AFC councilor breaks ranks with party
…moves motion supporting Anti Money Laundering Bill
Controversial Alliance For Change (AFC) Region Six Councillor, Haseef Yusuf, caused some controversy and uproar in the statutory Regional Democratic Council monthly meeting.
He broke ranks with his party and moved a motion calling on his party and APNU (the joint opposition) in parliament to support the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Financing of Terrorism Bill (AML/CFT).
Yusuf’s surprise move took members of the opposition, including his party by surprise. Immediately members of the AFC moved to distance themselves from Yusuf’s motion.
Members of the opposition then questioned the legality of allowing the motion on the floor without prior notice.
However, Regional Chairman David Armagon, in giving Yusuf the opportunity to introduce the motion stated that he was given the necessary 72 hours’ notice.
He stated that a precedent was set earlier when he allowed a motion by APNU under the same circumstances.
Yusuf in his motion stated that he, as a citizen of Guyana, sees the Bill as important for Guyana and was proposing that the Regional Administration joins the list of Guyanese calling on the Opposition to join with the Government and pass the Bill.
During the debate AFC lead councillor, Rohan Jagessar, was quick to denounce the motion. He stated that it was not properly put to the House.
He added that Yusuf was not speaking on behalf of the AFC.
Jagessar said that as leader of the AFC he was surprised at the move by Yusuf. He said that the AFC will not be supporting the motion.
While the motion was supported exclusively by those representing the government, those on the opposition side of the bench opposed it.
Another AFC councillor, Donna Mathoo, stated that the party was not in support of Yusuf’s motion. She said that the views expressed by Yusuf were those of his own and not the AFC. She said that the AFC continues to call on the Government to be more transparent and open.
Lead councillor of APNU, Kerwin Crawford, stated that his party will not support such a move. He said that the government should not blame anyone for the current predicament since the current Bill was with the government for over 13 years.
“When they had the majority, they did nothing, because if it was passed many of their friends would have been in trouble. Now they want to rush the Bill through the House.”
PPP/C councillors Zaman Hussain, Anil Beharry, Pastor Phillip Rose and others argued strongly for the motion to be supported and passed.
Hussein stated that it was democracy at work when a councillor on the opposite side of the House can break ranks and speak his mind.
His reference to terrorism citing APNU and its links Abdul Kadir drew sharp responses from the opposition benches with members shouting “What about Ed Ahmad and Bobby Ramroop?”
Yusuf in defending the motion said that it was his civic duty to do what he has to do; ‘To be loyal to my country.’
“I do not need the support of anyone to do what is right”. Yusuf took the opportunity to blast AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan who he said is not serious. He stated that the AFC leader has not been attending the special select committee meetings.
When the motion was put to the vote, the PPP side voted solidly in support while those on the opposition side either left the meeting or refused to vote.
