Dear Editor: The latest position taken by Opposition Leader Penny Beckles regarding the extension of the State of Emergency raises serious questions about the priorities and direction of the People’s National Movement.
The people of Trinidad and Tobago deserve answers. When criminal elements continue to threaten communities, when law enforcement agencies are engaged in ongoing operations against gangs and violent offenders, and when national security remains a major concern, why would any responsible political party refuse to support measures that are designed to assist in maintaining public safety?
This is not the first time we have seen such a position from the PNM. Citizens will recall the debate surrounding Zone of Special Operations legislation, a measure that was presented as an important tool in the fight against serious crime. At that time, the PNM also chose not to support the legislation. Today, the same pattern appears to be repeating itself.
The question therefore becomes simple. What exactly is the rationale?
Is the PNM genuinely concerned about public safety, or has the party become so consumed by opposition politics that it is prepared to oppose almost anything proposed by the Government, regardless of its potential benefits to law abiding citizens?
The people of Trinidad and Tobago are not interested in political games. They are interested in results. They want safer communities. They want criminals taken off the streets. They want their children to be able to travel to school safely. They want businesses to operate without fear of extortion, robbery and violence.
The reality is that the population has endured decades of promises from politicians while crime continued to escalate. Citizens are now demanding action. They are demanding leadership. They are demanding that public officials place national interest above partisan calculations.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the People’s UNC Government were elected with a mandate to address the concerns of ordinary citizens, including the issue of crime. Whether one supports every decision of the Government or not, there can be no denying that the administration has demonstrated a willingness to take decisive action in confronting national challenges.
What is troubling is the apparent willingness of the Opposition to stand on the sidelines and criticize while offering little in the way of practical alternatives. Opposition is an important feature of democracy. However, opposition for the sake of opposition serves no one. A responsible opposition should challenge where necessary, improve where possible, and support measures that advance the national interest.
Many citizens are now asking whether the PNM has learned anything from its electoral defeat. The population delivered a verdict at the ballot box. Yet instead of demonstrating a renewed commitment to constructive politics, the party appears determined to continue the same confrontational approach that many voters rejected.
The country is facing serious issues. Crime remains a threat. Economic competitiveness remains important. National development requires stability and cooperation. This is not the time for political grandstanding.
If the Opposition believes the extension of the State of Emergency is unnecessary, then it should present clear evidence and practical alternatives. It should explain how law enforcement agencies can maintain pressure on criminal networks without the tools they have requested. It should explain how communities plagued by violence will benefit from the removal of those measures.
Simply saying no is not leadership.
The people of Trinidad and Tobago are watching carefully. They are evaluating not only the Government but also the Opposition. They are paying attention to who is prepared to put country before politics and who is more interested in scoring political points.
At a time when citizens are demanding unity against crime, the refusal to support measures that authorities consider necessary will inevitably invite scrutiny and criticism. That is the nature of democratic accountability.
The national interest must always come first.
The people deserve serious leadership, serious solutions and serious commitment to public safety. Anything less would be a disservice to the nation.
Anthony Obrady,
Arima
