Samoa's opposition MPs face losing their seats again

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Updated October 29, 2009 18:02:57

Samoa's opposition Tautua Samoa party MPs face losing their seats for a second time this year. The ruling Human Rights Protection Party is about to pass tougher anti party hopping legislation. An earlier version of the law was successfully challenged by the opposition grouping in the High Court. The High Court verdict that the Tautua Samoa party MPs could keep their parliamentary seats after all simply led to the government redrafting the anti party hopping law to make it more difficult to challenge. Samoa's prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele, says it's not right for the formerly independent MPs to form a new party after the election, as it could lead to political instability. He says claims by the opposition MP that he's misusing his power to get rid of them are simply wrong.

Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speakers: Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele; Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, the leader of the Tautua Samoa Party

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