There is no reasonable doubt in my mind now that there is massive corruption and irregularities in high places; that the political and administrative landscape is mired in bad governance. And it stinks to the high heavens.
Those whom I publicly lauded as being incorruptible have shamed me. I feel so guilty in being conned. But I want to confess that there was this pop-up defensive mechanism which caused me just not to want to believe what I was hearing and what was being presented to me. "It cannot be true. Not him! Oh you so blasted mischievous. You got you own axe to grind" were some of my more spontaneous reactions, along of course with the accompanying colourful expletives.
Being an Attorney-at-Law, and politician of some credibility and repute, on both planes if I may say, I find myself wonderfully placed to hear from 'substantial insiders' what the state of play is. And within recent times, the goings-on within government circles can smother you with its stench. That is, if you believe what you are told.
My pop-up defensive mechanism is not as spontaneous in its reactions as it used to be. I hope this shift has nothing to do with being expelled from my Party. "Tell me some more! Could you give me names and places? You got any documents to prove that?" are now my responses to the torrents of utterances as to the goings-on in these high places.
Everyday now it is one scandal after another with no one being successfully prosecuted so that official closure can be brought to the lamentably long list. There is obviously an impunity that is all-pervasive. Why this is so must be honestly answered, and in quick time. Otherwise there will be universal fear, complete erosion of public institutions, and the death of our democracy.
I hesitate to believe that we have made a deal with the devil. Rather, I want to believe that there are many who want to stop corruption and bad governance.
But we must start realising that the solution to bring bad governance and corruption to an end is an effort that must come from us individual citizens and us individual leaders. We must not think of it as someone else's business to solve.
I have in earlier times been a serious critic of the investigative and detective methods of our Police Force; the stultification of its professional growth; its cringing from public scrutiny; and its spinelessness when confronted with an interfering political elite.
And the more I think of it, I see that it is only through the evolution to a truly professional Police Force which will realise a substantial salvation from this murky world of corruption.
How come with all the advisors at the Office of the President on the national security issue - Luncheon, Lewis, Feroze Mohamed, and Mc Donald along with a Home Affairs Minister - intractable problems still persist?
What kind of accountability will emerge here, when there are so many cooks and no bottle washers? This is not good governance!
When there is not a proper compartmentalisation of the duties and obligations and parameters delineated for a public functionary, loopholes will be many for the clever and cunning to become corrupt. Why is there then not a proper compartmentalisation? For example, who really is in charge of determining a remigrant? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Secretary to the Treasury? Another more recent example is who is in charge of the Wildlife Unit - Roger Luncheon or the Management Authority? If indeed it is the Management Authority, why is Luncheon signing up employees' contracts? Bad governance or democratic centralism?
Apart from a truly professional Police Force, and a reformed civil service arrangement which will see a sharper compartmentalisation of duties and powers of functionaries, the making of information public as to the goings-on in government and within the administrative circles is another fundamental which must be provided for. Why can't we have a website which provides up-to-date information as to entry and clearance of goods with name of importer, goods, quantity and invoice price? Competitors will be freely informed as to everything. So if Ramjattan brings in Xerox and Hammermill stationery at a certain price his competitor will see it clearly on the screen. This can lead to scrutiny and help in stopping under-invoicing.
You know, what I see around me now I never bargained for