Samoa: Prime minister sinks teeth into dentist

Samoa’s prime minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has advice for the acting leader of the Opposition Party, A’eau Dr Peniamina Leavai.

“He should stick to fixing teeth,” he said.

“A dentist should speak about what he does and what he understands. He should leave the money side to those who were schooled for it.”

Tuilaepa made the comment during a press conference where he used the opportunity to scoff at A’eau for making what he calls false claims.

Tuilaepa was talking about A’eau’s criticism that the prime minister being the minister of finance at the same time is the first of its kind in Commonwealth countries.

A’eau had said the rearrangement of the portfolios in cabinet where the prime minister is also the minister of finance reflects the seriousness of the financial state of Samoa.

Afualo questioned the capability of the prime minister in carrying the two top portfolios.

“He’s not the same as he was in the previous years – he’s aging,” he said. “Twenty years ago is not the same as this year, there are many developments today.”

But Tuilaepa laughed at the accusations.

“I think he has forgotten that in 1998 when I was the prime minister, I was also the responsible minister for finance,” said the Prime Minister.

Tuilaepa reiterated that his decision to take over the finance portfolio following the resignation of Faumuina Tiatia Liuga “is not new”.

“I’ve done it for a very long time and it’s very easy,” he said. “And the financial state of our country is not as low as is claimed.”

Further, Tuilaepa said he is worried about “these people” – referring to A’eau – being on parliament’s Finance Committee.

“Because they don’t understand what they’re doing,” said Tuilaepa.

During a press conference last week, another Opposition Party member, Afualo Dr Wood Salele, shared his views on the prime minister doubling as the minister of finance.

“Why is he hesitating to give the portfolio to another MP? It shows that he doesn’t trust his own ministers.”