Member of Parliament, Tuu’u Anasi’i Leota of the Human Rights Protection Party took to Parliament his concerns over claims on social media that members of the Parliament’s Special Inquiry Committee signed the Committee report “without full knowledge and understanding” of the report.
During Parliament today, Tuu’u initially acknowledged his appointment as a Member of the Privilege Committee, and the Special Parliamentary Committee that investigated the LTC Act 2020 and Constitutional Amendment Act 2020.
“My calling and appointment depict the respect accorded to Sa Asomua and Aiga e Lua, Tuu’u, and the entire Constituency, thanks for allowing us to be a part of decision-making on significant issues faced by Parliament at this time.
“I had no intention of bringing this up, but comments on social media minimize the hard work of the respective Parliamentary Committee put into the investigation.
“However, there were concerns that some committee members did not endorse the report and others signed it without a full understanding of what they signed, well I want to clarify that I signed the Committee reports understanding the gravity of the report”
“This was after a majority of the Committee uncovered significant predicaments such as four different sets of copies of the Acts, which are concerning.
“If a member of the Committee did not endorse the report, that is their respective choice, but my endorsement is not against a political party but I was guided by the oath of office I swore to uphold. To carry out my duties with honesty.
“And it is evident in the Bible that when one knows what is right and doesn’t do it, it is a sin before God,” said Tuu’u.
In the first week of June, Parliament approved the report prepared by the Special Inquiry Committee which recommended handing the report over to the Attorney General’s office and the Ministry of Police and Prisons for appropriate actions.
Chairman of the Committee, Deputy Speaker Mulipola Aloitafua Mulipola said at that time, the Committee has thoroughly reviewed the matter and found that there are 4 different versions of the two Acts as reviewed “they are not the same”.
Mulipola is referring to the Land and Titles Act 2020 and the Constitution Amendment Act 2020 that was approved by the previous administration.
The Chairman said the handling of the two bills was done in a “corruptive manner and that the Legislative Assembly should take full responsibility for this matter.”
