Mary King; "at the 'Hart' of the Matter"
After the ridiculous Calder Hart scandal that has not only left the Trinbagonian people with an open wound (due to the government's inability to apprehend the criminal) but also a much deprived treasury, it has become evident that the individuals within this present government have learned nothing. Minister Mary King in her answers given when interviewed by the Sunday Express showed her shameful and almost comical ignorance to the law of the land with respect to integrity in public life. When asked by the Sunday Express why she didn't declare her interest with respect to the awarding of a $100,000 contract to a company owned by her family (and which she holds the position of Corporate Secretary) in order to prevent a conflict of interest, she answered: "No. I did not think it was necessary. I could have biased them one way or the other. So I thought the safest thing to do is to do nothing." One must be surprised at her ignorance for it is stated in The Integrity in Public Life Act that "a conflict of interest is deemed to arise if a person in public life or any person exercising a public function were to make or participate in the making of a decision in the execution of his office, and at the time knows or have reasonably to have known that in the making of the decision, there is an opportunity, either directly or indirectly, to further his private interests or that of a member of his family or any other person."
Prominent and influential individuals and groups are already calling for the resignation of Ms. King, but we Trinbagonian people should not settle for such a petty excuse of justice, rather we should insist that this Minister be prosecuted to the full extent of the law as in the same manner as that which should have been done to Calder Hart a long time ago. An administration which owes much of their success in the past elections to the dishonesty of Calder Hart and the corruption of the PNM should be ashamed that such similarities between them and the past government could be identified.
It is becoming more evident that as a nation Trinidad and Tobago is not progressing, in fact, we are rapidly catapulting backwards. With such actions on the part of Ministers how can we move forward? With the drive to secularization and a warped concept of morality taking hold of our country (ironically spear-headed by Ms. King herself within her capacity as Gender Affairs Minister) it is necessary that we go back to basics! I would advise every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago and most in particular students (being a secondary school student myself) to go to the Red House and read the Affirmation Of The People. We must ensure to hold our elected officials "feet to the fire," if not, we will get bad government. It's simply human nature.
Mikhail E.D. Byng
www.trinbagonianpaper.blogspot.com
