By Savea Sano Malifa
APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, April 19, 2011) - This week and possibly next week and the week after that one, our judiciary is most likely to remain embroiled in sorting out those silly things called alleged corrupt practices during the recent general elections.

Come to think of it, ever since this country became politically independent in 1962 we have been grappling with costly, evil election petitions.

They are costly and yet there is widespread poverty so that crime is rampant, unemployment continues to be the major stumbling block, parents cannot put their children in school so that all they do all day is mope and stare into oblivion.

Many of them don’t even have the strength to pray.

And now apparently wary of this nagging problem Prime Minister Tuilaepa has announced something will be done about it.

He is reported as saying Cabinet will be asked to approve a Commission of Inquiry to look into election petitions among other issues.

"We need to look into these issues as many other countries hardly do petitions, he says. But for us it continues."

Bravo Tuilaepa! Finally we see a glimmer of light in the dark tunnel, so how we going to tackle such a seemingly monumental task?

Well, it’s quite simple really. Outlaw corruption and the problem are solved.

Which means the adoption, respect, and upholding of bipartisan politics where Party Allegiance is completely done away with, so that all laws made by Parliament are arrived at by consensus.

This is true democracy. It is based on dialogue, openness, transparency.

Which means the "two thirds majority" of members of Parliament required to amend the Constitution should be abolished forthwith.

That way, any contentious matter where Parliament opinion is split is to be subjected to a referendum where the voting public has the final say.

With respect to the framers of our Constitution, the "two thirds majority" we are talking about here has got to go. It cannot stay.

Although it’s conceivable the framers’ intention had been well-meaning, this clause has been so deftly manipulated by the government to maintain its hold on power, that it has become the root cause of corruption and costly election petitions frustrating progress in this country today.

Since its inception some twenty years ago the Human Rights Protection Party’s (HRPP) overriding goal was to maintain its "two thirds majority" in Parliament and remain in power. So far it has been successful.

It’s simple to know why. With public resources at its disposal the government has been the sole provider of funds for all community projects the Opposition hardly exists by the way so that when elections come around they are re-elected, and their "two thirds majority" is secure.

However the results of the recent elections have shown the HRPP’s hold on power is slipping. Of the more than 100 candidates they fielded and despite Tuilaepa’s prediction forty of them would be elected only 36 were.

And as if to smash into smithereens the belief the government’s solidarity is impregnable, three of those who did not make it filed petitions against their own colleagues claiming corruption.

Tuilaepa was devastated.

"I have mentioned these in some of my announcements (to the HRPP party) that we need to be of one heart, Tuilaepa said. That whoever wins let them have their five years. I can tell you some have done the noble thing by stepping aside and wishing the winner all the best for the parliamentary term. But other is different. They still go ahead and file petitions."

Still, the freedom to petition is a fundamental right. Only dictators deny the right to question.

However, the idea those three have refused to accept their leader’s request is insubordination and they should therefore be dealt with sternly. Be wary of traitors. They enjoy seeing others destroyed.

In any case, it’s good to know Tuilaepa is admitting openly there is corruption in general elections, and that it needs to be looked into.

And while he’s at it, perhaps he should also consider abolishing all activities of a cultural and traditional nature six months before general elections. That should stem corruption right down to the word zero.

Meantime, let’s be serious about eradicating poverty in this country. Let’s also be serious about providing not just compulsory education but free education as well.

And lastly, let’s be serious about creating employment opportunities so that people can have regular incomes. Restless young people in particular should not be ignored.

In the Middle East today frustrated young people are rebelling. Dictators are being toppled one by one in that part of the world.

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has been overthrown, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi of Libya is about to be toppled, then there is uncontrollable violence in Tunisia, Bahrain, and other neighboring countries.

Here in our small corner of the world we are fortunate we still have peace. So let us hold on to that peace with all our might. With political stability, national unity and peace, we will be alright.

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