Misplaced panegyric of the Minister of Public Security

Jul 31, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
Reference is made to Gobin Harbhajan’s (APNU/AFC RDC Councillor – Region 6) letter titled “In support of the Minister of Public Security” that was carried in your July 29 edition. Harbhajan’s opinion that “anyone at the ministerial helm in Guyana, especially in the Public Security Ministry must be as the Rock of Gibraltar and be prepared to weather the storm of criticisms unleashed by the opposition-instigated harsh public outbursts” is nothing unique about the expected competencies of a government minister. It is what anyone should expect when he/she embarks on a career as a politician. Anything outside of this expectation is myopic sensing.
It is a given, anywhere in the world, that anyone who chooses politics as a career must be prepared to “weather the storm of criticisms”, for as the local parlance goes ‘when you play in crab dance you skin must get mud”. Simply, if you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Not only must those “at the ministerial helm” expect criticisms from the opposition or “opposition-instigated harsh public outbursts”, but from the ordinary, non-partisan citizens, like me, who have elected them to serve their country in the first place. Most importantly, those who hold ministerial positions are not expected to be anything less than the proverbial “Rock of Gibraltar”, if not it is the wrong person in the job; plainly a square peg in a round hole.
With respect to Harbhajan making reference to Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, acknowledging that the “buck stops” at his office, is not chivalrous. It’s what should be expected by anyone who asserts leadership positions; more so as a Vice President of a country. It’s quite a remarkable comparison for Harbhajan to compare Minister Ramjattan with former US President Harry Truman on the concept of the “buck stops here”, but is Ramjattan an equal comparison with Truman where the security and peace-of-mind of the citizens are concerned?
Apart from the several recent unfortunate and terrifying incidents associated with the conflagration and destruction of the Camp Street prison and the escape of highly notorious convicts, several of whom are still on the loose, and the associated fear and tension experienced by most of the country, is Harbhajan oblivious of the wanton daily looting, maiming and torture by bandits that innocent citizens across the length and breadth of this country are faced with?
Undoubtedly, the acts of charisma, chivalry and rectitude that Harbhajan refers to on behalf of Minister Ramjattan are indeed fine qualities, but are they comfort to the people of this country who desire security and peace in and out of their home? I guess not, unless Harbhajan feels otherwise.
Selwyn Narinedatt

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