THE Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill (AML/CFT) and the Municipal and Local District Councils and Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill were yesterday passed in the National Assembly with the Opposition PPP refusing to participate in debates on these two pieces of legislation.The PPP has earlier indicated that the bills were “rushed in the House”, and, as such, that party’s contention was that it had not been given adequate time to make its contributions.

The government was, on Thursday, also criticised by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), which also accused it of moving in haste and not consulting stakeholders.

Yesterday, government heeded the appeal of both entities and postponed proceeding with the Anti-Terrorism and Terrorist Related Activities Bill 2015, instead informing the house that it would be consulting more widely on the legislation.

But it proceeded to pass the Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill, with Finance Minister Winston Jordan contending that the apprehension created by the PPP regarding the safeguard of citizens’ personal data is driven by misinformation.
Debate on the bills started with some drama, with the PPP walking out of the chambers just after Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan began his presentation on the Municipal and Local District Councils and Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill.

Somewhat bemused at the happenings on the other side of the House, Minister Bulkan continued his presentation, making it clear from the onset that the bill is not an imposition, as the PPP was claiming.

The Municipal and Local District Councils and Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Municipal and District Council Act, Chapter 28:01, to provide clarity regarding its application with respect to the new local government system.
It also seeks to amend the Local Authorities (Elections) Act, Chapter 28: 03, to ensure consistency in its application as obtains in the Municipal and District Councils Act.

The PPP had charged that the legislation makes it onerous for small parties and individuals to contest the March 18 Local Government Elections, but Minister Bulkan contended that this was not the case.

The requirement for individuals contesting Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to provide 15 to 20 nominees, and for groups and political parties to provide 20 to 30 nominees, has not changed; but the requirement for the Proportional Representation List was amended from 50-to-60 to 100-to-110.
Minister Bulkan said there is nothing untoward about the bill. He pointed out that the amendments therein were tabled by the PPP when they were in government.

The minister also put to rest the allegation that government had not consulted stakeholders. He noted that the amendments in the bill are practically the work of the now Opposition.

According to Minister of Infrastructure, David Patterson, the PPP is trying to frustrate the holding of Local Government Elections, but, he said, the government will not delay placing power into the hands of the people.

Though the PPP chose to boycott the debate on the bill, Mr Bulkan, in concluding the debate on the legislation, availed himself to the PPP for any clarification they may need.

The PPP also boycotted debate on the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of the Terrorism (Amendment) Bill.

Unfazed by the Opposition action, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, told the august body that the bill provides for several government provisions, and importantly, Guyana has made laudable strives in being internationally compliant in tackling money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Among other things, the bill seeks to strengthen customs and due diligence; ensure targeted action, identifying, listing and freezing of assets, and also the unfreezing of assets.
Minister of Public Security, in a terse presentation, commended the bill, which enjoyed an uninterrupted passage.

Before the debate on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill ended, the PPP re-entered the House to share its views on the Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill.

That bill, which attracted much criticism from the PPP and the PSC, permits disclosure to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) of customer information by a financial institution where a law so requires, or where the GRA makes a lawful request or demand for information.

PPP Members of Parliament Anil Nandlall, Irfaan Ali and Joseph Hamilton in essence supported the bill, but expressed reservation on the safety and privacy of data on citizens. They alluded to a few cases of malicious leaking of citizens’ private information by persons in GRA with personal agenda.

Minister Jordan maintained that the legislation does safeguard against the malicious leaking of data.

By Tajeram Mohabir