11 February 2019, Apia Samoa. The man accused for the attempted attack of Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi last year in Brisbane, Australia says he is not a citizen of Samoa.
Talalelei Pauga who calls himself Ninja made the comment when approached by the media to explain why he acted in such a manner towards the Prime Minister.
Pauga was seen leaving the Court house at Mulinuu where he had attended a matter in support of notorious criminal Tagaloasa Filipaina who is being held at the Apia Police Station cells for allegedly threatening the security of the Tafaigata prison.
Tala Pauga denied that he attempted to attack Tuilaepa in during a public event in Brisbane last year saying it was his right as an Australian citizen.
“It was my protest as a citizen of Australia,” says Tala.
“I didn’t want to welcome the Prime Minister of Samoa into my country (Australia) where I pay tax for ‘I’m not a citizen of this country’’” said Pauga.
Seeming a little confused about which country he belongs to, Pauga added, “I respect him as a father but I do not respect him as a Prime Minister of my country Samoa.”
However he reiterated that he is not a citizen of Samoa when the question of whether he is paying taxes in Samoa was put to him.
“No, I’m not paying taxes here because I’m not a citizen of this country.”
However, he believes he is contributing to the economy of Samoa by sending money to his families at Manono.
He went on to say that he also brings his palagi friends to visit the country and they are contributing to the tourism industry.
“So the Prime Minister cannot say o makou lae kaka’a i o, no way, that is such a stupid thing to say.”
The Australian media Tenterfield Star News reports that Pauga failed to appear at the Benleigh Magistrates Court on the 10th of January this year in relation to charges brought against him.
“Pauga, 41 from Riverview did not appear in Benleigh Magistrates Court when his charge of committing public nuisance was briefly mentioned and the case was adjourned until 24 January 2019”.
