"Fireworks" expected as MPs debate State of Emergency Friday

The Trinidad & Tobago Parliament will extend the state of emergency on Friday using its strong majority. The measure only needs a simple majority of 21 to pass; the People's Partnership coalition has 29 members, with the other seats being held by the opposition People's National Movement (PNM).

The PNM has opposed the emergency measures and have even accused the government of partisan motives in moving against criminals. So its MPs will speak against the measure when the matter is debated on the floor of the House of Representatives.

The debate in the House will also focus on the Statement of the President in which he indicated why he agreed to the Government's request to declare a state of emergency.

The PNM wants to show the population that the state of emergency was not required to deal with crime.

The party's caucus met Thursday and agreed not to support the state of emergency.

Leader of Government Business, Dr Roodal Moonilal, is expecting heated debate. "The fireworks that was banned on Independence night, they may come out tomorrow morning," Moonilal told the Express.

"I personally expect that the PNM will use the opportunity to apologise to the nation for the crime wave of 2002 to 2010 that led us to this moment," he stated.

Moonilal singled out Manning, suggesting that he is not considered by his own party as a member of its parliamentary caucus. "But we are prepared of course for a statement by Mr Manning, who may use the opportunity to apologise for the crime wave, as well, since it took place under his watch," he said.

Moonilal added that there will be 31 speaker on the government side - all 29 elected members and Senators Anand Ramlogan and John Sandy.

Ramlogan will speak in his capacity as Attorney General and Sandy, who is the national security minister, would pilot the bill.

Moonilal is expecting a debate that could go into curfew hours. "We expect that the sitting will go into Saturday and possibly Sunday. And if we go on till 9 p.m. we may have to stay up till 5 a.m. and continue the debate.

"We may have to continue the debate until 5 a.m. Because of the curfew, it will not be practical to adjourn at one in the morning because we don't want members to be in harm's way," he told the Express.

(You can watch the debate live by clicking on the PARLIAMENT graphic on the right column of this page and following the links)