Malietoa descendants threaten interim injunctions

By Cherelle Jackson

Descendants of the Malietoa title took matters to the Registrar of Lands and Titles Court yesterday regarding the proposed bestowment of the Malietoa title to Faamausili Papalii Moli, son of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Sources say representatives from some families of Malietoa threatened to file interim injunctions to stop the ceremony which was planned for tomorrow.
“Descendants of one of the Malietoa families came forward yesterday to place interim injunctions on the planned title bestowment ceremony,” a source from the Lands and Titles Court said yesterday.
Due to the sensitivity of this issue, the names of those who spoke to Newsline have been withheld upon their request.
According to one of the family members, the planned Thursday title bestowment ceremony of the Malietoa title on Faamausili Papalii Moli Malietoa has caused friction amongst the descendants of the Malietoa title.
“We do not all agree with the decision,” said a family member who was present at yesterdays discussions with the Registrar.
According to the same source he was saddened that the decision for the next Malietoa was made so soon after the funeral of the late Malietoa.
“They could have waited until at least a year after,” he said.
“Some suggested that the ceremony be postponed, if not than the title be bestowed on three sulis (descendants) of the Malietoa title, instead of one,” he said.
The Registrar Tusipa Masinalupe confirmed to Newsline yesterday that the “petitioners” agreed to further discuss matters before taking further legal action.
According to him, the proposed interim injunctions come under Articles 49 and 50 of the Lands and Titles Act.
Earlier this week Newsline was informed by sources in the village of Sapapalii that the descendants there had agreed for Faamausili to receive the title of Malietoa.
Later these claims were refuted by other members of the Malietoa family.
Spokesman for the Tuamasaga, Mano’o Si’a Ulu
Faamausili had long been the Aide de Camp for the late Malietoa Tanumafili II, his father.
His personal and public achievements have earned him respect amongst members of the local community.
If continued as planned the title bestowment ceremony will take place on the eve of Governments announcement of the next Head of State of Samoa.