THAT both political opposition parties, A Party For National Unity (APNU), and the Alliance For Change (AFC) understand the importance of Guyana finalizing legislation for the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Terrorism (Amendment) 2013 is beyond doubt. Of course they do, especially with the serious ramifications which non-compliance with Caribbean Financial Action Task Force regulations will entail for the nation.

Therefore, AFC’S leader, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan’s view that Govt afraid its “boys pockets will run dry”, if he is so convinced of such a belief, should indeed be enough of a good reason for both his party and the APNU to support the critical bill’s passage through Parliament.
One is certain of these two parties’ cognizance of the late night session of the Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament, during which the second, third, and fourth reading of a corresponding legislation had been passed, then assented to, for meeting the compliance obligations. The fact that such a marathon sitting was held, explains that this is no basic piece of legislation.
Just to understand what the likely consequences for failure to legislate, alluded to, will mean for Guyana – virtually every citizen will be affected, and this includes constituents/followers of both parties. For there is hardly a Guyanese who has not received a remittance via a money transfer service. This category will undoubtedly be the first in line to suffer from the fall out of any punitive measures exacted against Guyana.
Since transaction of business is powered by money, one should imagine the utter chaos engulfing the entire commercial community, since its financial sources are going to be held up due to intense scrutiny.
Such can only result in an unnecessary stymieing of the nation’s capital markets for investment.
It is the nation’s ability to meet its international obligations that is being jeopardized, as well as the well-being of its citizens, through such foolish intransigence.