WITH six days left before Guyana comes up for review, the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is calling on all social forces to bring to bear pressure on the political Opposition, against what it calls ‘naked vulgarity’ and ‘irresponsibility’ with its stand on the amendments to the Money Laundering Legislation.

Ministers Irfaan Ali and Bishop Juan Edghill, along with party Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha, yesterday addressed members of the media at the party’s weekly press engagement at Freedom House on Robb Street, where the implications of not approving the legislation before the deadline were outlined.
Not having the amendments in place would not only affect adversely the financial architecture of Guyana, but would also have wider implications for regional groupings such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), according to Minister with responsibility for commerce in Guyana, Irfaan Ali.
He accused the Opposition, particularly the Alliance for Change (AFC), of utilizing a “sinister plot” to destabilise the development of Guyana in an attempt to create the perception that government has failed in its obligations.
“It’s time to disregard political pettiness…all of us stand to lose,” said Minister Ali, who called the stand by the Opposition a “political blockade.”
He said, “The Opposition has decided that it will block advancement because it wants to see government fail and fall, and wants to make governance impossible.”
Ali accused the combined Opposition of utilizing “psychological warfare” in an attempt to develop a sense of frustration among people, to enable it to score ‘cheap political points.”

Junior Finance Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, told media operatives that he would have believed that members of the National Assembly would have been more sensitive and responsive to national interest at this particular time.
He reminded that the amendments emanated from a process, adding that there was a long history, known to the Opposition, even before the amendments to the legislation would have been tabled in the National Assembly.
According to Edghill, the purpose of the legislation is to correct a lacuna that exists to ensure that ‘dirty money’ cannot be hidden in various financial institutions.
Guyana, he said, benefited from expert input at both regional and international levels.
He pointed to the fact that the amendments are supported by countries that Guyana undertakes business with, such as the United States, Canada, Britain and the European Union.
The Opposition, he said, “knew of the importance of this, even before the Bill was tabled, and knew Guyana was coming up for review from May 27.”
“Can you imagine the consequence that flows from such action,” said Edghill, in reference to not meeting the internationally imposed deadline.
Insensitivity, unreasonableness and an irrational approach were the words used to describe the position adopted by the Opposition.
Expressing optimism over the possibility of a positive outcome, Bishop Edghill reminded that while government holds the chairperson position on the special select committee tasked with addressing the piece of legislation, the Opposition constitutes the bulk of its members.
As such, he said that as long as there is political will on the part of the Opposition, the deadline can be met.
He said that not even the supporters of the combined Opposition are in agreement with their hard line stand and display of “naked vulgarity.”
“I would want to use opportunity to call on all social forces, not just the private sector, to bring pressure to bear on the Opposition to act responsibly,” said Edghill.
Minister Ali also used the opportunity to point out that failing to meet the deadline would mean that Guyana would have to take approximately seven years to re-attain its status.
The party’s Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha, said that it is “vengeance” being perpetrated on the part of the opposition, specifically the AFC.
He qualified his position by reminding of the AFC’s pronouncement on the fact that Head of State, Donald Ramotar, had refused to assent to the two opposition Bills passed.