Sua Rimoni Ah Chong

Last updated

Su'a Rimoni Ah Chong (born c. 1954) is a Samoan politician and former Controller and Chief Auditor of Samoa. [1] He was the leader of the Samoa Party. [2] As the Controller and Chief Auditor, Su'a Rimoni's efforts against government corruption in Samoa earned him international notability.

From 1992 to 1995 he refused to authorise illegal payments to Cabinet Ministers as Controller and Chief Auditor. In 1994 he tabled an Annual Report to Parliament that revealed wide-scale corruption in the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) government under Tofilau Eti Alesana. The report implicated six out of 13 ministers in improper activities and payments. The government's response was to set up a Commission of Inquiry to discredit the Report.

The Commission looked not into the irregularities, but into the Chief Auditor himself. Included among the committee's members were several individuals criticised in his report.

In July 1995 the government suspended Sua. He then sued the Attorney General and the Legislative Assembly, stating that they had acted unlawfully by referring his report to the Commission of Inquiry instead of the Public Accounts Committee, and in particular that the former had violated Article 99 of the Constitution. [1] [3] As such in 1997 the HRPP amended the Constitution to make the Controller and Chief Auditor appointed for a term of three years, and to permit his removal upon motion of the government and a simple majority vote by Parliament. [4] Prior to this amendment the position of Controller and Chief Auditor was like that of the Chief Justice, an appointment with life tenure until the age of 60 with the threshold for removal being a two-thirds vote of parliament. [1] [3]

The whole scandal brought Samoa into international scrutiny and questioned its commitment to good governance, as well as democracy and responsible government.

For his efforts, Su'a Rimoni was awarded the Transparency International's Integrity Awards in May 2003. [5] The annual integrity awards recognize the courage of individuals and organizations fighting corruption.

In September 2005 Ah Chong founded the Samoa Party on a platform of restoring the independence of watchdog institutions such as the Auditor-General. [6] During the 2006 Samoan general election, it did not secure any seats. [7] Following the election, Ah Chong was banished from his village for filing an election petition against winning candidate Mulitalo Siafausa Vui. [8] The ban was subsequently overturned by the Supreme Court of Samoa, [9] but this was ignored by the village council. [10] When his election petition was successful, [11] Ah Chong's house was burned down, [12] and the government brought criminal charges of bribery and treating against him. [13] He was subsequently convicted of bribery for giving a member of his extended family a new TV set., [14] and returned his Transparency International Award. [15]

In 2011 he ran as a candidate for the Tautua Samoa Party. [16]

Su'a Rimoni is of Chinese-Samoan heritage. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi</span> Prime Minister of Samoa from 1998 to 2021

SusugaTuilaʻepa Lupesoliai Neioti Aiono Saʻilele Malielegaoi is a Samoan politician and economist who served as the sixth prime minister of Samoa from 1998 to 2021. Tuilaʻepa is Samoa's longest serving prime minister and was leader of the opposition from 2021 to 2022. Since 1998, he has led the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). Tuilaʻepa first entered parliament in 1981 when he won a by-election to represent the electorate of Lepā. He also served as deputy prime minister and minister of finance in the government of Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana, and also held the portfolios of Tourism and Trade, Commerce & Industry.

The Samoa Party was a small party of Samoa. The party was founded in September 2005 by former auditor-general Su'a Rimoni Ah Chong on a platform of restoring the independence of watchdog institutions such as the Auditor-General. The party also aimed to provide free education, and impose a term limit on future Prime Ministers of two terms. During the 2006 Samoan general election, it did not secure any seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Samoan general election</span>

General elections were held in Samoa on 31 March 2006 to determine the composition of the 14th Parliament. The main contesting parties were that of incumbent Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi, of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP); and the Samoan Democratic United Party (SDUP). In addition, three other parties, the Christian Party (SCP), the Samoa Party (SP), and the Samoa Progressive Party (SPP), competed in the election. The result was a landslide victory for the HRPP, which won 33 of the 49 seats. The newly founded SDUP secured ten seats, and the remaining six were won by independents. After the election, three independents joined the HRPP, increasing the party's seat count to 36.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Le Mamea Ropati</span> Samoan politician

Tuiletufuga Le Mamea Ropati Mualia is a Samoan politician, and member of the Council of Deputies. He has served as a Cabinet Minister, Leader of the Opposition and represented the constituency for Lefaga & Falese'ela for over thirty years. He was a founding member of the Human Rights Protection Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laʻauli Leuatea Polataivao</span> Samoan politician

SusugaLaʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt is a Samoan politician, businessman, Cabinet Minister, and former speaker and deputy speaker of the Samoan Parliament. He is the Member of Parliament for the Gagaʻifomauga No. 3 constituency and is the founder and chairman of the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tautua Samoa Party</span> Samoan political party

The Tautua Samoa Party was a political party in Samoa. The party's policies include economic development, particularly in the agricultural sector, public service reform, a limit on the number of Associate Ministers, and a reduction in the term of Parliament from 5 to 3 or 4 years. Its president was Afualo Wood Salele.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi</span> Samoan politician

Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi is a Samoan politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa. He is the founder of the Tautua Samoa Party.

Vaʻai Papu Vailupe, also known as Mafasolia Papu Vailupe, was a Samoan politician and accountant who served as a Cabinet Minister. He was the leader of the Tautua Samoa Party from 2010 to 2011. His father is former Prime Minister Vaʻai Kolone, who co-founded the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). His younger brother Asiata Sale'imoa Va'ai was leader of the Samoan Democratic United Party.

