Samoa clamps down on Matai racket

PARLIAMENTARY approval will shortly be sought in Western Samoa I to ensure that politicians will no longer be able to hold their seats by creating more voting holders to titles than their opponents.

Following the election in March, Prime Minister Mata’afa expressed regret at the abuse of custom that had resulted in a great many new matai being created in various electorates throughout the country. The worst example was in Vaisigano No. 1 in Savaii, where in a race between candidates 1,400 matai were registered in a district that five years previously had less than 200. Only matai have the right to vote in Samoan electorates.

New legislation has been drawn up by Cabinet, under which any one conferring a title will have to: • Advertise the fact 30 days beforehand. • Satisfy the Registrar of the Lands and Titles Court that the new matai will be given a residential site and plantation land under the title.

That should stop the matai races, Cabinet expects.