“It’s not what you say that matters, it’s what you do,” - P.M.

By Sapeer Mayron 03 January 2019, 12:00AM

That is Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s belief when it comes to campaigning for the next general election. He said his actions today are all the campaigning he needs.

With just two years to go until the next election, the Prime Minister does not appear concerned about the need to campaign.

“We have always been preparing,” he said.

“Everything that we do is preparation for the next election, every project that we do."

“That’s all very, very important because we have developed a belief that it is not what you say that matters, it’s what you do, actions speak louder.”

Tuilaepa said Samoa’s hosting of the Pacific Games and the large multilateral meetings in recent years — are all ways he is proving to the people — that he and his Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) are capable of continuing to lead.

Not only that, but his regular radio appearances on Thursday afternoons are about keeping the public informed of his Government’s activities. 

“I take the opportunity to explain so that the transparency is there all the time." 

“All of this is to ensure that people understand what we try to do and that all counts towards the general elections.”

While other national leaders won’t make time for media, Tuilaepa said he will continue to prioritise it.

“I have all the time to talk to the media because this is one means whereby we can enlighten people, make them understand what we do."

“That is why every time we go out and open a road, open a hospital, I make damn sure it is on the television, and that you [Samoa Observer] are there too." 

“Because dissemination of news is so important, information is very important.”

The Prime Minister said the regular radio programs are also the best place to address spreading misinformation or ‘fake news’ circulating on social media, especially by Samoans living abroad.

“A lot of these things come from overseas. But those people overseas are reproducing fake news from over here,” he said.

“So to counter that I carry out these media conferences every week and on top of that I respond to direct calls from New Zealand and from Australia." 

“That is my countermeasure against fake news. I directly face them with these interviews and I explain, in Samoan, the language which our people understand."  

He said it is not the diaspora of Samoan’s which vote to appoint a government, but rather the local people, which is why he will always address them directly in their language.

“That is my countermeasure against fake news. I directly face them with these interviews and I explain, in Samoan, the language which our people understand.”

By Sapeer Mayron 03 January 2019, 12:00AM
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