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The vote hangs on a prayer

Oct 24, 2013 Editorial

 

Guyana stands to face harsh sanctions come November 18.  In fact, it is already experiencing some sanctions because it has failed to pass amendments to the Anti-money laundering legislation. There were deadlines and extended deadlines to allow for the passage of this piece of legislation but the parliamentary opposition has resolutely opted to move at a pace that is comparable to molasses moving down a hill.
The government has therefore accused the opposition of delaying tactics but the opposition has said that it wanted to study the proposed legislation with a view to ensuring that there are no loopholes. At least that is the view of A Partnership for National Unity.  The Alliance For Chance is resolute that it will only vote on the amended legislation if the government decides to constitute the Public procurement Committee.
The opposition says that it does not buy the fact that the country would face sanctions that could cripple its financial dealings. Economists have gone so far as to say that Guyana is crying wolf. The man in the street is no wiser because he is exposed to so many conflicting messages.
The only time the truth would be known is when the sanctions begin to disrupt national life. For example, if someone overseas attempts to send money to a relative in Guyana and fails to do so because of the economic sanction then the man in the street would take a position. That could also shift in political loyalties. People act decisively when they are threatened.
For now the political opposition may be forcing the government into a corner. As the AFC says, its vote hinges on the government doing certain things. However, if that remittance does not come the very AFC may not be in a position to hold any bargaining chip because it may lose some of the seats it holds in the National Assembly.
A Partnership for National Unity would also be held to the cross and like the Alliance For Change, could face the wrath of its supporters.
But this does not mean that the government would be exempt from any backlash from its supporters. The opposition has said that it has been asking for time to study the legislation, that it has been asking the government to explain why it waited until the tenth hour before bringing the legislation and of course there would be the accusation that the government brought things upon the country because of the rampant corruption that exists within its ranks.
As things stand, Guyana would not have the legislation in place for the November 18 deadline.  Questions are being asked about the reluctance of the government to establish the Public Procurement Commission. If it does this then it would have its anti-money laundering legislation.  Life is about giving and taking, about concessions. However, it seems as though the government is not prepared to grant concessions for anything.
Governments have been known to trade with the opposition.  In this case the trade is not for personal gain of any politician but more for the good of those who want to tender for Government contracts. But since there is going to be no horse trading, Guyana must wait and see the outcome of it failing to satisfy the deadline to have the legislation in place.
And to show that it is determined to fight the Bill through, the government has opted to move the Bill out of the Parliamentary Select Committee and straight to the National Assembly where it is doomed to fail once the opposition parties maintain their present position.
One can sense the desperation but why adopt a measure that is doomed to fail? But then again, strange things could happen. Opposition members could miss the session at which the vote would be taken and the government may prevail. There is a saying that prayer changes things. In true Biblical sense, the anti Money laundering Bill may be hanging on a prayer if only the government prays for that opposition absence.

 

 

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