Why Return to Parliament Now?
Dear Editor,
In an intriguing twist, the PNM Opposition members are returning to Parliament on Friday 22nd May 2015. This appears to be a bid to ensure that their parliamentary positions are not revoked. This comes on the heels of a three week voluntary absence by these same members following the suspension of the Opposition Leader for misleading the House of Representatives. This is also mere weeks ahead of the proroguing of Parliament and in the midst of an election season.
But what exactly does their party hope to accomplish by this rash decision? One would think that they placed themselves in the “trap” described by the PNM party chairman, Mr. Franklyn Khan, and by bailing out as early as they are now doing, shows a distinct lack of resolve of the Opposition members. Is it that they value a pay check over the directive of their leader? If this were not the case, then they would have all continued their protest whose suspension also deprives him of his entire compensation package.
The Opposition has failed and faltered at all their duties and responsibilities they have been tasked with to date, so it would be naïve of anyone to expect more from them on the eve of the election. But the PNM hierarchy have also shown a vote of no confidence in these current members, by revoking their nomination for re-election.
Ravi Maharaj
via email
RESPONSE TO CAPIL BISSOON
Once again Capil Bissoon has demonstrated that his paid role as defender of his party of choice has clouded his ability to read and understand and to make rational comments. What the Deputy DPP has said is that the PM had no right to be in receipt of the letter of 29th January 2015 from the US Department of Justice addressed to Mr. Netram Kowlessar, Head of the Central Authority Unit in T&T. What is even more damning is the fact that the PM published this letter and used it in the House Parliament in direct contravention of the specific conditions stated in that letter and I quote
“ These materials may be used in the investigation and prosecution of those persons, and offences for which assistance has been requested and granted. Should you anticipate the need to use the materials for any other purpose (i.e., a use not stated in the request for assistance and/or not approved in the grant of assistance), please consult this office to ascertain whether authorisation or approval may be secured”.
The Deputy DPP also said the use of the information in the “public arena without the permission of one’s international partner is especially disturbing and dangerous, since such action violates what is expected by way of international cooperation and more particularly, it attracts questions marks as to our ability to honour our international legal obligations, thus potentially influencing, negatively, the outcome of future requests by Trinidad and Tobago for Mutual Legal Assistance.”
The Deputy DPP is not alone. A global consultancy, Country Risk Forecast and Travel Security Online, specialising in political and security risks has warned United Kingdom company BG Energy Holdings Group and other companies operating in this country that the suspension of Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley from Parliament highlights a lack of reliable state administration and widespread disregard for the rule of law in Trinidad and Tobago and weaknesses of democratic institutions
All i would like to know is this, if one is accused of plotting to kill someone, what is the time period one should wait for their name to be cleared? The PM may not have done it the way people would have wanted her to, but, i understand her predicament, she knows fully well there are forces that would do all to have this thing dragged on. i begin to wonder if we could ever really do away with the privy council……