Heather Robinson THE MINISTER of National Security in his presentation in the Sectoral Debate in Parliament last week brought once more into sharp focus the danger of elected representatives forming alliances or relationships with criminals. Dr Peter Phillips stated "The MPs in Parliament and our adherents must recognise it is not credible to hug up criminals in pursuit of power and then proclaim respect for the law after election day."
The Minister's remarks are very timely as there is a lot of "talk" now about the alleged connections between drug dons, plain old murderer dons, extortion dons and unfortunately some multi-skilled dons and some politicians. Parliament must have been an interesting place last week when the Minister was speaking. Imagine the responses to the Minister's presentation by those MPs to whom his remarks were specifically addressed.
Imagine further the response of those MPs who are totally clueless about any such connection. Imagine the response of constituents who are now wondering about the true status of their MP or Councillor, and imagine the response of the families of these elected representatives including mother and father and husband and wife and children. And finally imagine the after-parliament conversations between those 'hug up MPs' and their dons.
Several years ago a colleague of mine in Parliament told me, "don't start something you can't finish." He was giving me the same advice he had given another MP in 1980. O.D. Ramtallie was telling me that there would be disastrous consequences if I had decided to pursue a path of supporting in any way criminal behaviour. Happily, I publicly declared that I would not 'hug up any criminal'. Some politicians now find themselves in a dilemma. They have started something that they are now unable to finish without being exposed. They have developed relationships and alliances with some very ungodly, cruel and rich criminals. The roles in some of these relationships have been reversed. Gone are the days when the politician could tell the don of whatever ilk what to do. Some politicians are now being controlled by the power of ill-gotten financial gain.
MORE SPECIFIC
The Minister of National Security needs to be a bit more specific. He needs to tell us or better still demonstrate to us by way of arrests what are the criminal offences that are being committed through such liaisons. Those elected representatives who have now come face to face with their own finishing line would do well to remember a few things. Criminals love power and recognition, and are at times willing to go to any length to achieve their ultimate goal. Some will argue that politicians also love power and recognition. But there is a big difference between both. Decent politicians are not willing to do 'anything' to get elected, and are genuinely opposed to utilising criminal power for their own election.
Those who have now come to this their own finishing line must now ponder anew if there is any redemptive action that can now be taken that will make their departure from political life a little less painful for their families. Those who for years or several months have been hiding behind the protective armour of the parliamentary mace at Duke Street, need to remember that Jamaica is a very small place and here many people hear and know things. It is now only a matter of time, when those who know begin to tell what they know to those who can arrest, charge, place on trial and convict.
There are some Jamaicans who make no distinction between types of criminals. If you have committed murder, conspired to murder, extorted and raped, stolen your client's money, carried an illegal firearm, refused to pay for work done or consorted with a criminal, or if you traffick in illegal drugs, then you too are a criminal. And if you have been supporting, providing protection and safe passage to criminals wanted by the police; and if you have given them the moral authority of the Parliament by hugging them up in any way, you are an elected criminal. Hugging up is indeed against the law.
Heather Robinson is a senior life Underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
