14 Facts About Samiu Vaipulu

Samiu Kuita Vaipulu was born on 24 December 1952 and is a Tongan politician and Cabinet Minister.

Samiu Vaipulu was the Deputy Prime Minister from 2010 to 2014 and is currently Minister for Trade and Economic Development.

Samiu Vaipulu has worked as a tour operator and as a manager for the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia.

Samiu Vaipulu studied at the University of the South Pacific in 1989, graduating with a Diploma in Legal Studies.

Samiu Vaipulu continues to be involved in the tourism industry on his home island of Vava'u.

Samiu Vaipulu lost his seat in the 1990 election, but regained it in 1993.

Samiu Vaipulu was re-elected for his sixth term in 2008.

In Parliament Vaipulu served as Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House.

In November 2009, Samiu Vaipulu was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Justice.

In February 2010, Samiu Vaipulu supported the whipping of petty criminals.

On September 1,2011, the Justice portfolio was reshuffled to Clive Edwards, with Samiu Vaipulu retaining the others.

Samiu Vaipulu argued the circumstances for such allowances would be rare, and that it was therefore justifiable.

The motion was carried, and Samiu Vaipulu asked whether it would be possible for the eight MPs who had voted against to be deprived of the allowances in question.

Fellow MP Sione Taione, among the eight in question, reportedly responded by "query[ing] what [Samiu Vaipulu] was on about".