The Opposition shouldn’t pass the anti-money laundering Bill at all

May 18, 2013 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Karma is a wonderful thing. Mere days after the PPP’s President blocked two critical Opposition Bills, vital for putting this nation on the right accountability and transparency footing and ensuring those in power do not economically abuse their offices upon retirement, the PPP wanted opposition support to pass a critical anti-money laundering Bill in order to not be internationally blacklisted.
When the PPP unreasonably and without fair or just basis killed the opposition’s Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill and the Former Presidents (Facilities and Other Benefits) Bill, it showed blatant disregard and callous disdain for the sovereignty of Parliament and for the work done by its own members in Special Committees on these Bills. Now it wants the opposition’s help in passing anti-money laundering legislation that, if not passed, exposes this country to stringent checks on financial transactions. Well, it is about time this happened.
If the opposition has the guts to do the right thing, it would utterly refuse to pass this Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financing Terrorism Act (AMLCFTA) and let the PPP face the consequences imposed by the world. There is enough of the Guyanese people’s money illegally exiting this country into offshore bank accounts and towards the purchase of properties in foreign lands that desperately need scrutiny from international institutions.
If the PPP itself refuses to be compliant and remains only partially compliant on many of the recommendations of the international body monitoring financial crimes, then there is nothing to make the PPP compliant but international scrutiny obtained by not passing the AMLCFTA.
Guyana is a drug trafficking haven. It is about time the superpowers of the world start paying close attention to the illicit proceeds of crime that flow into and out of this country because the PPP continues to turn a blind eye to this scourge. When the wealth of this nation is stolen by the corrupt power brokers of this country and ends up offshore, the PPP does nothing.
It is about time those with the ability (international community) do something the PPP refuses to do – start looking at the financial transactions emanating from this country. It would expose a lot of crooks, criminals and rogues to sanction and prosecution in the developed world after decades of sheltering under the safe haven of a PPP crime-filled Guyana.
It is time for the opposition to drop its demand for passage of the two opposition bills in exchange for passing this anti-money laundering Bill and simply block this legislation outright. There is no political risk here.
The majority of this nation, including many PPP supporters, disgusted with the corruption, stealing and graft feel this regime needs an awakening, and this is the best opportunity for a wakeup call. Further, the majority of this country unavoidably sees the nasty hypocrisy and crass bullyism of the PPP in blocking the Opposition’s Bills while demanding the opposition pass theirs. The PPP left this for the last moment to try to bully the opposition into passing the bill by using the time crunch to force the opposition into passing the bill.
The opposition has to be a pack of fools to pass this bill and enable the PPP to continue its foot-dragging, non-compliance and partial compliance on the issues of financial integrity of this country. Only a foolish opposition would fall for this hollow patriotism gambit and end up being mocked by an errant PPP which continues to do nothing.
The opposition has to stand firm and let this blacklisting take place. There is no greater opportunity for fighting corruption, instilling integrity, fashioning transparency and bringing accountability to the PPP than by letting this Bill perish without passage.
Allowing this Bill to die puts the international community on the side of the opposition in fighting corruption and non-accountability within the PPP. It will bring the force, might and almighty power of the USA, Europe and other nations onto the PPP. The PPP will have to clean up its act… and fast.
The Opposition would have to be clowns to let this opportunity pass. Many power brokers with money and expensive real estate interests overseas are panicking over the potential non-passage of this AMLCFTA Bill.
Patriotism is the refuge of vagabonds. So, the PPP will suddenly become patriots and adorn themselves in the flag, just as they flatly laugh this country in the face while hiding the identities of the Marriott investors and committing other cardinal sins.
The opposition will fail Guyana and Guyanese if it allows this Bill to pass. It will be political suicide by the opposition. There is no greater opportunity to bring the PPP to account than this AMLCFTA Bill. Will the Opposition be mice or men?
M. Maxwell

 

 

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