4
guyanatimesgy.com
wednesday, october 23, 2013
Views Happy Birthday, President Ramotar Editor: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134 Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Editorial
The anti-money laundering bill
T
he recent call by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) for support of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Bill echoes the concerns raised by all stakeholders, including this publication, regarding the impact on Guyana’s economy should these vital pieces of legislation be delayed further. Guyana’s political stakeholders cannot afford at this time to play politics with this important legislation and it is incumbent upon civil society to continue to put pressure on our leaders to rise above partisan interests and pass the legislation as soon as possible. It could be recalled that Guyana had missed the August 26 deadline that was set by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force for the enactment of the bill, as the government and the opposition were unable to reach consensus on the bill. However, an extension was granted until November and it is still not clear as to whether the country will meet that new deadline. On its part, the government had accused the opposition of dragging its feet on the legislation at the level of the Special Parliamentary Select Committee and believes that the opposition might be plotting their next move on how to blame the administration for the country’s failure to enact the bill. On the other hand, Opposition Leader David Granger says that his party would not be rushed into passing legislation just to satisfy the government’s desire. He was quoted as saying that the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) is in the process of taking evidence from stakeholders, noting that the Financial Intelligence Unit, which will be responsible for implementing the bill, once passed, has received severe criticisms since its establishment some four years ago. Whatever the case is, the political players must do all that is necessary and have the legislation passed in order to escape sanctions. Experts have warned that the consequences of such a delay will transfer to the common man. One example of these consequences will be felt by recipients of remittances because financial institutions will be subjected to intensified scrutiny and increased penalty fees for operating in a non-compliant country. Those increased fees will be incurred by the consumer. From all indications, some countries have already begun to beef up sanctions as a result of Guyana’s failure to pass the AMLCFT bill. For example, the Trinidad and Tobago Central Bank has issued a letter to the commercial banks in Trinidad and Tobago regarding doing business with Guyana and engaging in foreign currency transactions. According to the PSC, the cautionary letter has caused TT companies to increase scrutiny of Guyanese companies with which they do business. Further, many questions will be raised about the legitimacy of Guyanese companies and their transactions, which were previously routine and normal. This will result in a burdensome process for transactions such as purchasing a foreign currency draft, which now requires the completion of lengthy forms and the carrying out of a due diligence procedure for each transaction. With the slow progress on addressing the deficiencies in the anti-money laundering act, the PSC believes that correspondent banks will further increase their queries regarding customer transactions. As a result, the cost of doing business will rise as companies attempt to offset losses due to increased restrictions and delay. That being said, we believe that the administration has made exhaustive efforts to involve and accommodate the opposition via a number of attempts to meet as frequently as possible in the Select Committee of the National Assembly to discuss the bill. Government has also offered to meet with the opposition in the committee on two occasions thus far but those efforts have been futile. We join with local stakeholders and the international community in calling for both the government and the opposition parties to stop the blame game and work together in the nation’s interest to have the AMLCFT bill passed, taking into considering the November deadline. As stated by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, this is necessary as it will demonstrate to international banks and lending agencies that Guyana’s financial system is credible, stable and accountable.
Staff of the Office of the President with President Donald Ramotar on his birthday on Tuesday (GINA photo)
But for the serious issues addressed, Lalloo Ram calling for my disbarment would be hilarious! Dear Editor, Lallbachan Christopher Ram (Lalloo) published a letter on October 20, headlined, “Ms Jaya Manickchand’s post also reveals a bigoted perception of crime”. It appears that only one section of the society has the right to the freedom of speech, which, the last time I checked, is guaranteed by the Constitution for all Guyanese. Ram, in his usual ill informed manner, wrote a letter to your newspaper, amongst other things, calling for me to be disbarred because I gave my opinion on a very serious issue. It is this very Ram, who is calling for my disbarment, who has sworn affidavits, court records and police reports against him. I am surprised he was even admitted to the practice of law in Guyana, but that is a whole different matter. It is not surprising that Ram chose to write on a selected part of what I said in the threads discussing my comment, since his writings are, in my view, politically motivated and often mischievous. I am not a politician. I
am a Guyanese citizen who has a guaranteed right to the freedom of speech. I expressed my opinion on a serious issue. He has every right to differ in his opinion and publish that differing opinion, but as a public personality and lawyer, he should not deliberately mislead readers. Ram did not get the said quote off of my Facebook page. I do not have Ram as a friend. This was my comment on a thread on someone else’s Facebook page. I resigned my post as a commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). I am sure Ram knows this. I am not a member or part of any political party, Although, I may not agree with all of its decisions, I chose to and still do proudly support the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). If Ram and other like persons are in the hierarchy of other political parties, the prospects for Guyanese would be daunting, and quite frankly, they would be unable to get my support. Ram should not go assuming that he knows what
I think or what I believe. This is not about a particular class as he puts it. Even in his quote, he claimed I stated “all”, hence I could not have been referring to any one class. For me, it matters not what class, religion or race one is from. If one attacks the police or another using force, the police or that other is entitled to respond with reasonable force. “Reasonable” would depend on the kind of force with which the police is met. In this case, the police say there was a shootout. I believe them. Let me state emphatically, as I have done in that same conversation that Ram failed to tell his readers about, I am against extra judicial killings. So if it were to be found that the police used unnecessary force, I would be loud in my criticism of them. I have just as strong views of men who rape women and children and men who beat up and abuse their wives and children. I think they should be thrown into the lock ups and punished in accordance with the law. Clearly, Ram
would not like my views on these issues either. It appears to me that a certain section of the society justifies criminal behaviour and makes excuses for it because it suits their political or financial agenda. To them, I say, evil triumphs when good men do nothing. It appears that Ram has idle time to write trash on a daily basis. I suggest he consider volunteering with troubled youth and actually make a difference. Please ask him, though, not to offer legal advice, because clearly he does not know the provisions of the supreme law of the land, our Constitution. It allows for one to protect oneself or another from harm and/or trespass to person or property. I expect Ram and his friends will write and write and write on this matter. This is air to them. I, however, will not be engaging again on this issue. With regards, Jaya Manickchand Concerned citizen of Guyana/attorney
NCPE expresses gratitude to government
Dear Editor, The National Community Policing Executive (NCPE) wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the government of Guyana, which through the Home Affairs Ministry (MOHA), provided recently the requisite tools and equipment valued over $17 million that will definitely fortify the operational capabilities in the various Community Policing Groups (CPGs) and their divisions
countrywide. The NCPE also acknowledges and proclaims with dignity and pride on the perpetual development that our organisation continues to enjoy, which is directly and basically due to the steadfast astute leadership of Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee. We also pay tribute to the continued commitment of the government of Guyana in providing the requisite
equipment and tools to ensure that the responsibilities of CPGs in Guyana are fulfilled, especially in ensuring public safety and security at the community level, and likewise ensuring on our availability to efficiently support the police in the maintenance of law and order in our respective communities. We further declare that our foremost objective will be to grow from strength
to strength on the building of our organisation further, where members now will also have to fulfil on responsibilities that are to be fulfilled, and ensure that respect is maintained within the organisation and the various communities we serve. Yours respectfully, Edward A Persaud Public Relations Officer, NCPE