Monday 19 January 2026, Apia Samoa. Mauga Precious Chang has been appointed as Samoa’s interim Attorney General, to lead the Office of the Attorney General until the Cabinet makes a permanent decision. The Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt made the announcement during his weekly programme with the local media on Monday afternoon.
Mauga was appointed by Cabinet last Wednesday, to take over from Su’a Hellene Wallwork, who completed her 4-year tenure with the Office of the Attorney General on the 13th of January 2026.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to thank afioga Su’a Hellene Wallwork for her dedicated service to restore the Office of the Attorney General which suffered a mass exodus of staff during Samoa’s political crisis of 2021.
Mauga holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. She comes to the Office of the Attorney General as a Senior Counsel and Patner of private law firm, Lui and Chang in Apia.
Chang has served as an Assistant Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions (NPO). She is an active member of the Samoa Victim Samoa Group that was founded by her mother, Siliniu Lina Chang.
During Samoa’s political crisis of 2021 Precious Chang was part of the legal team for the Faatuatua i Le Atua Samoa ua Tasi party.
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa was asked by TV1 Samoa during the press conference announcement, if he could assure Mauga would maintain her independence given her role in recent years as a Lead Counsel for FAST party matters in Court.
The Prime Minister responded, that in appointing an interim AG, he, as the responsible Minister, he sought to consider someone whom could be trusted to give the right advice. to Government.
“Her independence in taking on the role, is based on her own professional standars,” said the Prime Minister, “but I cannot appoint someone with whom I am not familiar.”
“I must appoint someone that I know would provide the right advice to safeguard the Government.”
“I know she will not give the wrong advice to the Government,” added the Prime Minister.
Laaulialemalietoa said he has the upmost confidence in Mauga’s ability to provide the right legal advice to the Government, and upold the rule of law.
Mauga Precious Chang will act in the capacity of interim Attorney General to await the conclusion of the Recruitment and Selection process led by the Public Service Commission.
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