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Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley will not allow himself to be sidetracked by matters of integrity as he continues his campaign to be elected as Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister.
(Courtesy Jyoti Communication)
Well, that’s a load off the minds of people who are afraid of a radical change in governance.
At a PNM public meeting at Embacadere, San Fernando on Sunday, Rowley, according to the Trinidad Guardian, responded to an Integrity Commission request for information relating to his 2004 Declaration of Income Assets and Liabilities in the manner that people react to Jehovah Witnesses when they are getting ready for work.
“Between now and September 7, I am busy with the people’s business,” said Rowley. “I am busy putting this Government out of office and if that question could have waited for 11 years, it could wait for 11 weeks.”
The Witnesses probably mutter under their breath: Well, if you are too busy to save your soul today…
Presumably, ILP leader Jack Warner heard Rowley’s speech and sent the PNM boss a text message straight away: “Damn right Keithos! And can you believe the FBI wants to talk to me about stuff I did back in 1991?! Lolz!”
Of course, the Integrity Commission did allow itself to be dragged into disrepute during its “emailgate” investigations, when it seemed more beholden to Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s attorney, Israel Khan SC, than to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
(Courtesy Caricom.com)
And, yes, there is about as much integrity in the current IC as there is pompek in the average hot dog.
And, admittedly, Rowley has been quizzed about Landate more than Bunji Garlin has been asked about Machel Montano.
But most people do not get to choose which arms of the State they obey or set timetables for authorities. Rowley suggested he would be more open to talks with investigators after he is prime minister.
What could go wrong?
Rowley, helpfully, pointed out some matters that the IC could investigate like the $400 million Beetham Waste Water Treatment scandal.
Hands up if you ever tried that line on a policeman who stopped you on the PBR and he responded with: “You’re absolutely right. I will get straight on that…”
Just two weeks before the general election, the threat of a prison term somewhere down the road did not scare Rowley either. Presumably, he expects to be the sitting prime minister by then.
“Let me tell Mr Zainool Hosein something this evening, it was Sir Alexander Bustamante who said if a politician hasn’t been to jail he hasn’t been all over the country,” said Rowley, “and if I have to go to jail as a result of not responding to you in 14 days, come I am ready to go.”
Sir Bustamante must be a politician after Warner’s own heart then. His quote is probably on Anil Roberts’ refrigerator as well. And on Anand Ramlogan’s bed head. And written on Glenn Ramadharsingh’s palm.
(Copyright Diego Urdaneta/AFP 2015)
All over Trinidad and Tobago, it seems politicians are ready to make a jail. But never for the benefit of the people or the country.
Mr Live Wire cannot confirm that Persad-BIssessar steupsed and muttered to herself when she heard Rowley’s flippant dismissal of a legal body empowered by the constitution.
“Who thiefin’ whose manifesto now?!”
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Ppl please don’t get distracted FOCUS !!!
Voting for Rowley will be the biggest mistake. Imagine he impsbert/hinds/al rawi/khan and smith running this country. It will be a nightmare
The Partnership done sink already
Adults the days have no manners…
tryin to get headlines dis article, u mean integrity commission
Look at Keith rowley he does not have the quality as are pm
BYE BYE KAMLA
Bye Bye PNM!
LMAO
Any trini voting for PNM is stupid after 35yr of bullshit PNM giving away our money to the rest of the Caribbean country , now look what this pm is doing for the country it’s booming,this guy who running for pm take are good look Trinidadian ,as sparrow say we know we like it so
Agree!
“Many circumstances have taken place in the last five years and that is why I am here tonight,” Persad said.
Making allegations of corruption, nepotism and saying that all of the Cabinet Ministers who were fired and those who remained never stood up against corruption, Persad said that was why he was on the PNM platform. “It have a man called Keith Rowley who stood up against his own leader on the issue of corruption and mismanagement when he was in government. He was a minister and he lost his portfolio. He lost that power, he almost lost his seat in Diego Martin.
“He was sidelined by his leader, he was vilified by his own leader. He was a raging bull, he was a Rottweiler, he was all kinds of things but because of that courageous and noble stand, this very government is in power,” Persad added.
Come on people . Don’t pretend you don’t know why that was his response. Are we to bend and bow down even to a corrupt Integrity Commission because they are
the opposition leader blanked all the home media&most caricom countries shun him!! which island???
Play yuh doh know…I credit you with a certain level of intelligence, and so I am not goin to read and spell for you. You seem to be a man in the know…You may proceed.
which island???
🙂 don’t count on it
Glad I can help point the goodly gentleman in the proper direction! 🙂
One banned Journalist returns!
Thank you Ezra Joaquim, but I just wanted to point out to Vishwanath Persadsingh how disingenuous he’s being, while he and his party cradle in their bosom a certain fellow Caribbean journalist who spews such vitriol it makes your eyes water…
Glad you asked Camille…
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,189739.html
Who banished Julian Rogers?? And why???
so michael williams views is abosolute!!! no way!! and banished julien rogers is respected!! lolfolks!
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,64843.html
So now that the IC, by its own admission says that this mystifying re-probe was dead since 2006, what now? Was this a blatant attempt by Pp-sympathisers to try to bully a prime ministerial candidate into submission?
I hope the PP faithful are looking on and seeing this for what it really is: a disgusting attempt by an unpopular regime to retain power by literally any means necessary.
It is time for you to vote with your real conscience … #PPGetGone
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wired868/permalink/655418357927759/ This seems relevant…. If the President was acting like a real president, the IC would be dissolved….wouldn’t it? Then this whole issue would not exist. It is more troubling that we have so many failing institutions, that are supposed to serve the people…than that Dr. Rowley has decided to display a justifiable degree of askance at this current request. Context really matters here…not that this hasn’t already been said…but it seems to bear repeating….if in a different way….
But after having said all that.. I am not convinced that this issue is significant… to me something devious has to be bubbling in another pot, that certain ppl feel warrants this level of distraction…
I agree life isn’t fair Lasana Liburd, but if a guy who doesn’t like you and has high connections in the Police force and judiciary, sends his police friends (in uniform) to harass and arrest you… pray tell..?? Cause that is what this is.. the IC were obviously instructed to target Dr Rowley..
The deputy registrar needs to be investigated.
He kyah walk way so!
Poor Deputy Registrar take bad chain up nah
I eh running for no office..my ass poor but I’m still being harassed by the IC while Vasant walking up and down with music truck, waving flag and buying $6mil dollar house..stupes
He can’t have it both ways
And it will happen again Mel because no one cares how this occurred.
That’s a damned good question Vernal
But he praised the IC when Mc Donald said she was exonerated
So how the ass was a letter issued to Rowley, elves snuck in and typed it?