Opposition rejects PSC’s petition

Nov 08, 2013 News

By Abena Rockcliffe
Those on the government’s side in unison bellowed “shame, shame” as the Opposition, by virtue of its majority voting power, dismissed a petition presented to the National Assembly on behalf of the Private Sector Commission (PSC).
The petition was put before the House by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament, Manzoor Nadir. It was one to implore unanimous support for the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill.
The PSC in the petition noted that the body is fearful of the “serious sanctions” that Guyana can face and the effect on business should the legislation not be passed.

APNU’s Carl Greenidge

Yesterday the petition attracted some amount of drama on the floor of the National Assembly.
Just as Nadir was gearing to present it, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge injected on a point of order.
Greenidge described the petition as unacceptable and said that it was unbalanced in its suggestion that one party is as “fault.”
The politician dubbed the grounds of the petition “vexatious, malicious and inaccurate.”
He cited standing order 26 (8) to support his point that the petition should not be entertained during a sitting where the matter is up for debate and vote.
During the presentation, there were many hecklers. One jeer that was voiced by Ministers Anil Nandlall and Irfaan Ali was that Greenidge was attempting to muzzle the private sector and such a move could come “only from you (Greenidge)”.
Notwithstanding those and other such comments, Greenidge continued his presentation, describing the petition as inaccurate and biased, while he attempted to explain several other aspects. This is the point where House Speaker Raphael Trotman interjected, asking Greenidge to avoid the explanations and stick to his points of order.
The Former Finance Minister then summed up his concerns and dubbed the overall petition, disrespectful.
As Trotman responded, he made reference to a petition put forward by APNU’s Volda Lawrence some years back that was accepted in like manner to Greenidge’s reference to presenting it on the same day for consideration.
As it related to Greenidge’s labelling of the petition as disrespectful, Trotman told the House that he saw nothing in the petition that could be so considered. He noted too that acceptance of petitions is at the sole discretion of the Clerk of the National Assembly.
Trotman said that to his knowledge the Clerk didn’t see the petition as described by Greenidge, but asked for a minute to meet with the Clerk to confirm that. The Clerk, through Trotman, then stated his satisfaction with the petition.
Trotman then recognized government’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira to have her say.
Teixeira said that to petition the National Assembly is a right of the people and any attempt to muzzle a petition is a violation of the rights of the people who want their voices heard on issues.
She then argued for a long “preamble” as according to her, the Speaker allowed Greenidge to “ramble.”
After her “preamble”, Teixeira stated that Greenidge was clutching at straws and dubbed it a sad day where such a petition was handled in that manner. Teixeira, too, was then asked by the Speaker to stick to her point of order.
Alliance For Change (AFC) leader, Khemraj Ramjattan made reference to the very standing order cited by Greenidge to say the petition should not have been presented on the same day the Bill is up for debate. He said that that petition was being used to contribute to the “propaganda effect.”
Trotman, after listening to all sides, invited Nadir to present the petition.
After that presentation, it was put to it to a vote. Those on the government’s side registered support, but the joint parliamentary Opposition bellowed a resounding no.
APNU’s Deborah Backer then called for a division, which saw 29 members voting for and 33 against. The government yelled “shame, shame.” It didn’t matter.