa said doctors had reassured him he was in good health with a heart that beats like a jet engine.

He succeeded the former Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana.

Tuila'epa has been an MP since 1980 after working as a public servant and a diplomat.

The prime minister met with his ruling HRPP caucus on Tuesday and afterwards he dismissed reports of a rift within the party.

RNZI reports Tui'laepa vehemently denied reports of a move to topple his leadership while he was away.

Tuila'epa says he doubted the caucus would make such a move.

He told local reporters on Wednesday that members had laughed when the matter was discussed.

He accused the media of creating stories to sell.

“There is no reason for us to do such a senseless thing,” Tuilaepa told local broadcaster TV1.

He said marijuana was legalised in Saipan for medical purposes and the place of cultivation of the crop could only be accessed by Police of that country.

In Samoa, hardly a week goes by without a marijuana-related matter going before the court.

Possession of near completed joint have been known to land the possessor with a two-week jail sentence.

Decades of jailing smokers and growers have failed to stop use of marijuana.

Tuilaepa will also attend the 71st United Nations General Assembly in New York on 13 September – 4 October 2016.

“I am relieved to know that there was no loss of life, and there are no reports of anyone being seriously hurt from the fire.
“This is still a busy time for our fleamarket vendors so I sympathise with all of those who have suffered losses because of this unfortunate incident.
“We are urgently looking in to what caused this fire, and also looking at the best way forward for small business owners who are now facing a tougher start to this new year.

This is why he places great importance on the duties of the Police and the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture to ensure children are inside classrooms instead of the side of the roads.

“The Opposition Party in my view is suffering from four incurable diseases.

“They are either totally drunk, mentally challenged, deaf or just plain ignorance refusing to accept facts but in deliberate denial of the facts glaring point blank at them ,” refuted the Prime Minister.