Islands Business - Samoa: SU'A TARGETS TRANSPARENCY, FINANCIAL RECTITUDE

"I wouldn't have gone into this if I was not convinced it wouldn't make a difference.”

Dev Nadkarni

Su'a Rimoni Ah Chong has launched his Samoa Party.

A decade after he was sacked as Samoa's Auditor General for bringing to light financial irregularities by elected representatives and their departments, Su'a Rimoni Ah Chong has decided to fight the system on its own turf.

The government of the day went to great lengths to get rid of Su'a going so far as to change the constitution. His deputy who filled in for him during his suspension was also summarily suspended.

The mild-mannered, soft-spoken New Zealand-educated accountant, who incidentally was ISLANDS BUSINESS Man of the Year in 1995, spoke with the magazine three weeks before he was to launch his new Samoa Party.

The launch of the party was well attended and some observers who had earlier told the magazine that they did not think much of the new Samoa Party were considering changing their opinion.

“The attendance was indeed beyond my expectations and the response by the people in applauding while I read out various election promises during my speech was uplifting indeed,” said Su'a, in an email message after the launch.

He will contest the next election from the Fasaleleaga No. 4 constituency in Savai'i against the present government's health minister, considered a strong candidate.

Why have you thought of the party now, after all these years?

“There is a need for transparency and financial rectitude now more than ever. The office of the chief auditor, which was independent when I was there and is independent in most countries, is now under the cabinet here in Samoa, following the change in the constitution in 1997. Its independence must be restored. The public audit office must be given back its powers. Also, the executive arm of government has no power and investigating institutions need to be strengthened. Having said that, I must add that I am a reluctant politician.”

Is this a personal crusade?

“I'd like to think I'm making sacrifices. In any case, I am happy doing what I am doing now as a practicing accountant with good business. My family has also asked me if I really wanted to get into politics. After much thought, I've concluded that things have to be set right.”

Your critics think your issues of principles don't really matter to most voters so long as they have roads, water, schools, They say you're not likely to make much of a difference. What do you say?

I don't quite agree. Though you don't see it on the surface, there is much discussions about the lack of transparency in the way elected representatives and government function. I can feel the issues. Besides, I wouldn't have gone into this if I was not convinced it wouldn't make a difference.”

Are you still a one-man party? Would you consider a coalition?

“I have not yet launched the Samoa Party officially, but I already have indications of support from a number of people and am hopeful of getting the maximum number of candidates to field. Yes. I would look at a coalition of like-minded parties.”

If elected what else will you work towards?

“I would like to change the structure under which the country is being undone and remove fear of political consequences from the minds of people who work for the government, address corruption and close the widening gap between rich and poor.”