Samoa polities a Youthful game

From FELISE VA’A in Apia

In the old days, say before independence in 1962, politics in Western Samoa was largely a “game” for old matai (chiefs). There were reasons for this: pay for parlia mentarians was a meagre sum; colonial policy emphasised stability rather than change and the matai were preferred by their colonial masters on account of their inherent conservatism.

Since independence, however, times have changed. Western Samoa’s economy has developed at a rapid pace through the sheer force of events.

Above all the colleges are turning out more and more smart young people, people who are inherently dissatisfied with the status quo and who are secretly longing for im provement.

Added to this, salaries for members of parliament have been considerably improved, and some say these in creases are still insufficient. Politics in Western Samoa therefore, have become a prized career for many.

It is becoming more and more com petitive and it is attracting more and more young people and more wealthy and influential ones.

The high-titled chiefs in some constituencies are now beginning to feel the pressure of competition. They are losing their influence in parlia mentary elections—and some are even finding it wise to leave the national politics to their “younger and smarter brothers”. Some of the notable “younger brothers” who were in the previous parliament include Tofa Siaosi, Minister of Finance, youngest minister ever in Samoa; Sam Saili, one of parliament’s financial experts; Leota Leuluaialii Ituau, an outspoken MP who was highly regarded by the Tamasese government; Leota Pita, another bright MP who was also highly regarded by the Tamasese government and Aeau Taulupoo, an up-and-coming MP.

New ones taking the field include Faalogo Pito, editor of the Samoa Times for the past 2J years; Asi Eikeni, managing director of the Samoa Printing and Publishing Co; Aumua loane, for many years the financial secretary to the government, a highly influential post; Lauofo Meti, senior commissioner to the SPC; Muagututia Pinati, a WSTEC director and Lealaiauloto Kome Sua, an ex-news paperman.

These are only some of the names of the new generation of parlia mentary candidates: young, intel lectual, highly dissatisfied with the old system yet most careful to veil this antagonism, preferring to wait out the old fellows. What are their chances? Most have a very good chance of getting in—especially as there is a village trend to prefer candidates with good schooling and knowledge of national and inter national affairs. Naturally, most of these are young. In future elections, this trend is expected to continue.

But the key issue still remains— who will be the new prime minister?

This will be decided by the new members shortly after the general elections of February 24. Their decision will depend on many factors, to mention some of them: the im portance of the title, family relation ship, character, ability, political rewards.

A move to change the govern ment is expected, and it should be a very strong move. The innovators have been encouraged by the fall of the Tama Aiga Mataafa in the last elections. Why couldn’t another Tama Aiga, Tamasese, experience the same fate as Mataafa? Tupuola is expected to be the champion of the “innovators”. So far, after a shaky start in politics many years ago, he seems to be good material for a future prime minister of Western Samoa. Whether the time is ripe yet remains to be seen.

Three of Tamasese’s cabinet may have difficulty in getting in: Fuimaono Moasope. Amoa Tausilia and Tuala Paulo. All three have had two or more terms in the post-independence parliament. All are being opposed by very strong candidates.

Tom Ott and Sam Saili, the two representatives of the Individual Voters (formerly European voters) are running again. They will be op posed by Fenika Li Hang and Alfonso Philipp but only Alfonso, former Police Commissioner, is expected to be a real threat to either Ott or Saili.

When registrations for the elections had closed on January 5, the number of candidates had dwindled, as a result of withdrawals, to 153. The number of seats to be contested is 38, ex cluding the nine seats that have already been filled by unopposed candidates.