| Politics/ Samoa: ‘SAY NO TO RHD’ BECOMES A DEMOCRACY DEBATE |
People power to force govt to reconsider
Cherelle Jackson
The right hand drive debate in Apia has become more of a debate on democracy then road code in the last few weeks.
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Samoa Parliament... which side to drive is a major issue. Photo: Dev Nadkarni
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Not that democracy has been too apparent in a nation constantly hailed internationally for its transparent, accountable and good governance status.
At a time when democracy is taking a beating in the Pacific region, the one last hope for the observance of the imposed system is crumpling in the face of neo-colonialism.
Threatened by the switch of the road code from left hand drive to right hand, the passive political nature of the Samoan community has officially come to an end.
In a public meeting called by prominent lawyer Toailoa Toleafoa Toailoa, hundreds of business owners, community leaders and former politicians turned up to voice their dismay at the proposed switch.
“We are not convinced at all with the reasons the government has given so far. I do believe the change will bring drastic consequences to this country, its economy, businesses and our private lives,” Toailoa said in his address to the public.
According to him, the tabling of the bill will be “just a matter of protocol” since Tuilaepa’s party has majority numbers in parliament.
“The only people who can stop this is you and I. If we stand together, we should be able to bring together enough force so that the government will then be forced to reconsider its decision,” Toailoa urged the rally.
The public meeting signified a monumental moment in the history of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP)—mass public opposition.
SWITCH INEVITABLE
According to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, the proposed switch to right hand drive is inevitable and it is just a matter of time before Samoa moves in that direction.
“This will alleviate the financial burden on Samoa by making cars more accessible and cheaper for the people,” he the Samoa media.
But the facts say otherwise. In a submission made by the representatives of the business community and civil societies, a comparative analysis of import costs revealed that cars in New Zealand are more expensive than cars in Samoa. According to the submission, a used Mazda pickup, 2000 model from New Zealand would cost ST$71,078.27. But the same vehicle in a 2007 model costs ST$68,000 in Samoa.
A few years ago, Samoa banned the importation of right hand drive vehicles for safety reasons.
“If we allow right hand drives in Samoa and switch the road code, it will make it easier for families in rural areas to receive vehicles from their relatives in New Zealand,” Tuilaepa said.
Tuilaepa also suggested it will make it easier for Samoans to get into the trucking business and eventually move to New Zealand to work. He also said it will make it easier for tourists who come into Samoa and want to drive.
“If our families in the rural areas are sent cars from their relatives in New Zealand, it means they can move inland and uphill, therefore minimising the impacts of sea level rise and climate change.”
Asked about the facts pointed out in the submission, Tuilaepa said the submission spearheaded by the Chamber of Commerce, the Samoa Umbrella for Non Government Organisations (SUNGO), Samoa Association of Manufacturers & Exporters the Taxi Drivers Association, Samoa Car Rentals Association and Samoa Hotel Association was self motivated. The submission, he said, was made by businesspeople and it was purely for their interests and not in the interest of local families in the rural areas.
He did fail to note that the grassrootspeople were represented through SUNGO, comprising the largest group of civil societies in Samoa.
The submission was rejected by the Prime Minister although he did accept the delegation who presented him with the facts.
Leader of the Samoa Democratic United Party (SDUP) Asiata Saleimoa Vaai has publicly accused Tuilaepa of ignoring fair democratic processes in the introduction of such bills. “Democracy has gone unobserved, the so-called Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) is doing everything but protecting the human rights of Samoans. ”Democracy is made by the people and this is a neat test of democracy,” he said.
The much publicised public outcry against the proposed change to right hand drive is democracy taking its course, according to Asiata.
“This is a good issue to wake people up, we generally gossip and murmur in discontent but never do anything about it. Now people are standing up and making their objections known,” Asiata said.
According to Asiata since the absence of an Opposition party, Samoa has become a one party state. “The Westminster system which purports democracy is not the case in our parliament, it is dominated by HRPP, so therefore anything they say goes,” Asiata said.
Although Tuilaepa has stated he is still open to the voice of the people, he has yet to accept points brought forward by members of the public.
The right hand drive debate has ultimately become a test for Samoan democracy.
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