The sudden passing of a Senior member of the HRPP came as a shock to the party, said leader, Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi during his program yesterday.
He confirmed that Tapunuu Papali’i Niko Lee Hang arrived the night before from New Zealand. He was seeking medical treatment overseas.
The Human Rights Protection Party lost one of their pillars with the passing of Tapunuu, said the suspended MP of Lepa.
The former Prime Minister also gave a background of Tapunuu’s service to this Country. As first reported by Radio Polynesia, Tapunu’u passed on yesterday morning.
He was 68.
According to Tuilaepa Tapunuu first entered Parliament in 2001 and has been in office since then.
He said that Tapunuu was the recent Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure in the last term, a significant profile due to his vast knowledge and experience.
He also served as Minister of Finance, during his second term in office.
