Samoa mourns death of democratic hero

APIA - The death of Samoan Member of Parliament Asiata Alaelua Dr Va'alepa Sale'imoa Va'ai has been dubbed a great loss to Samoan democracy.

Asiata's sudden death from a medical condition shocked the small island nation.

The state funeral which was held this week saw hundreds of locals attend and mourn the loss of the Member of Parliament from Satupaitea, Savaii.

"He was a person that was never afraid or intimidated. Asiata was a colossus in parliament. We were always on guard whenever he takes the floor. As one of the most educated Members of the House, we always took great note of his interventions," said Prime Minister of Samoa Tuilaepa Sailele Lupesoliai Malielegaoi during an eulogy for Asiata.

Asiata, whose vocal criticisms of the Government earned him the title of a democratic hero, has had an illustrious career, not only as a political leader but in the field of education and the legal profession.

The son of the late Prime Minister Vaai Kolone, he helped form the current ruling party in the late 1970's.

Later Asiata became part of the Opposition party, the Samoa Democratic United Party (SDUP), and went on to became its leader.

Asiata is known for his idealist attitude towards Samoa's democracy and for declaring that Samoa is a one-party state.

""He was a man of the people, one who was fearless in the pursuit of the truth. An idealist who refused to be intimidated. He was also scholar and an intellectual," said Silafau Dr Sina Vaai, his wife.

The two met at Victoria University while pursuing their Masters degrees. Asiata then went on to pursue his PhD at the Australian National University.

Asiata is remembered by many not just as a politician, but a professor, a lawyer and an intellect.

But to his children Fotu, Cecilia, Julius and Jonathan, he was just 'dad'.