By Sue-Ann Wayow
OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is claiming that an individual with strong People’s National Movement (PNM) ties is being recommended to become a Police Service Commissioner.
On Monday night during the United National Congress (UNC) virtual report, Persad-Bissessar questioned the recommendation of Ernest Koylass SC to the Police Service Commission (PSC).
She said, “I have received the notification from Her Excellency the President of her intention to nominate one Ernest Koylass as a member of the Police Service Commission.”
Persad-Bissessar asked several questions concerning Koylass.
“Is this the same Senior Counsel Ernest Koylass who was listed in a Trinidad Guardian Article on 25th January 2012 as being warmly welcomed by then Opposition Leader Keith Rowley in a cottage meeting in Moruga to address the PNM family?
“Is this the same Ernest Koylass, who in 2017, represented the then Minister of Housing against some homeless residents?
“Is this the same Ernest Koylass in whose law firm of Ernest H Koylass and Company San Fernando East PNM MP Randall Mitchell served?”
Persad-Bissessar also asked if that was indeed the same individual why was he being nominated to the independent PolSC given his very strong PNM ties.
She said, “We cannot allow such infiltration and political pollution of our constitutionally Independent entities. If this persists, it will nurture the growing Rowley dictatorship.”
She also said, if Koylass was the same individual being questioned about, the Opposition Leader will not support his appointment.
President of the country not PNM
The Opposition Leader again called for President Paula-Mae Weekes to give the nation explanations surrounding the PolSC that saw all four members resigning.
She also claimed that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley was in fact the person who visited the President’s House.
Persad-Bissessar said, “I remind Madam President that she is not above the people of Trinidad and Tobago. I remind you Madam President that you are not above the law. No one is above the law. Madam President, can you confirm what the Prime Minister said when he visited you? The people are waiting for an answer and we will not allow this to go away.”
She also stated, “It is my respectful view, until President Paula-Mae Weekes tells the nation all the details about the now infamous interference meeting, she has no moral or ethical authority to make new PSC appointments. The President, by not addressing these interference issues publicly is bringing the Office of the President into disrepute.”
Persad-Bissessar asked, “How is the country to know if interferences are still occurring with respect to new appointments to the PolSC?”
She said, “She (Weekes) is doing irreparable damage to the democracy of our country, if she cannot come clean, she should resign. Madame, you are the President of Trinidad and Tobago, you are not the president of the PNM.”
The President should not be bullied by the PNM, Persad-Bissessar said.
