After a long and complicated legal process, Basdeo Panday, former prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, has been found guilty of breaching the twin-island’s integrity legislation by failing for three years to disclose a bank account in England operated by himself and his wife. He has been sentenced to two years in jail at hard labour, which has sent shock waves not only among his supporters in the Opposition United National Congress but throughout the region, as perhaps setting a precedent for similar action to be taken against politicians in other territories which make up the CARICOM grouping.
Jamaica has similar legislation to that in Trinidad and it is unclear whether there has been the full disclosure of assets which the law mandates. Because of the racial split in Trinidad, and because Mr. Panday was that country’s first prime minister of East Indian descent, many of his supporters are claiming that this is a case of political victimisation and an abuse of state power. On the face of it, the judicial process appears to have been professionally conducted with every opportunity afforded the defence to explain the non-disclosure.
The verdict is being appealed and could be overturned. But, for all intents and purposes, it appears that Mr. Panday’s political career has suffered a near fatal wound. In the interim, the post of Opposition Leader has been declared vacant. Regardless of the final outcome, we believe that regional politicians will have to face with greater urgency the steps that will be necessary to start stamping out corruption in the territories.
Dealing with corruption by imprisonment is not generally a part of our regional culture, although there have been cases in Jamaica of politicians being jailed for abusing the Farm Workers Programme. Incumbent governments do not normally go after their own colleagues. Perhaps the Panday case demonstrates a new political will in the twin-island republic about coming to grips with political corruption, and this may set a good example for the rest of the region. After the initial shock of the verdict, right-thinking citizens may come around to applauding it.
Many of our local politicians who speak frequently about the necessity for citizens to observe the rule of law would do well to follow their own admonition and comply with the legislation relating to the declaration of assets. This is but a small step to be taken in restoring order to more areas of national life.
The Jamaica Gleaner
