Letter to the Editor, Sunday 30th August 2026 Apia Samoa. Letter to the Editor by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

Demeaning the value of the Ifoga

This week, we all read about the traditional apology by the village of Saleapaga, seeking the Prime Minister, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt’s forgiveness for one of their young chiefs who had threatened La’auli’s life.

Any such threat is a serious crime that must be investigated and dealt with under the full extent of the law.

The traditional Samoan appeal for forgiveness known as an Ifoga, is a sacred ritual that is steeped in respect, privacy and protocol.

However, what led the villagers of Saleapaga to present this Ifoga makes a mockery of how such sensitive cultural matters are handled.

It also exposes how La’auli continues to weaponise our culture to deceive and divide our people.

The Ifoga is meant to heal and unite not to threaten, embarrass or subjugate our people.

What many do not know is that the matai who threatened La’auli is a member of his own family from Saleapaga, where he holds the titles of Tupua and Puletiu.

As the head matai, La’auli should have met with his family and sorted out why his own cousin had made these threats.

In fact, in keeping with respectful customs, his family went to see Laauli to apologise.

However, La’auli insisted that the apology be done formally in the presence of his FAST Party, and the public.

This public humiliation and embarrassing of his own kin was not necessary.

Out of nowhere and without any evidence, Laauli suggested that I, as the Member of Parliament from Lepa, may have influenced his rebellious relative.

Based on this hallucination, La’auli is now expecting the District of Lepa to seek his pardon.

This is what he believes is a peaceful solution.

Laauli is so drunk with power that he now expects everyone to kneel before him.

He needs to be reminded that this is Samoa, where the matai protect and serve their people.

For the behavior toward his family and the embarrassment that they have brought to Lepa, Laauli ought to perform a traditional Ifoga in front of the Tama Punefu (Fatialofa and Auelua) and the District Council of Matais.

That is how the District of Lepa respects and upholds its customs and traditional values.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP

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