Afemata Palusalue Faʻapo II is a Samoan politician and former Cabinet Minister. From 2011 to 2016 he was the leader of the opposition Tautua Samoa Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 Western Samoan general election</span>

General elections were held in Western Samoa on 26 April 1996 to determine the composition of the 12th Parliament. The election occurred following constitutional amendments that extended the parliamentary term from three to five years and increased parliament's seat count from 47 to 49. Five parties contested the election, including the governing Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), led by Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana and the main opposition, the Samoan National Development Party (SNDP), led by Tui Ātua Tupua Tamasese Efi. The HRPP's popularity suffered a setback due to Chief Auditor Sua Rimoni Ah Chong's 1994 report, which brought to light government corruption. While the SNDP campaigned on anti-corruption, the party's perceived failure to provide checks on the HRPP meant the governing party faced few obstacles to re-election.

Ale Vena Ale is a Samoan politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa. He is a founding member of the Human Rights Protection Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Samoan general election</span>

General elections were held in Samoa on 4 March 2011, to determine the composition of the 15th Parliament. Two parties contested the election, the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), which had been in power for most of the time since 1982, led by Prime Minister Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi and the newly founded Tautua Samoa Party (TSP) led by Vaʻai Papu Vailupe, which several minor parties had merged into. The election occurred following amendments to the electoral act in 2009, including the introduction of the Monotoga law, a requirement for aspiring candidates to dedicate traditional village service and commitments. As a result, three TSP aspiring candidates, including a challenger for the prime minister's seat, were disqualified by the Supreme Court for failing to satisfy this law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Samoan general election</span>

General elections were held in Samoa on 9 April 2021 to determine the composition of the 17th Parliament. The Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), which had been in government for most of the time since 1982, was led into the election by Tuilaʻepa Saʻilele Malielegaoi, who had served as prime minister since 1998. The passage of the controversial Land and Titles bills by the HRPP led some party members to defect, establishing the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party promising a repeal. FAST elected Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, the daughter of Samoa's first prime minister, as leader shortly before the election; she left the ruling party and resigned as deputy prime minister in 2020, also in opposition to the amendments.

Ili Setefano Taʻateo Tafili is a Samoan politician and matai. He is a member of the Tautua Samoa Party.

Papaliʻi Liʻo Oloipola Taeu Masipau is a Samoan politician and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Next Samoan general election</span>

General elections were due to be held in Samoa on 21 May 2021. They were called by O le Ao o le Malo Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II following the inconclusive results of the April 2021 election, but before the new parliament had even been convened or numerous electoral court petitions settled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Samoan constitutional crisis</span> Constitutional crisis following 2021 Samoan election

A constitutional crisis began in Samoa on 22 May 2021 when O le Ao o le Malo Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II issued a proclamation purporting to prevent the Legislative Assembly from meeting in the wake of the general election in April 2021. Court rulings had upheld the election results, giving a parliamentary majority to the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party, led by Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa. On 24 May 2021, a makeshift ceremony was held outside of Parliament to swear in Mata'afa as prime minister. On 23 July the Court of Appeal declared that the ceremony was binding and that FAST had been the government since that date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Samoan by-elections</span> By-elections held in Samoa in 2021

Six simultaneous by-elections were held in Samoa on 26 November 2021. They were called in the aftermath of the 2021 Samoan general election, which resulted in seven seats being vacant due to resignations and convictions for bribery and treating. While seven by-elections were called, the contest in Falealupo was resolved without the need for a poll, after the Supreme Court declared the HRPP candidate Tuitogamanaia Peniamina Le'avai to be ineligible, resulting in the FAST Party's Fuiono Tenina Crichton being elected unopposed.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ah Chong v Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa, [1996]WSCA2 (17 September 1996)("The plaintiff in the Supreme Court proceedings from which this appeal arises was appointed in March 1992 (the date given in his statement of claim) as Controller and Chief Auditor in the service of Western Samoa. ... The plaintiff was about 38 years of age at the time of his appointment.").
  2. ↑ "Land Reform Bill not Samoan, says Samoa Party". Radio New Zealand . 30 April 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  3. 1 2 Ah Chong v Legislative Assembly of Western Samoa, [1996]WSSC3 (23 January 1996).
  4. ↑ "Constitution Amendment Act (No 1) 1997". Samoa Sessional Legislation. Pacific Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  5. ↑ "Former Samoan auditor wins TI Integrity Award". RNZ. 16 May 2003. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  6. ↑ "Former Samoan auditor general aims to lead new party into parliament". RNZ. 20 September 2005. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  7. ↑ "Samoa ruling party returned to office in weekend election". RNZ. 3 April 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "Leader of Samoa Party banished from his village". RNZ. 19 July 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  9. ↑ "Samoa Supreme Court overturns village council ban". RNZ. 9 August 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  10. ↑ "Samoan village matai reject court instruction to lift ban on politician". RNZ. 14 August 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  11. ↑ "Samoa Supreme Court declare void two parliamentary seats". RNZ. 17 August 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  12. ↑ "Family home of Samoa Party leader destroyed by fire". RNZ. 19 August 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  13. ↑ "Bribery charges laid against Samoan election candidate". RNZ. 23 August 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  14. ↑ "Samoa Party leader Su'a guilty of bribery". RNZ. 27 September 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  15. ↑ "Leader of Samoa Party to return Transparency award". RNZ. 2 October 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  16. ↑ "Tautua Samoa party announces election candidates". RNZ. 7 January 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  17. ↑ Pacific Islands Monthly: PIM ., published by Pacific Publications., 2000, pg 25
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.