Samoa

Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi told the Samoa Observer that people hiding behind pseudonyms on blogs and social media pages should know they cannot hide forever.

Last week parliament approved the criminal libel act, which it had removed in 2013.

When asked how government plans to deal with overseas bloggers who criticize the government, Tuilaepa said there are lawyers who will deal with them.

He also deflected claims the aim of the criminal libel law was to cripple media who criticize the government.

The Supreme Court last Friday delivered its decision in its final criminal case for the year.

The defendant was found guilty of one count of forgery and one of making a false document with the intention to register his new matai title.

The court heard from several village matais who gave evidence in support of the prosecution that the defendant was not bestowed with the title To'afaiga of Moata'a village in a traditional ceremony.

Photo caption: Traditional ava ceremony

The purpose of the change is to eliminate confusion around the appropriate number to call the police, fire and hospital emergency services.

The change aims to improve response times.

The government said all 911 calls will be dispatched from the call centre at the Fire and Emergency Services headquarters in Apia.

The heirs of the title, Malietoa Natuitasina, Malietoa Talavou, and Malietoa Moli bestowed the title on Papalii Faamausili Moli, the son of the late head of state, susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II.

In June, that decision was then published in the Savali newspaper for three months, allowing any member of the extended family to file objections, a requirement of the Lands and Titles court legislation.

On December the 5th, the court heard objections and petitions by the extended family on who was chosen.

Police are advising the public not to approach them as they are considered dangerous.

The two prisoners who are still at large are Aniseko Vaelei and Uili Manuleleua.

Included in the group that escaped is Lauititi Tualima who on an earlier escape from Tafaigata had raped an Australian tourist after tying up her and her fiance.

Recaptured with Tualima was Vaioa Solia.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service says 70 per cent of dengue fever cases in the last two months have been from Samoa. 

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Denise Barnfather says there's no vaccine in the Pacific for dengue fever, and the only way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquitoes.

"Dengue fever can be a severe illness. Those who travel to Pacific countries frequently are at risk of repeat infections with different strains of the dengue virus. This can lead to dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal."

Rudy Bartley said he's concerned the legislation will be used to force journalists to expose sources.

The government said the Criminal Libel Act targets unidentified bloggers who write defamatory remarks about others.

One such blogger, O Le Palemia, regularly attacks the government of Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi with accusations of corruption and nepotism.

But according to Mr Bartley, the criminal libel law will be ineffective in identifying such individuals.

Parliament passed an amendment bill under urgency on Tuesday which will increase the period for staying under such a visa from 60 to 90 days.

But Independent MP Olo Fiti Va'ai was concerned and said the increase could lead to some visitors entering the country as refugees.

Olo said the government should've considered a decrease to 30 days.

He said Samoa should also protect other neighbouring countries from being a haven for refugees.

The Asian Development Bank, the European Union and the New Zealand government contributed nine million US dollars to the re-opening of the Loto Samasoni, Fale o le Fe'e, and Alaoa hydropower plants.

The Samoa government and the Electric Power Corporation also contributed more than two million dollars.

The heavy flooding at the time of Cyclone Evans in December 2012 caused major damage to the three power stations.

Tuila'epa says the refurbishment and reopening of the plants is part of the government strategy when it comes to power generation.

The Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, has asked Parliament to approve the additional funds as a supplementary budget for the year 2017/18.

Part of the tax and duty rebates is understood to go towards Virgin Australia, following the termination of the airline agreement earlier this year.

Sili said the budget continues sound financial management and the theme set in the main budget of equity and fairness.

He said the government was still targeting the deficit to be within 3.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product.