See you in Court, P.M. Tuilaepa told

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 22 March 2018, 12:00AM

Member of Parliament, Olo Fiti Vaai, has challenged Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Maliegaoi, to take him to Court to prove if he is indeed Samoa’s most wanted blogger, known as O.L.P.

Olo issued the challenge in Parliament yesterday.

In doing so, Olo again denied that he is the man behind Ole Palemia (O.L.P.), the anonymous online blogger who has developed a reputation for attacking Prime Minister Tuilaepa’s administration.

The issue surfaced during the debate of the Tobacco Control Amendment Bill 2018.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa was speaking about mankind’s free will to choose between good and evil when he suddenly ventured into the issue of O.L.P.

He then accused “Levaopolo,” which is Olo’s other matai title, of being "O.L.P." 

“All of you, including Levaopolo, stop it right now,” Tuilaepa said. 

“I am telling all of you now, we all know who you are, who are denigrating the Government." 

“I have already directed the Attorney General’s Office and the Police Commissioner (to act).”

Olo Fiti interjected.

He appealed to the Speaker for an opportunity to counter the Prime Minister.

But Speaker of Parliament, Leaupepe Toleafoa Fa'afisi, tried to downplay the Prime Minister’s allegation. 

He told the M.P. that the Prime Minister was addressing the issue to “Levaopolo” not Olo Fiti.

But the M.P. was adamant. He said the comments were directed at him and it is not the first time the Prime Minister has made the allegation.

That’s when Olo said he is grateful that the truth about the allegation will be revealed in Court.

 “I am thankful that I will be taken to Court so we can clear the air on this matter once and for all,” he said.   

“This is not the first time I have been accused of being the anonymous blogger." 

“The allegations may sound comical, but it is not funny. It is not something my constituency and I will take lightly because these are hefty allegations."

“So I will wait for the Government to take me to Court, given the substantial allegations.”

Outside of Parliament, the M.P. expressed disappointment about the Prime Minister’s comments. 

“I resent his comments. I may be a voice against more of the Government’s proposed measures, projects and developments, but that does not necessarily mean I am O.L.P." 

“If I have anything to say, I will say it in Parliament and I don’t need to hide behind a secret identity." 

“Also anyone can message the O.L.P. on messenger. So I am waiting for the Government to take me to Court to determine the truth to the unfounded allegations."   

“If no one has told you Mr. Prime Minister, this thing called social media can be accessed by anyone from anywhere else in the World, how certain are you that O.L.P. is in Samoa,” said Olo Fiti. 

He further told the Samoa Observer the actions of the Prime Minister will have an impact on him, given many people have been attacked by O.L.P. online. 

“My life is on the line and so I challenge the Prime Minister, if they have any evidence that it’s me then take me to Court so I can clear my name. This is nothing to joke about."

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 22 March 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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