Parliament observes moment of silence

By Mata'afa Keni Lesa 22 January 2019, 12:00AM

Parliament observed a moment of silence yesterday in honour of Fa’asaleleaga No. II Member of Parliament, Pa’u Sefo Pa’u.

Speaker of Parliament, Tole’afoa Leaupepe Fa’afisi, called for the moment of silence in the opening of Parliament’s first session for 2019 at their makeshift headquarters at the T.A.T.T.E. Building. 

Pa’u passed away at Moto’otua Hospital last Saturday. He was 65.

In Parliament yesterday, colleagues paid tribute to a hard working businessman and a lively character whose presence in Parliament will be sorely missed.

They also extended their condolences to his wife, Ana, their children and family.

Pau owns the Seana Bar, Pa’u Sefo’s Funeral Parlour and he established the country’s only crematorium at Tafaigata. 

He worked in the Ministry of Revenue for 10 years before he left the public service and became a businessman. 

He had attempted to enter Parliament at least three times until 2016 when he won the Faasaleleaga No. 2 seat with 823 votes. 

He overcame Namulau’ulu Sami Leota who polled 784 and the former Member of Parliament, Papali’i Li’o Ta’eu Masepa’u who had 752 votes. 

Being a Member of Parliament is something he had always wanted to become, he told the Samoa Observer during an interview after the election.

 “Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to be in Parliament,” he said. “The main reason is because I want to represent my people and I want to contribute in the decision making of our country.”

Asked why he chose to be a Member of the H.R.P.P Party, Pa’u said he had always been a fan and supporter of H.R.P.P.

 “It’s because they have improved the lives of our people and there have been a lot of developments done for our country.”

As for his advice to everyone, he said: “If I fall down, I will get back on my feet and start running again. That’s life and that’s how it should be. You should never give up on your dreams. Just hope that God will provide us with the strength and knowledge to do it.”

Pa’u grew up in the village of Fuifatu Safotulafai. He attended St. Theresa’s school in Fusi Safotulafai, Marist Primary and St. Joseph’s College. 

He is survived by his wife, Ana Sefo Pa’u and their seven children.

By Mata'afa Keni Lesa 22 January 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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