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Jul 31, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Today, Guyanese live in a globalized environment dominated by smart phones, computers and other hi-tech devices that did not exist five decades ago. The advancement of communication technology has made communication easier and distance much shorter. As a result, most people are exposed on a daily basis through television, smart phones and the Internet, to various foreign ideas, values and practices, especially from the United States.
Such cultural encounter exerts considerable influence on the views, perspectives and behaviour of Guyanese particularly how they relate to others locally, the government and also to the wider world.
Many understandably have higher expectations of the government and have become more critical of its performance since taking office more than a year ago. Based on what many have witnessed happening in other countries, they believe that the government is too slow to address the important issues facing the country.
No government is perfect and there may be reasons for Government actions or the lack thereof, but people believe that the government has not yet solved many important issues including prison reform following the deaths of 18 prisoners in March, reduction in traffic fatalities and improving health care and education.
But more importantly, many believe that the government is slow to act on the corruption and the abuse of state funds as revealed in forensic audits’ reports as well as the illegal activities unearthed by the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU).
In addition to corruption, the audits’ reports have also exposed the misuse and theft of state funds and misconduct by public officials in the last administration. The names of those found culpable of malfeasance have been brought to light by the media. After all, some $140 million of public funds have been spent on forensic audits.
In light of the forensic audits’ reports, the government has passed the findings to the police and now awaits the prosecutions.
The public seems to believe that there is uncertainty and a kind of softness on the part of the government to overlook the severity of alleged corrupt practices and misconduct by public officials in the previous administration. The reason being proffered is that the government seems very concerned by claims of ‘witch-hunting’ by the opposition. It does not want to be seen in that light.
Many in the public have held the view that there should be no sacred cow and that those found culpable of corrupt practices should be charged and prosecuted as is always the case of the average citizen.
The public does not appreciate the idea of the government being lenient and allowing those who violate the rule of law or use state resources for personal gains to go scots free. The rule of law should not be applied selectively, but fairly across the board. Regardless of one’s political affiliations or status in society, no one should be above the law, and everyone should be free to criticize the government without being penalized. It ishealthy for democracy.
Freedom has never been absolute. There are limitations set by law to ensure that in the exercise of freedom, consideration is given to the rights of politicians and other persons to allow reasonable protection of their reputations. Ironically, the laws are made by politicians. However, an unjust law is no law at all.
If the freedom to investigate and to expose corruption and other wrongdoings is taken away so the reputations of politicians can be protected, it will allow for the continuation of corruption to prevail.

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