Dear Editor,
THERE was an interesting, eye-catching poster on display in Linden, through which the author sought to highlight the public message: “I saw them thieving the Mace! Now they must serve their time.”

The realistic and appropriate, raw truth of this statement requires no qualifying justifications when one revisits the recent outlandish act (caught on camera), lawless conduct of some APNU/PNC parliamentarians in the National Assembly.

The flagrant abuse by many at this highest level in the opposition camp must not be condoned and demands the strongest sanctions. Certainly, failure to act accordingly will likely influence and result in the fertilisation of a total breakdown of law and order. Following the six-meeting suspensions of eight APNU+AFC Parliamentarians recommended by the Privileges Committee of the Assembly, this column is reliably informed that PNC operatives made significant attempts to organise a ‘picketing’ demonstration rejecting the disciplinary measures. The people of Linden refused to join the picket line supporting the anarchic behaviour of this cabal group while sending a strong message by displaying a most relevant poster.

The Guyanese people must stand up against such lawlessness in the National Assembly. The historic and symbolic relevance represents the authority of Parliament, the third tier of our governance system. When he enters or leaves the chamber, the Speaker is preceded by the Sergeant-at-Arms bearing the mace on his right shoulder.

When the National Assembly is in session, the mace is placed on the Clerk’s table, with its head pointing towards the government side of the chamber. It is also placed in a particular approved position when the Assembly is sitting as a Committee of the whole Assembly. Therefore, the attacks on the Parliament itself, give light to why this initial sanction as an offence regulator is seen by many as a mere slap on the wrist.

During the chaotic situation, Annette Ferguson, joined by other APNU+AFC parliamentarians was recorded trying to steal the Speaker’s mace in a vulgar and thuggish attempt to remove the Speaker’s authority. This intent is also evidenced by subsequent legal claims by the Coalition representatives that the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act that was being addressed by the House was not properly passed. The situation was an attempt by the opposition MPs to prevent the Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, from presenting the second reading of the bill.

However, the struggle for the mace was halted by a determined “human wall” that was put in place by the courageous PPP/C parliamentarians, while Clerk McPherson, the Speaker’s Assistant, made every effort to secure the special instrument. He was seen by the world lying on the floor at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, holding on to the “mace.” Further, he was made the target of imposed public assault, humiliation, and verbal abuse from the APNU+AFC parliamentarians, particularly MP Maureen Philadelphia.

Editor, the never-before-seen events of Wednesday, December 21, 2021, in the halls of our National Assembly drew widespread national and global condemnation. The PPP/C’s outstanding Attorney-General, Mr Anil Nandlall, vehemently condemned the atrocious unparliamentary behaviour of the opposition Members of Parliament who were shouting to the top of their voices as they vulgarly vented their outrageous feelings against the hard-working staff at the National Assembly.

The veteran PPP/C parliamentarian, Gail Teixeira, with all her experience took control of the situation along with her other MPs as they successfully went through the Order Paper. The fact is that the leaderless APNU+AFC were caught with their pants down and resorted to what they do best, wanton street-type bullyism.

Such unacceptable behaviour must never be allowed in our Parliament and must be considered an indictment against which the stronger enforceable options must be considered as a future deterrent, since the hallowed walls of Parliament must be respected. The peoples’ representatives at the highest level must conduct themselves with appropriate prudence and décor. Comparatively, only recently several ‘like’ representatives in the United States of America were arrested for less-than-acceptable conduct while participating in public protest activities outside of the Senate. Similarly, clear guidelines of behaviour at this level cannot be overlooked when our governance system is being placed under siege.

The suspended opposition Members of Parliament, in this case, have done the crime and must do their time! This column, therefore, cannot disagree with MP and Minister of Governance, Teixeira, who recently expressed her wish that the suspended MPs will realise their role in the National Assembly and set a good example to our youth and students.

Guyanese must accept the fact that the PPP/C government is doing its best for a better Guyana; our nation is on the rise and our people must unite for us to live a good life.

Yours respectfully,
Neil Kumar