THE combined Opposition yesterday voted down the motion for the reading of the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) petition on the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill after a contentious debate in the National Assembly.

The petition highlights the serious economic implications if the AML/CFT Bill is not passed within the November 18 deadline and urges the Opposition to support the Bill in the national interest.
However, when People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Manzoor Nadir attempted to introduce the petition in the House, A people’s Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member, Carl Greenidge rose on a Point of Order objecting strongly, describing it as “malicious, vexatious, ignorant and inaccurate.”

Greenidge also contended, citing the relevant Standing Orders,that a petition which deals with a substantive issue listed on the agenda for deliberation in the House cannot be dealt with on the same day. This argument was also supported by leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan and APNU’s Deborah Backer with the latter also arguing that the House has the right to receive or not to receive a petition.
At this point, Speaker of the House Raphael Trotman interjected, pointing out that in 2006 a petition on the Gambling Bill from the Christian community was dealt with in the House on the same day that the Bill was listed on the agenda to be deliberated upon.
He added that it is the Clerk of the National Assembly who determines whether a petition

qualifies to reach the House and that the issue of receiving the PSC’s petition did not arise as yet because Nadir has not been given the opportunity to present it as yet and requested from the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs if he is satisfied that the petition meets the requirement of admissibility of the House to which he replied in the affirmative.

The Speaker then ruled that Nadir has the right to move a motion to introduce the petition and stressed, too, that petitions are the only means of members of the public and organisations to have their views heard in the House.
PPP/C’s Chief Whip Ms. Gail Teixeira, who also rose on a Point of Order, delivered a terse response to the Opposition’s contentions, emphasizing that the right of people to have their views voiced in the National Assembly is “sacrosanct” and “enshrined.”
She also described the Opposition’s behaviour in the honourable House as a “sad day.”
Nadir, in moving the motion to have the petition read on behalf of the PSC, pointed out that petitions are a unique instrument by which people could have their views heard in the National Assembly.

He noted that the private sector umbrella organisation comprises 17 entities scattered across every administrative region in the country representing the interests of the business community.
However, when the vote by division was taken on the motion, the Opposition with its combined majority prevailed with 33 votes against and 29 for. Three members from the government benches were absent from yesterday’s sitting.
The PSC in its petition stated that upon the return of the AML/CFT Bill to the National Assembly the honourable members would consider and pass it.
The petition also stated that mindful of the severe economic consequences of failure to enact the Bill, “respectfully requests that the National Assembly be pleased to pass the aforesaid Bill as a matter of national and economic priority.
The PSC petition notes that no written submissions have been forthcoming from the Opposition as they relate to adjustments to the bill as they (opposition) consider amendable.
Additionally, it noted that whilst the Bill has been reviewed by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), and has been deemed acceptable, it has been with the Special Select Committee of Parliament for approximately six months.
The PSC also reiterated that failure to enact the legislation will result in the blacklisting of Guyana by other countries which will result in severe hardship for the business community and ordinary citizens and also pointed to the repercussions Guyana will face as a result of being blacklisted.
The PSC petitioners are: Aircraft Owners of Guyana; Forest Products Association of Guyana; Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Guyana Association of Bankers; Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association; Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations; Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association; Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors; Institute of Private Enterprise Development; Linden Chamber of Commerce, Industry  and Development; National Aquaculture Association of Guyana; Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Shipping Association of Guyana; Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry Ltd; Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana; Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce.

(By Chamanlall Naipaul)