A ruse for which the PPP must be held accountable

Dec 06, 2012 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The right to freedom of expression comes with the responsibility to be honest, just and fair. Reference is made to recent statements of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the PPP administration (herein after refer to as Trio) regarding the parliamentary no-confidence vote in Mr. Clement Rohee functioning as Minister of Home Affairs. At the end of the day it helps the society when the people feel the named institutions are in this not from a selfish standpoint but speaking out for them.
No right thinking government or civil society will be dismissive of the decision taken by the parliament, the nation’s highest decision-making forum. Neither would they be intolerant of the Members of Parliament (MPs) who want to ensure the parliamentary decision is carried out.
That the motion addresses the people’s no-confidence in the incumbent performing the duties of guaranteeing their security and the Trio sees such desire as an irritant is disconcerting.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has the important responsibility to ensure our safety in the home, on the streets and at business premises; an illegal economy does not thrive; drug trafficking is eliminated; the police act professionally; the prison system functions properly; the fire service delivers needed service; perpetrators of violence, including white and blue collar crimes, child abuse and domestic violence, face the full brunt of the law; the properties and wealth of the State are properly managed and accounted for, etc.
Thus the disturbing perspectives of the Trio give rise to feelings that the people must fight to ensure our lives are not left to their mercy. Though they may have access to protection or money to pay for what they need, the average person does not.
The average person wants what the Trio want, but not at the expense of breaking the law.
They want it within the confines of the laws, delivered by the people who are paid by their tax dollars and to whom these paid officials are ultimately accountable. It is hope the Trio can understand this basic function of government to the people, be respectful of it, and ensure that as a nation we do not depart from it. And lest it be glossed over, Mr. Rohee is paid by taxpayers to work for them.
The evidence produced by the Opposition proves the minister has done an abysmal job. The fact that the Trio have not refuted the evidence, yet want the people to accept and move on as regards the Rohee matter, while he remains as Minister of Home Affairs, is telling.
This fight is a fight for the soul and security of this nation and the people. The Trio needs to be mindful of this and abort the fondness of driving fear into people to deny them what they are guaranteed under the law, and are due as citizens.
They should also be mindful of the use of the concept “political instability,” and keeping away of investors.
Upstanding corporate business, citizens and governments around the world would see the current action as necessary to guarantee political stability based on accountable government and the rule of law.
Noteworthy, prior to this incident, the society was relatively comatose, but investors have not flocked the country in spite of this and other additional enticements such as a weak dollar, tax haven code system, ready labour pool, valuable and untapped resources. There are other reasons investors stay away, three of which are being debated now- secured environment, accountable government and the rule of law.
Let us address them once and for all. Investors desirous of the present climate are in the main those who capitalise on mob rule to cream the society and exploit the locals. The trio must now choose which side they want to be on – the people’s side or mob rule.
The PSC and GCCI’s name calling (immaturity, idiocy, etc) and accusation of MPs across the aisles without being forthright in identifying the culpable, smack of timidity, and are a refusal to call the situation for what is it.
This makes a bad situation worse.
Commonsense would inform that both (opposition and government MPs) cannot be right/wrong on the same matter that involves the desire to respect a vote versus the desire to disregard the said vote.
Also, to the professed concerns that there are many issues deserving of the MPs urgent attention, nothing prevents them from multi-tasking.
This is evident with AFC Khemraj Ramjattan on the same day presenting a motion on the unapproved funding for the Marriott Hotel.
Fixing this problem, however, requires more sittings and the Speaker and MPs must move to have this done.
And as the PPP and President Ramotar rev-up their base and posture to the society with talks that the Constitution and parliamentary procedures are not being respected, they must prove their case with the supporting evidence.
Given the PPP’s track record, the absence of reference is their gimmick and gamble that the people would believe the government is under attack by the opposition and the opposition has no regard for the Constitution and parliamentary procedures.
This is a ruse used by control freaks and for this, the PPP must be held accountable.
M. A. Bacchus

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