Blog: The Supreme Institution - Back In Business

Parliament, the Supreme institution in our parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster model, was back in business on schedule last Tuesday with the usual agenda of PNQ, PQ's, statements and bills.

It met in all serenity. With the harassment of the opposition supported by the media, public opinion was prepared for a hot parliament. The opposition had made people believe that it has the capacity to corner the government and demolish it on the floor of the House with bombs of scandals. They had promised to put the government on the run.

But nothing unusual happened. Everybody seemed to be relaxed and doing their respective assigned jobs. MSM had crossed the floor and was sitting on the opposition benches.

The Prime Minister made a statement on the issue of the fifth judge on the court of the sea at The Hague to which Mauritius has referred the case of the Marine Park at Diego Garcia. And of course was the much awaited PNQ of the Leader of the Opposition addressed to the Prime Minister on the host of so called ten scandals in different departments and ministries. They were supposed to shake and uproot the government.

But nothing happened. For the last four months, day in day out the opposition has been talking about them. The mainstream media press and radios have over-exposed these issues. In fact, the PNQ presented an excellent opportunity to the PM to set the record straight.

Le Défi Quotidien came with the following title: Une PNQ qui n'a pas tenu ses promesses (A PNQ which did not meet the expectations). It added mauvaise tactique quand Navin Ramgoolam s'en est sorti avec brio.

Even the Chief Editor of L'Express, Raj Meetarbhan whose personal leaning towards MMM and its leader, Paul Berenger is public knowledge said "Une PNQ pour rien ? Il faut le reconnaître nous ne sommes guère avancés sur les dossiers évoqués hier au Parlement. A cet égard la PNQ de la rentrée est un échec."

These comments are food for thought. No comment! Just that the PM once more proved that he allows all institutions like ICAC and police to do their job in all independence and deal with such cases. The Prime Minister also announced that all the cases mentioned in the PNQ were being investigated by ICAC and police on the initiative of the government and at his personal request.

We should not forget that hundreds of officials, members of boards, professionals are involved in the decision making process of all projects, in the preparation of tender documents and their award as per prescribed procedures. It happens that they may make error of judgment, act in a hurry and act under pressure, commit mistakes. But I refuse to believe that they are all corrupt or yes men of politicians particularly ministers. In most cases, they do an excellent job.

The Director of Audit examines all the projects initiated by government or statutory bodies. Whenever and wherever there is departure from procedures, the Audit exposes them and remedial action is taken.

In the capitalist system, I do not put my hand in the fire for rotten eggs. Fortunately there are systems and institutions to take care of such cases as per law.

Recently, on the Medpoint case, ministers and high ranking officers were arrested and released on bail on charges of gratification and conflict of interest. The ministers happened to be the leader of the MSM, Pravind Jugnauth and Maya Hanoomanjee, ex-minister of Health.

During the campaign at private meetings, they had promised to bring to light more scandals at the opening session of Parliament. Unfortunately for them, the press had qualified their performance to be "léthargique".

The opposition should beware. They cannot build their case and strategy on tit-bits of information, rumors, leakages. They may end up having bloody nose. Had we been in power and its members having occupied major portfolios including that of PM, the opposition must be aware of the arsenal of officials and experts at the service and disposal of the state to defend government and provide appropriate answers and response to PNQ's and PQ's.

But we must acknowledge that it is very healthy and the role for all MP's particularly from the opposition to ask questions to shed light on all matters of public interest. And ministers are bound to answer them.

Ministers cannot mislead the House. If they do so and are caught, they lose their jobs. During the opening session, government went ahead and filled the vacancies on the ICAC Parliamentary Committee by appointing Hon. Hookoom and Hon. Reza Issack to replace Mireille Martin and Jim Sitaram.

The Parliamentary Committee is the only body to which ICAC is accountable. Parliament also elected Neeta Deerpalsingh as Chairperson of Committees of the House.

Her dignified acceptance speech was in sharp contrast to the unbecoming behavior of some from the opposition benches. Neeta Deerpalsingh is perhaps for the first time a lady occupying such a high position. These remarks showed utter disregard and disrespect for women. Such behavior always looks disgusting on TV.

It is a good sign that the Deputy Speaker, a member of the MSM has decided to stay in office. He did an excellent job to maintain order and dignity in the House when MP's were acting in a disorderly manner.

Government dealt in a masterly way in dealing with the main business of the House, that is, having the House adopt the law practitioner's "Amendment Bill" and the Limited Partnership Bill. It established that government controls a majority of Members of Parliament and has the firm intention to complete its mandate.

Pravind Jugnauth seemed to be very at ease in his new role. He claimed paternity of the Limited Partnership Bill which was also supported by the MMM. Somebody reminded me that when Pravind Jugnauth was elected in the by-election in Moka with the support of Labour, he had said he will be "a sincere and loyal opposition".

Having broken away from their l'Alliance de l'avenir, he is just free now to oppose without being "sincere and loyal". Now all our attention is turned towards the budget speech on the 4th of November.

The budget comes at a time when protests are being organised in all main cities of the world against austerity measures, against banking practices and the greed of the capitalists. The protesters claim that they form part of the 99% of the world population.

The 1% which caused the financial and debt crisis bringing so much suffering and job losses, has been bailed out by tax-payers' money. They have maintained their pay packets and perks and bonuses.

In Mauritius, the Governor of Bank of Mauritius, the Finance Minister Xavier Duval and recently Neeta Deerpalsingh have all asked our banks to do much more to help the SME sector. With the massive profits they have posted many questions are being raised on the banking practices which have given such results. The SME sector provides 50% of jobs in the private sector. It is starved of finance and guidance.

Xavier Luc Duvall has promised to give incentives and support to this sector in the budget. The budget will provide an opportunity to all MPs to contribute constructively to improve the lot of the weak and ensure growth.

We cannot be happy and have the auto-satisfaction with 4% growth. The budget should put us on the path to a 6/7% growth. The PM had called upon all political parties to stop wasting time, turn the page and "marier piqué" to face the challenges ahead. Parliament is a platform per excellence to show our capacity to rise above and deal with national issues.

Just like the MP's did on the Limited Partnership Bill which aims at bringing massive foreign direct investment. The eyes of the people are focused on their representatives in Parliament. They are watching their performance for appraisal.