House Speaker violating Standing Orders

THE OPPOSITION United National Congress (UNC) is threatening to take Speaker of the House of  Representatives, Barry Sinanan, before the Privileges Committee of Parliament for violating the Standing Orders.

Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal, speaking at the  UNC’s Monday Night Forum at the Guaico Presbyterian School in Sangre Grande, accused Sinanan of violating the Standing Orders last Friday in Parliament, when he changed a question asked by Caroni Central MP Dr Hamza Rafeeq. Moonilal said by editing the question, Sinanan had created a question which was a repeat of a question previously filed. He said that was a violation of the Standing Orders. Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday in his turn at the podium, supported Moonilal, saying Sinanan was the most biased Speaker he had ever seen in Parliament. Panday said Sinanan was demonstrating “naked bias” in favour of the government. He accused the Speaker of carrying out the “dirty work of the PNM unashamedly.” Panday said Sinanan was trying to muzzle the UNC.

Also joining in the condemnation of Sinanan was Nariva MP Harry Partap. Partap said he was not happy with the way Sinanan was conducting the affairs of the House and it was painfully obvious that “he feels he is there to protect the PNM MPs.” Partap said Sinanan should never be showing bias and called on him to demonstrate “evenhandedness.” Partap said he was disappointed in Sinanan especially since he had filed several questions for answer, and none of them had been placed on the Order Paper. He complained that the questions were filed since February and April. Last Friday, after Sinanan edited Rafeeq’s question, the Opposition refused to pose their questions for answer which resulted in their nine questions  remaining unanswered. They will be struck off the Order Paper.