Prime Minister Elect Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa has announced the resignation of Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster as Minister Elect of Environment and Tourism.
In a special announcement made this evening on the FAST Party Facebook Page live, Hon Fiame said Minister-elect of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Tourism Toeolesulusulu Cedric Salesa Pose Schuster has resigned from what could have been his first Ministerial portfolio for the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party.
“I have here with me the letter by Toeolesulusulu; he wishes to resign as Minister-elect as he wants to uphold his integrity and clear his name,” she said.
“Ua ou taulimaina nei le tusi a le afioga ia Toeolesulusulu i sona finagalo i le tausia o le faamaoni o lona tagata, ua ia fia solomuli ese ma le tofiga o le Minisita auā le puipui i le mamalu o le tofi ae saili lona avanoa e tali ai ona moliaga ma le faamamāina o lona igoa.”
The Member of Parliament for Aana Alofi No 4 who was also announced by FAST as their Minister Elect for the two major portfolios of Environment and Tourism was arrested for traffic offenses Tuesday night following an Independence and Anniversary celebration at Maota o Samoa.
Honourable Fiame says that as a leader she accepts Toeolesulusulu’s resignation letter.
“I lo’u tulaga fa’ataitai, ua ou ausia ai le finagalo a le afioga ia Toeolesulusulu. E tumau pea le faipule, o se sui faipule o le vaega faaupufai.”
The leader of FAST says one of the founding principles of the party is to uphold the highest level of respect for the Rule of Law.
“We also believe in the principle that anyone charged with an offense is innocent until proven guilty,” said Fiame.
“O le vaega faavae autu a le tatou vaega faaupufai o le faaaloalogia lea o le tulafono…E tausi foi e le vaega faaupufai i le mau faaletulafono mo e molia e faatumauina pea le ta’u mamāina o le tagata se ia faamaonia lona moliaga e le faamasinoga.”
Fiame said the now former Minister-elect of Environment and Tourism, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster is a man of integrity.
“Ou te faafetaia le Afioga ia Toeolesulusulu i le tausisi i amioga tausili o pulega amiotonu”.
Fiame added Toeolesulusulu has the full support of his party whilst awaiting the court process.
“E tapuaia e lana vaega faaupufai lona alo atu i le faasologa o lana mataupu i le tulafono.”
Police have launched an internal investigation into a leaked booking photograph of Toeolesulusulu posted onto the HRPP supporters page on Wednesday.
Toeolesulusulu says his resignation ensures the integrity of the Ministerial position is protected as he works through the Court procedure.
Resignation Letter published in verbatim:
Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa
Prime Minister Government of Samoa
3rd June 2021
Resignation as Minister for MNRE and Tourism
Hon. Prime Minister,
I want to firstly extend my gratitude and appreciation for your confidence in my abilities that you selected myself a one of Ministers for your cabinet.
But, due to the pending case against myself regarding driving under the influence, I hereby wish to tender my resignation as a member of the Cabinet.
I want to extend my sincerest apologies for the circumstances that eventuated and how this has affected not only your good name, but that of our FAST family.
Whilst awaiting the court process, I do continue to pledge my full support to your leadership and to our FAST family.
Sincerely
Toeolesulusulu Cedric Pose Salesa Schuster
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