Official statement from Dr Surujrattan Rambachan:
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| File: Dr Surujrattan Rambachan |
The publication on the front page of the Sunday Express of the “news” that the Hon PM has bought a new vehicle demonstrates the extent to which every action of members of the PP Government is coming under scrutiny.
It would have been okay to show a picture of the vehicle bought by the Hon PM, but it is manifestly clear that the objective of the publication is to create in the minds of the readers some semblance of wrongdoing, when in fact there is none.
This type of journalism must be questioned. Further it comes at a time when the PM, despite all attempts to “knock” her, continues to enjoy a highly favourable popularity rating from the people.
Let us be clear on a couple of things related to this purchase. The Prime Minister, like any other Minister of Government, is entitled to certain benefits which are a part of the Office of Prime Minister and of Ministerial status. By purchasing a vehicle in accordance with those benefits, she has violated no laws nor breached any ethical standards
Secondly, she has utilized, as is her option, the facility to borrow $350,000 from the Government, which again is allowed to all Ministers.
I find it preposterous that she was asked by the reporter, “why now?” The Prime Minister can at any time during her five years use the facility extended to her to purchase a vehicle and to borrow from Government to pay for it.
Let us be clear on a couple of things related to this purchase. The Prime Minister, like any other Minister of Government, is entitled to certain benefits which are a part of the Office of Prime Minister and of Ministerial status. By purchasing a vehicle in accordance with those benefits, she has violated no laws nor breached any ethical standards
Secondly, she has utilized, as is her option, the facility to borrow $350,000 from the Government, which again is allowed to all Ministers.
I find it preposterous that she was asked by the reporter, “why now?” The Prime Minister can at any time during her five years use the facility extended to her to purchase a vehicle and to borrow from Government to pay for it.
One wonders what is there to make news in this matter. It is said that in the life of a politician there is no privacy. However, one always hopes that in the quest to “invade” the privacy of a politician that the news being carried is not slanted to create a controversy to make the public question the integrity of the politician when there is in fact nothing to question. This is what makes this article and reporting so distasteful.
This article comes in the wake of what must now necessarily be construed as a continuing series of attempts to embarrass the Prime Minister. One vividly recalls the attack by Manning on the house of the PM and on her sister accompanying her on Official business.
It also comes in the wake of a series of questions about the PM’s travels although no comment has been made of the fact that the PM has been able to re-brand Trinidad and Tobago and to attract a constant flow of persons investigating business opportunities in TT as well as Conference Business.
The last two years have seen a number of high level diplomatic meetings and visits taking place in TT and has also witnessed the opening up of the Latin and Central American markets to TT manufacturers. The foundation for expanded markets has been set by the Hon Prime Minister.
In the context of her travels, let us not forget that the PM was dutifully obliged to travel on a number of assignments including the UNGA in 2010 and 2011, as well as meet travel obligations occasioned by her position as Chair in Office of the Commonwealth in 2010/2011.
In the context of her travels, let us not forget that the PM was dutifully obliged to travel on a number of assignments including the UNGA in 2010 and 2011, as well as meet travel obligations occasioned by her position as Chair in Office of the Commonwealth in 2010/2011.
These visits were used to profile TT and to rebuild the image of TT in the eyes of the International Community. The success of the PM was witnessed by the assumption by TT of the very high body in the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group as well as by the fact that this year TT has assumed the Vice Presidency of the UNGA 67.
All of this has served to bring a new level of respect to TT at a time when the need to be a global player though coming from a small state is extremely important.
Let me be the first to shout that TT enjoys an extremely favourable image in the international community and at both the UN and the Commonwealth Office. Let us also recall with appreciation that it was the PM who took the issue of greater participation of women and girls in political decision making to the margins of the UN in 2011, causing a declaration to be signed amongst Women Leaders of the world. All of this in a short space of two years.
Unfortunately, we see no review of these international achievements and milestones, but instead a cheap attempt to politicize and skew the event of the purchase of a new vehicle by the PM with her own money. Lest it also be forgotten the PM, even as a member of the opposition always drove a good vehicle, the last being a Prado.
I find the thrust of this article highly unfortunate!
Surujrattan Rambachan, MP | Deputy Political leader, United National Congress (UNC)/Minister of Local Government
Unfortunately, we see no review of these international achievements and milestones, but instead a cheap attempt to politicize and skew the event of the purchase of a new vehicle by the PM with her own money. Lest it also be forgotten the PM, even as a member of the opposition always drove a good vehicle, the last being a Prado.
I find the thrust of this article highly unfortunate!
Surujrattan Rambachan, MP | Deputy Political leader, United National Congress (UNC)/Minister of Local Government
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