Attack on the P.M. condemned

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 16 November 2018, 12:00AM

Former Member of Parliament Aveau Niko Palamo and ex-bureaucrat Velda Collins have condemned attempts in Brisbane to attack Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

The P.M., who flew to Australia early in the week on the inaugural Samoa Airways’ Faleolo to Brisbane service, was speaking at the official launching of the service when two unidentified men walked in and threw an “uncooked pig’s head” in his direction. They also tried to throw rocks and eggs before they fled the scene.

The Queensland Police have launched an investigation into the incident. But Government officials in Apia including the Ministry of Police and Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet were tightlipped on the Prime Minister’s security detail, as Tuilaepa was on his way to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea for the 2018 APEC Leaders Summit—when he stopped over in the Australian city of Brisbane to officiate at the commissioning of Samoa Airways’ new service.

Aveau expressed disappointment saying Samoans living in Brisbane should have caught the two perpetrators and handed them over to the police. 

“We all have issues with our Government but when someone threatens our P.M. then we Samoans should defend him and make sure his Honorable is safe, especially in a foreign country. 

“Samoans in Brisbane should have caught these cowardly people and turn them into the police. He is our leader and he was there to promote Samoa. It is any Samoan's responsibility to make sure he is safe. And these actions by showoffs who haven’t been to Samoa and this is what I call a coward,” he said.

Velda, a former Assistant C.E.O. for Samoa Social Welfare Fesoasoani Trust, said the actions of the unidentified men were unacceptable.  

“Watching the news of the awful, disgusting and disrespectful manner showcased by some uncivilized youths in Brisbane who attempted to attack our Prime Minister is just repulsive,” he added.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 16 November 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>