The mother of former Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi does not believe her son’s reassignment to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is a demotion but views it as an opportunity for him to serve in a different capacity.
“I am delighted. I have no problem with it at all. I think it is an excellent opportunity to serve,” an excited Diane Seukeran told Guardian Media in a telephone interview yesterday.
She was speaking of Al-Rawi’s removal as AG by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Wednesday, which came as a shocker to the country.
Reginald Armour, SC, has replaced Al-Rawi.
Al-Rawi has taken over from Kazim Hosein, who has been reassigned to the Agriculture Ministry.
“I think he is well suited for the job and it is a wonderful, wonderful, opportunity for him to do what he really wants to do...in the interest of the people and move the country forward.”
Given the Opposition’s refusal to support critical bills, Seukeran, 76, admitted that Al-Rawi was extremely “frustrated” in the AG post.
“This is my grouse with the UNC. Let us not play politics with the laws that affect the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”
She said the phrase “justice delayed is justice denied” is “something that we all know to be true.”
Stating that she has no agenda or “cocoa in the sun,” Seukeran said she wants a country that is safe.
“Not this absolute racism and hatred that we see going on in Trinidad and Tobago today,” she said.
She said her son’s main focus as AG was the fast delivery of justice “and the change of systems of the legal laws...getting it to work in the interest of the people...not for the criminals only. Right now the laws seem to work only for the criminals.”
Seukeran said her son was also pushing to get the court system moving to ensure greater equity.
“When you get to the point where the Opposition keeps saying, no, no, no, no to everything you want to do as a lawyer that is in the interest of justice, no witness anonymity...every bill that is in the interest of the victim... getting the right to anonymity...people being able to come out as witnesses...I know who killed my son, I saw them but I can’t say it because they would come and kill my other children. All that is going on in our country.”
She said her son wanted to pass critical laws as AG but had become “frustrated.”
Outside of that, she holds the view that Al-Rawi was “a damn good AG, as everybody would tell you.”
Al-Rawi was re-elected as MP for San Fernando West in the 2020 general election and held the position of AG for six years.
Asked if Al-Rawi ever expressed his frustration to her, Seukeran said no.
“In terms of his politics, no...Faris at all has not been under any distress politically. The Government was focused on doing what was right.”
But he did confide to her that the Opposition’s reluctance to support crucial bills was frustrating.
“So Faris has expressed that. As my son, he has expressed that.”
Describing Al-Rawi as a people’s person, Seukeran said he was born and bred in San Fernando and has always been on the ground.
His new post, she said, will “allow him to really touch lives. He is a team player.”
Even though political analysts viewed Al-Rawi”s shift as a big demotion, Seukeran did not see it as a step down for her son.
“Not at all. You have to understand something, the Government can’t get further and Reggie Armour is an excellent man for the job.”
Asked what she thought Armour may do differently, Seukeran said he will continue to do what Al-Rawi has done.
“But there is no change in the perspective of Government when it comes to the policies of Government and Reggie as a seasoned lawyer will do extremely well, plus as having been head of the bar. Faris, remember, has always been seen in a political light because he is also an MP. Reggie does not have that. Reggie is freer in that sense.”
Seukeran said the position Al-Rawi now holds is important, as Government gets set to implement local government reform.
“This is the second major plank of the Government manifesto....everything they have promised the people. And for Faris to be chosen to lead that is a tremendous honour.”
She said if the PM felt that Al-Rawi was best suited for the job, she has to abide by the decision.
“Sure, Faris is delighted with it. I am delighted with it.”
As head of his Cabinet, Seukeran said Rowley also has the prerogative to reassign or move any of his ministers.
“The question is did he do this in anger with Faris, or did he do this in the interest of what he wants to achieve for the country? That is the only question that has to be asked. And in my view and having some insight into the background, he has done this in the interest of furthering the interest of the country and of his party. So it is an honour as well.”
Rowley, she said, has made tough decisions for the betterment of the country.
“Whether you like him (Rowley) or not, give him his due. And I don’t think he would take a decision like this lightly.”
Pressed on if there was any rift or rumbling within the PNM, Seukeran said while you cannot please everyone, “there is no dissension against Faris within the PNM from the top to the bottom. Who vex who didn’t get what they want...that kind of thing, that is normal.”
Seukeran served as San Fernando West MP from 2002 to 2007 and as minister of state in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
