1 Sep 2010

First elected speaker of Samoa's ruling party dies

8:22 am on 1 September 2010

Samoa's ruling Human Rights Protection Party's first elected parliamentary speaker when it gained power in 1981, has died.

Nomumalo Leulumoega Sofara died after a long illness.

The 70 year-old had been one of the Speakers in 1982 who saw three governments elected in one year.

Nonumalo was elected four times as MP for Sagaga Le Falefa constituency from 1979 to 1996.

Former politicians who knew the late Speaker during his political career say he was one of the finest of his time, as he stood firm in upholding the independence of the position.