Dear Editor
A LETTER published in the Guyana Times claims that the charges against Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington are evidence of a witch-hunt. The author seems to think presenting evidence about supposed PNC sales of government property at undervalued prices in the early 1990’s is evidence to support this highly dubious claim. Obviously, the author is not acquainted with reality, as these sales were in no way similar.
After the debt crisis, both in Guyana and across Latin America during that period, and with the passing of Forbes Burnham, Guyana’s government would have been looking to quickly change our economic model. This is because the consensus was that the government owned far too much property and controlled far too much of the economy, leading to all manner of economic ills. Sales were thus the necessary result of a difficult economic period and rush to reform.

Anyone who wants to compare those circumstances with the undervalued sales put forward in the allegations in question is so far from understanding the issues, they must live on the moon. Without a serious economic crisis and massive need to reduce government influence, there isn’t much reason to sell government property at a greatly undervalued price. These deals just make it look like they were paid the difference in the property’s value as a bribe. It is important we allow the legal system to run its course and all these possibly corrupt deals come to light.

Regards
Malcolm Marshall