Debating th stupid hand drive

By Cherelle Jackson

APIA- The debate on the Right Hand Drive (RHD) was yesterday renamed by the Prime Minister of Samoa, Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi as the Correct Hand Drive.
During a Press Conference on the issue, Tuilaepa referred to the current left hand drive that Samoans are using as stupid hand drive.
“If you think about it, we refer to the right hand as the smart hand, and the left as the stupid one, currently Samoans are changing gears with the smart hand, the right and driving with their stupid hand, the left,” he said.
According to the Prime Minister, switching from left to right is therefore the logical choice.
“Things would finally be put right if we switch to using the right hand, or the correct one,” he said.
His explanation comes after criticisms from various respectable members of the community accusing the current Government of dictatorial leadership by imposing changes that are not necessarily endorsed by members of the public.
The debate which has been raging in the past few weeks is intriguing to say the least.
For the first time, some who previously supported the Government are standing up and voicing their objections to the possible change in legislation.
“The world is moving forward and we are looking way ahead of us,” Tuilaepa said yesterday.
But the community thinks otherwise, and as the Chamber of Commerce and NGO submission made clear last month, it would cost Samoa to change then to remain in the left hand drive.
Six leaders of local organizations who represent more then fifty associations, professional bodies, civil societies, non governmental organizations and businesses, with a collective membership of more then 10,000 people drafted a submission to Government expressing their dismay at the sudden change.
“On behalf of our members, we write to formally record that we do not support Governments proposal to change from left hand drive to right hand drive and respectfully seek your reconsideration of the Government decision,” the submission stated.
“Government’s decision is likely to have substantially negative effects through the underlying message it sends to people. At a time when Samoa has been independent for 45 years, and will be graduating from its least developed country status in three years time, the policy signals Governments continuing dependency on aid handouts from donors and promotes continuing dependency by our own people on families overseas.”
The projected write off value for vehicles if the change goes through amounts to close to $300million tala, but that is the minimum estimation according to the submission committee.
Tuilaepa however insists that this is the best decision for Samoa.
“The switch to RHD will make vehicles more accessible to the people in the rural areas, it means their relatives can buy them cars and send them back to Samoa from New Zealand,” he said.
Tuilaepa said the comparative import outlined in the submission by the Chamber and NGOs are merely for the sake of business owners.
The submission clearly indicated that the importation of vehicles from New Zealand or Australia will by far be more expensive then the current importation from America, Japan and other further destinations.
By the end of the Press Conference yesterday, Tuilaepa had linked the switch from left hand drive to climate change.
According to him, if more people in the rural areas have vehicles, it makes it easier for them to move inland therefore saving them from the rising sea levels and ultimately from the impacts of climate change.
Far fetched perhaps, but an intriguing link nonetheless.
Asked as to the difference between driving up the hill in a left hand drive or a right hand drive he said: “Well more people in the rural areas can get access to right hand drive because of their relatives in New Zealand.”
This Friday will see members of the public gather to express their views on the issue, it will make for a fascinating debate.
This will be an interesting test for the Samoan people, how vocal will they be, and how passionate are Samoans to impose the changes they wish to see?
According to Asiata Saleimoa Vaai, current Member of Parliament and Leader of Samoa Democratic United Party, Samoans need to make their voices heard.
“The apathy of our people has lead the Government to make decisions without their approval,” Asiata said.
If the right hand drive goes forward without the approval of the people, what does this mean for Samoa?
We are currently being hailed internationally as the shining star of the Pacific in terms of stability and good governance.
Indeed this issue will put the shining star to the test, what will prevail in the end will determine the fate of our good governance status.
Tuilaepa reminded the media yesterday that he has won an award for his efforts in transparency, accountability and good governance.
This will be a good test for that award.

Samoans to take to the streets

APIA - More than 10,000 Samoans are expected to take to the streets of Apia in a protest march against the proposed switch to right hand drive (RHD) by the Government of Samoa.
The march will be the climax of a massive anti RHD campaign by members of the public since Government proposed the changer in October.
International media are expected to attend the event which some say will shake the nation.
Spearheading the protests against RHD is prominent Samoan Lawyer Toailoa Toleafoa Toailoa.
The mass campaign visibly started two weeks ago, when Toailoa called a public meeting, urging every Samoan opposed to the switch to make their voices heard.
Hundreds of community leaders, business owners, former politicians and car owners attended the gathering which sounded more and more like angry mob after a few passionate arguments by local elders.
Since then hundreds of stickers branded ‘No to RHD’ have been distributed and are plastered on vehicles all over Samoa.
T-shirts with the same slogan are also being worn by members of the public on a daily basis.
Petitions are being signed by hundreds on the streets also opposing the switch.
A media campaign on television, radio and newsprint sponsored by the peoples committee against the switch is also well underway.
The protest march on Monday is expected to start at 8:30am, from the Government building in the center of Apia, to the Parliament building at Tiafau.
The notion to march was put forth at the public meeting after exhausting all other methods to be heard by the Government.
One disgruntled chief from Savaii stood up and said: “Lets stop Parliament from meeting on this issue.”
The protest will march to the Parliament building where Members of Parliament including Cabinet members will be meeting at 9:00am on the same morning.
Those opposed to RHD have been called on to wear white tops or shirts as a sign of peace on the day of the protest march.
Bus drivers, taxi drivers and private vehicle owners are also being urged by the committed against RHD to give priority to members of the public who will attend the march.
The protest march will be the first sign of social unrest in Samoa, signaling an official end to the “pin up star” image we previously held in the region.

the importance of being earnest

I have been lucky in my life, to be given so many opportunities to improve my skills as a journalist and to sharpen my gender lenses. I used to think, in my own arrogant-know-it-all-teenage-mind, that my strength was in what I knew, but really my real strength is in the type of people I know. For instance, I know some great minds who have nurtured mine and made it open and understanding, without the positivity around me I would not have harnessed my own sense of optimism.