Trust Irfaan Ali and the PPP, not the deceptive, manipulative and malicious misinformation

Jul 10, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

It is perhaps true that deceptive and manipulative information has been a common feature of the post-modern so-called Third World political topography. However, in today’s world, one would expect media presentations to rise to a higher level of accuracy. This is even more important when we consider the fact that information is at our fingertips, or as some would say, a click away. Instead, we see a daily parade of political mudslinging through deceptive, manipulative and malicious misinformation. One such parade comprised the contents of the Guyana Chronicle letter (July 9), ‘Irfaan Ali and the PPP cannot be trusted’.
While it might have been true that some Guyanese were disenchanted with the PPP/C, it did not follow that they voted the party out of office in 2015. It should be noted that legal challenges to authenticity of the 2015 elections are still pending the High Court.
With regards to claims of a flawed electoral list, the government is yet to provide proof of such claims. The truth is that the President and his administration are misleading the populace by arguing that the list is bloated by 200,000 persons. The reasons for such a position by the government seem clear to the nation.
As I have posited in previous letters, there are at least three possible interrelated reasons, and the possibility of a fourth: First, the house-to-house registration would allow the government to spend a huge chunk of the five billion dollars earmarked for such/similar purposes. This would have an added benefit, in that, mostly handpicked agents to carry out the exercises will derive incomes, and potentially, many may see such cash as incentives for votes.
Second, there might be many foreigners who are seen as potential supporters and who may provide other political benefits. Third, the exercise may lead to deregistration of many potential voters. For example, many names may not be included if the agents don’t find those persons on their visits, or if the agents don’t make second visits.
The fourth possibility is that the Opposition parties may not approve the ensuing list as credible, and this would play into the hands of the President and his administration, who would gladly extend the exercise.
Further, there is nothing ridiculous about the promise of creating 50,000 jobs. It can be achieved by the PPP through transformational leadership with a clear vision for the Guyana and by creating opportunities for all Guyanese. While it may be a personal ambition of Mr Ali, more importantly, the promise represents the collective and vital objective of the PPP – policies and aspirations of those who support Guyana’s forward movements. I
t must be noted that it was APNU + AFC who told rice farmers that rice is a private sector concern when they sought the government’s help in finding external markets in the wake of the non-renewal of the PetroCaribe deal. It was the current government who closed the Wales sugar factory depriving thousands of families of a livelihood.
Finally, there should be no doubt that the economy has declined, and Guyanese have less disposable income as pointed out by Mr Ali. The NASDAQ report on Guyana as the fastest growing economy in the world is misinterpreted; it’s based on potential oil and gas windfall cash over the next few years. In fact, it was merely a projected growth rate of 16.8% for the period 2018 – 2021. The World Bank report of 2018 contradicted NASDAQ’s and showed a drop in investor’s interests. For example, in 2017 Guyana was ranked as 126th while in 2018 it moved down to 134th. Among the reasons listed were lack of transparency, corruption and citizen security.
In a nutshell, Guyanese need to ponder carefully upon those facts. Given that citizens are generally honest with themselves, there can be only one conclusion: Irfaan Ali and the PPP have spoken the truth, and can be trusted to lead Guyana out of the current quagmire and malaise. The letter writer is guilty of pedaling deceptive, manipulative and malicious misinformation that continues to pervade the media.
Yours sincerely,
Ronald Singh
(Barrister & Solicitor)

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News