Drug-linked cheques spark heated debate in Sāmoa Parliament

A fiery exchange erupted in Sāmoa’s Parliament last week as Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt accused HRPP deputy leader Lauofo Fonotoe Pierre Meredith of signing cheques allegedly used to buy illegal drugs.

The confrontation came during debate on the District Development Act, which formalises the Fono Faavae programme administering development funding across Sāmoa’s 51 electoral districts.

“You know about the money. It was used to buy illegal drugs. Who signed the cheques? It was you,” La’auli said.

Lauofo immediately rejected the allegation. “The prime minister is mistaken. Fono Faavae members can testify I did not sign any cheques.”

Lauofo challenged the Prime Minister to present proof in Parliament, adding that copies of the cheques showed his signature was not on them.

The representative responsible, he said, was dismissed by the Fono Faavae committee.

Sāmoa Observer published copies of the cheques, and report that neither document bears Lauofo's signature. Photos/Sāmoa Observer/Composite image by Renate Rivers

Copies of the cheques published by the Sāmoa Observer also show other officials, not Lauofo, signed them.

The Prime Minister said the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD), which oversees the Fono Faavae, was aware of the matter. He directed the ministry to provide parliament with proof of the signed cheques.

Laaulialemalietoa said concerns like this had prompted the government to tighten rules on district fund management.

A back-to-school grant of $91 (ST$150) was given to communities through district development offices. Photo/Fono Faavae Gagaifomauga III/Facebook

The Prime Minister also raised a separate issue involving ST$97,000 (NZ$62,600) withdrawn from district funds for a land lease.

Former prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, whose district of Lepa was affected, stepped in to clarify.

Speaking on an HRPP livestream over the weekend, Tuilaepa said the amount covered a four-year lease for the Lepa Fono Faavae office. He said it complied with government requirements. “I wanted to clarify so people didn’t think both comments, about drugs and the $97,000 lease, were directed at Lauofo,” Tuilaepa said.

Leader of the HRPP, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Photo/Parliament of Sāmoa.

The confrontation happened as MPs debated the District Development Programme (DDP), known as the Fono Faavae, which administers development funding to the districts.

Lauofo questioned aspects of the legislation, including how district council governance and officer appointments would change.

He said more consultation with villages and councils was needed before introducing the bill. Village leaders and councils, he said, could have a say in managing development funds.

Under the new law, councils must submit development plans and annual work programmes for approval before funding is released.

They must also provide regular financial reports to the District Development Authority. The legislation also restricts how grants can be spent and introduces enforcement measures to prevent misuse.

The tense exchange reflects growing scrutiny over how district funds are managed, a key pillar of the government’s development agenda.

Watch (Sāmoan) the heated exchange between Laaulialemalietoa and Lauofo in parliament:

PMN News has asked the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly to clarify the rules for handling allegations during parliamentary debates, including how members can present evidence and whether the Speaker can require statements to be withdrawn.

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