Dear Editor,
Columnist Freddie Kissoon dedicated 4 columns in the State owns chronicle on the 9th,11th,13th and 14th July trying to defend the President’s farm.
I wonder if the Chronicle would publish one letter in response.
Freddie is lucky, he can write what he feels like knowing no letter critical of what he wrote would be published by the Chronicle.
I would deal with the 9th July, captioned, “The President’s farm: Rejecting Western political theory” He starts by saying I worked for 26 consecutive years as a lecturer at the University of Guyana. And he had to drive an old car for 21 years. He should have added that the PPP terminated his tenure because he was critical of the PPP. The same PPP that threw faeces on his face.
Well time changed his drive has improved considerably and he is now defending the said PPP.
He went on to say his pension of $90,000 is what the bourgeoise spend in a day on trivialities. Well credit him as he recognises the level of inequality present in Guyana.
I wonder if he realises how disappointed pensioners were when President Irfaan broke his promise of $60,000 and only gave $46,000.
Freddie’s column suggests that the West handed down a theory to the colonies that presidents prime ministers and public servants cannot be earning money outside of their attachment and service to the state. He goes on to say it is a theory he has rejected. From where i stand it is a theory he has concocted.
Freddie says this theory has led to the “impoverishment of former presidents, prime ministers and retired public servants”. Now let’s leave public servants aside can Freddie name me one President or Prime Minister who is impoverished in this country. There is glaring examples of ministers who were relatively impoverished acquiring hundreds of millions in assets both in Guyana and the USA
Bharrat, in the 2009 Act made sure that former Presidents live a life that is even more luxurious that the better off businessmen. It gives former President 7/8 of the salary of the current President. And unlimited uncapped benefits. Granger signed a law capping the benefits.
Guyana is the only country in the world that has codified unlimited benefits for former Presidents.
Irfaan not satisfied with the millions from the farm is in the process of repealing the Act that capped the benefits. This same President Irfaan broke his promise and gave pensioners only a $5,000 increase, $46,000, instead of the promised $60,000.
Freddie Kissoon says almost all the cabinet Ministers in the West have alternative source of income if not from business, from shares and stocks.
First no President or Prime Minister in the West were impoverished before achieving their status. Most if not, all were independently rich. But let’s examine the checks and balances in place and since we were British let’s look at Europe and the checks, balances and oversights that are in place.
Google states, “Europe monitors and ensures the disclosure of political leaders’ wealth through a multi-layered framework of national laws, EU-level integrity rules, and Council of Europe anti-corruption bodies. Oversight is decentralised, with enforcement varying by jurisdiction”.
These are the bodies that monitors, oversight and sanction if there are discrepancies: – GRECO: EU Integrity Watch: Transparency Register:
Beneficial Ownership Registers: Cross-Checking: Independent Oversight: Public Scrutiny:
These institutions serve the following: public registers to allow citizens and journalists to monitor for potential conflicts of interest, outside income, and side activities; tracks activities of Lobby groups; Oversight bodies tasked with reviewing declared wealth against tax returns, bank accounts, and property registries; anti-corruption agencies, parliamentary ethics committees, or supreme audit institutions.
There are registers that allow the public to see the beneficial owners of hidden wealth. This would allow us to see who owns Valls Construction, Sheriff, Sarwan Mall, Sleepin Casino, etc.
Sanctions: If there are violations then responsible bodies can issue financial penalties, mandate resignation, or refer cases for criminal prosecution.
So, it is clear there are quite adequate checks and balances. However, in Guyana the President is proud to say that he declared to the Integrity Commission.
In Guyana these declarations are highly classified top secret
Freddie asks has President Ali done anything wrong? By having an agricultural farm is he guilty of indiscretions? He states that Ali may have laid the theoretical ground for rejecting the western political theory that Presidents must not have alternative income.
Freddie nothing, no concocted theory of yours has limited our leaders and all have seen how most of our leaders, and their children, friends and relatives have gotten filthy rich after assuming office. Mansions numerous high-end vehicles are flaunted demonstrating the values of these leaders.
Would his Excellency the President, Irfaan Ali be willing to subject himself and his Ministers and former presidents and Ministers to the kind of oversights available in Europe.
Well, we can understand the political scientist and columnist for the newspaper Freddie once referred to as a rag has to work for his supper and modern car. However, he should also have known of the checks and balances and public declaration of wealth that is the reality in Europe.