Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Parliament bids farewell to Attorney-General Doodnauth Singh
…contribution to Guyana will be etched in annals of history — MPs
By Gary Eleazar
The last session for the House came to an emotional end on Thursday last, as Members bade farewell to the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Doodnauth Singh.
The minister, who has served in that capacity since 2001, had tendered his resignation recently, and Thursday’s session was the last time he would be attending in the capacity of Attorney-General, given that, according to his resignation, his tenure in that capacity officially came to an end yesterday.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, on wishing Singh all the best in his future endeavours, told the House that it was a rare opportunity to actually have the opportunity of bidding a Member of the House farewell.
Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Doodnauth Singh
“This is the case,” he explained, given that Members usually leave the House without notice after an election, or as in the case recently with James McAllister, who was recalled.
Singh was described by the Speaker as a moderate man of conservative instincts but who is always on the side of justice, reason and good sense.
Ramkarran added that, as it relates to Mr Singh’s contributions in his 50 years at the Bar as an Attorney-at-Law, he has been a man of exceedingly high erudition, which is derived from his vast experience in a wide range of cases in the legal system in many countries, representing not only individuals, but Governments also.
He posited that Singh was a man who had a commanding courtroom presence, which is aided by skillful cross examination techniques, “in a powerful voice of sustained menace, intimidating judge, jury and witness.”
Leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin, also expressed similar sentiments whilst wishing Singh all the best, whether he was “riding into the sunset or into the dawn of a new era of activities.”
Corbin added that Singh’s contribution to the Parliament, the legal system and to Guyana in general will be recognised duly by the people of Guyana.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, commenting on Singh’s departure, described him as a modest man who was very respectful.
He pointed out an interesting fact about Singh in Parliament, in that he was arguably the only MP who was not heckled in the House when he made his presentations on different occasions, given his commanding voice and edifying presentations.
“We will miss his learned opinions expressed in these hallowed chambers…We will miss his eloquence and erudite presentations.” His contributions will be etched in the annals of history, Rohee added.
Leader of the Alliance For Change, Raphael Trotman, told the House that Singh has earned the right to say, “I have fought the good fight…I have finished the course, and I have kept the faith.”
Trotman noted that Singh has served his country well, and has been involved in several high-profile and controversial cases which will be a source of debate for years to come. “And that in itself is the mark of a man who has left an indelible impression on a country.”
Singh acknowledged the remarks in his usual gracefulness, whilst adding that it was a privilege to serve in that capacity since 2001.
In his final words of advice to the gathering, Singh urged a more civilised manner in the deliberations in the House.
“Heckling is an art. It is not a means to transform the National Assembly into a fish market…People must be conscious of what this National Assembly is…It is the highest forum of the land…it is where the people’s business is to be debated…it must be debated in a civilized and decent atmosphere,” advised Singh.
Born on June 16, 1933, Singh pursued a career in the legal field, and was admitted to the practice in January 1959.
Singh was the Special Prosecutor in Grenada against Bernard Coard and others for the murder of the former Grenadian Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, among others.
Appointed Senior Counsel in 1985, he continued in private practice until June 2001, when he was appointed Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs.
His final act as Minister of Legal Affairs was to successfully amend the Constitution of Guyana to establish a Parliamentary Oversight Committee which will examine the affairs of the Disciplined Forces.
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