Moonilal Writes Ethics Council

June 24th, 2015

Dr. Bishnu Ragoonath Chairman The Council for Responsible Political Behaviour c/o Archbishop’s House #27 Maraval Road PORT OF SPAIN

Dear Dr. Ragoonath,

I draw to your attention and members of the your Council the scurrilous and blatantly false publication deliberately placed on the social media that a substantial property now being constructed in the La Romain area is owned by me. What is particularly grievous is that the scandalous accusation is being systematically perpetuated including being mischievously repeated on the Facebook page of a prominent member of the PNM Opposition who has also been selected as a candidate to represent that party.

The posting is lurid, with a hysterical female voice describing the property as `palatious’, with an insinuation suggesting that a vast sum of money was being spent on the construction to my benefit. It is further distressing that the false information was adopted and featured as a mainstream segment on the nightly television news programmes. Indeed one television coverage went further to sensationalise the coverage and to suggest that even workmen on the property were not able to verify who were the builders or the owner.

I have stated unequivocally that the property is not mine. It is not being built for me and I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in the property. In fact the charge of this ownership is similar to earlier accusations, also patently false, that I was building – or someone was building for me – another substantial house in the Penal area, and further that I owned a shopping mall in Holland.

The current false charge concerning the property in La Romain is particularly grievous given that the construction is in fact owned by a known law abiding hardworking religious family. Several members of the family, particularly the elder members are currently observing the sacred and Holy month of Ramadan and are totally unaccustomed to such public exposure and ridicule. The fact that social media and even mainstream news outlets have provided such exposure is the cause of deep concern, dismay, and embarrassment to them, posing risks to their welfare and safety.

It is my firm belief that this desperate falsification, which I have no choice but to conclude is the calculated and deliberate mischief of political operatives opposed to me and the Government, should be profoundly condemned and rejected by your Council and like-minded civic groups and citizens. Such acts may be the desperate naked manifestation of forces which recognise that the Government has the ascendancy in the national effort which emphasizes that the unprecedented and unparalleled performance of Government over the last five years will surely earn from the electorate another good term for the Partnership Government .

I have no doubt that your Council will initiate an urgent review of this dastardly machination, leading to it being roundly excoriated, with a warning that such detestable tactics, particularly when innocent citizens are placed in grave vulnerability, must have no place in the campaign leading to general elections.

Yours sincerely,
Dr. Roodal Moonilal