H@rd Truths By GHK Lall – ‘Melly Mel’ And Cybercrime

Jul 18, 2023 Features / Columnists, News, The GHK Lall Column

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Kaieteur News – I have the vaguest idea of who is Ms. Melissa Atwell. What I know now is that Ms. Atwell, better known as ‘Melly Mel’ is wanted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for cybercrimes.

The response from Ms. Melly was bold and bad, some would say beautiful, as she took centerstage: “I will not be intimidated or bullied into silence.”  As I take a gander at the associated circumstances, there are two, only two, areas on which I focus, and are addressed presently.

The first is that Ms. Melly Mel had better tie her belly and be more than ready for adversaries; they look like they each could pack a formidable punch. There is a former government minister, a private hospital, and the blandness of ‘others.’  When I hear of former government minister, the government doesn’t matter, for a minister (no matter how ‘former’) is still a well-connected presence in an exclusive club, that is more of a Masonic Lodge. Depending on how much work of a certain kind, the former minister may have had associated with his or her name, the power to inflict damage remains considerable. Regarding the second offended party, a private hospital-any one of the near half dozen of them-running afoul of them can be playing with a ferocious, well-armed foe. Relative to ‘others’ who Ms. Melly either crossed swords with from cyberspace, or crossed their paths, there now appears that there will be hell to pay for alleged excesses. Whatever the merits of matters brought by her accusers, Ms. Melly sounds ready to fight fire with fire. May the party on the side of truth and justice prevail.

The second aspect of this Melly Mel matter, and Wanted Bulletin pending, is the involvement of the GPF.  Though it may be undeserving, the GPF is commended for its vigor, speed, intensity, and strength. Cybercrime charges against Ms. Melly are in the process of being drawn up, a Wanted Bulletin to be issued, and the arms of the State ready for any swooping, any intercepting, of the supposed cybercriminal-in-waiting, Ms. Atwell, should circumstances prove conducive.  I am impressed by the energy and perspicacity of the GPF.  I laud the devotion to duty of the GPF in protecting the wellbeing and interests of citizens in Guyana.

Oh! but only if previously targeted and vilified Guyanese were to observe the same from now powerfully electrified commanders of the GPF, and the suddenly galvanized foot soldiers of the section of the GPF dedicated to overseeing cyber warfare in this country, then that would be the grandest of grand developments. Oh, if only the same GPF were to manifest some, a smattering, of that identical official sagacity, that awesome professional aptitude, when vile cybercrimes are committed by the PPP Government sponsored Live in Guyana, PPP Government intellectually authored Live in Guyana, and PPP Government condoned, coddled, and protected agents behind the mask of Live in Guyana, then it would be a vastly different and better day in Guyana.

The cybercrimes of the PPP Government backed Live in Guyana converts the PPP regime into a national criminal enterprise.  I hope that not only the acting Top Cop is reading and absorbing, but it is my wish that those two honourable sons of Guyana, His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and the Most Honourable Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo are made aware of this contribution from this citizen in the public space.  If both of these leading men in Guyana do not know about the criminal existence of Live in Guyana, then they must know now.  I make them know now.  I bring it to their attention, no excuses, no more pretenses.  I slap it right down on the middle of the public table.  It is their creature of toxic, oozing, putrid pus.

How about cybercrime charges for those in the midst, Live in Guyana, Dr. President?  What about a Wanted Bulletin, Dr. Vice President for those in the bosom, Live in Guyana for cybercrimes perpetuated by the PPP Government against those who disagree conscientiously with a corrupt government?  Why has the GPF been held on a short leash, steered in a different direction, meaning, to its kennel to slumber unconcernedly, impotently?  As an aside, the PPP’s Live in Guyana has been most determined to exhibit reverse racism in its selection of targets.  Outspoken Indians come in for special treatment.  The fact that mostly Black Guyanese are the known perps make what has been the history of Live in Guyana more than cybercrimes.  I assert that Live in Guyana has been guilty of racial crimes, and I lay those before, if not on the backs of President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo: this is their not so shadowy pitbull.

To the acting commissioner, I present the following.  When vilified citizens have made reports of cybercrimes against Live in Guyana, attending ranks/officers take them reluctantly, sometimes even hostilely.  One citizen was told not to take Live in Guyana “seriously.”  When we have a government, and constitutional arms, protecting political agents and public servants moonlighting in broad daylight as untouchable cybercriminals, then the way is paved for more dissonances, possibly more unending days of rage.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

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• BETTER, Cybercrime, GHK Lall, H@rd Truths, Ms. Atwell

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