The controversial Anti-Gang bill was passed in Parliament yesterday in the absence of the Opposition United National Congress.
The Government accused the Opposition of abandoning its duty to the public where debate on the bill and queries on national issues were concerned.
“It’s a total dereliction of duty, disgusting and a violation of their oath of office!” said St Joseph MP Terrence Deyalsingh, “ It’s disgraceful and ought to be condemned in the strongest manner!”
Opposition MPs didn’t attend Parliament following Thursday’s letter to House Speaker Bridgid Annisette - George calling for measures to protect the Parliament from COVID after Prime Minister Keith Rowley tested positive for the virus on Monday.
When time came for the Opposition’s questions for Government to answer yesterday , Deputy Speaker Esmond Forde, faced with empty Opposition seats, said the questions would lapse. (C BX).
Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi who piloted the Anti-Gang bill said, “In my 11 years in Parliament ‘I’ ve never witnessed the non-attendence of an Opposition...not one member of the Opposition had the courtesy to even inform why they’re not here to do the people’s business!”
The bill, targetting gangs was passed in the Senate recently. After contributions from Government MPs alone, its 20 clauses were passed with Government votes. It will now go on to become law minus Opposition input yesterday.
During debate Al-Rawi trained his verbal guns on Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar, “She’s plying a practice that TT must be deceived into chaos and ruin and people must suffer under the weight of criminal activity so the UNC can prosper,”
“The Opposition in their contempt for the people, fiddled while lives are being lost but turned up to pretend to care when people were alleged to have abducted daughters of this country who end up murdered and bodies dumped; one found with their bankcard, one a driver, an alleged rapist! And Siparia (Persad- Bissessar) has the audacity and bold-facedness to tell the Opposition not to turn up in Parliament today - shame on you Siparia!”
Al-Rawi: Kamla lobbying for benefits she’s not entitled to
“ I’ve had enough of the UNC. For me, today is a watershed event,” he said.
On the Opposition’s COVID concerns, he said he hadn’t seen the Prime Minister in weeks though he speaks to him daily.
“I witnessed him at his age and in these (Covid ) circumstances undertake a marathon of a Cabinet (Thursday). He did Caricom duties and dealt with energy giants – isn’t he permitted a day off under his circumstances? But Kamla isn’t here....”
He said she’s driven in a government car, gets the same salary as Rowley, gets more than him in benefits, with offices paid for by taxpayers.
Al-Rawi said Persad Bissessar’s been seeking to get pension, gratuity and entitlements, “She’s not even entitled to, yet she can’t turn up for debate.”
On the bill he added, “I apologise for the two-facedness, duplicity and insincerity of the Opposition and their leader who must take responsibility for this. For every child murdered, every person savaged by gang activity, I say look to Mrs Persad- Bissessar on why these persons haven’t had protection!”
He urged security officers from every sector, “...Stare down the UNC, watch them in their eye and ask them why they don’t support this law which protects you, officers.”
He said the UNC didn’t want law against numerous problems yet “walked out” on the people while collecting their salaries, constantly asking for more security in their constituencies.
Al-Rawi said there was no hiding behind fake smiles and charm and “....Pretending you’re the mother of this nation when you can’t turn up here to look after anti-gang law provision to protect children – keep your crocodile tears to yourself Siparia MP, don’t regale TT with false care and promise. If you were serious on bettering people’s lives, you’d be here to support the law.”
He said Government intended to amend the bill further, examining prison detention,” This Government will think its way out of the monkey pants the UNC’s brought here.”