CUMUTO/MANZANIILA MP Dr Rai Ragbir on Friday broke rank with opposition colleagues in the House of Representatives and voted for Government's Whistleblower Protection Bill 2024.
Since last week, the Opposition vowed not to support this bill, which in its original form required a special majority. An amendment, made during the committee stage on Friday, made the bill passable by a simple majority. Following debate, when a division was taken, all Govt MPs voted "yes" while all of the Opposition UNC MPs – with the exception of Ragbir – voted "no." In the end, there were 22 votes for, and 15, against.
Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar was not in the House having sought and gotten approval to be absent.
As the House's clerk mentioned Ragbir's name, and he replied "yes!" all MPs on the Government benches thumped their desks loudly for several seconds.
Several MPs including National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, Sport Minister Shamfa Cudjoe, and Labour Minister Stephen McClashie gestured and smiled broadly at Ragbir who acknowledged them with a slight bow of his head.
During the sustained desk-thumping, several voices were heard saying aloud "Rushton," in reference to Mayaro MP Rushton Paray who had earlier voted "no," in line with UNC MPs against the bill.
Several UNC MPs looked across at Ragbir in disbelief as he maintained his gaze over at the Government benches. When came her turn to vote, an angry Moruga/Tableland MP Michelle Benjamin practically shouted out, "no!"
Paray last Saturday led a slate in the UNC internal elections that was significantly beaten by a three-to-one ratio by the slate aligned to UNC political leader Persad-Bissessar.
Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally, who supported the Paray slate, earlier voted with the party against the bill.
Piloted by the prime minister, the bill grants a whistle-blower immunity from criminal, civil and disciplinary proceedings and protection from being harassed, intimidated or victimised, or suffering loss in relation to his/her "employment, family life, career, profession, trade or business.”
Acts which can be reported include crimes, miscarriages of justice, and mismanagement of public funds, once the disclosure is made in good faith and not for personal gain.
PRAISE FOR RAI
Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales, speaking on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Testing and Identification) Bill 2022 – immediately after the division of votes for the whistleblower bill, saluted Ragbir's stance.
"Let me commence my contribution this afternoon by commending my colleague from Cumuto/Manzanilla for demonstrating in this House this afternoon what Members of Parliament are sworn to do when they are sent here by their representatives.
"Our responsibility here is in accordance with section 53 of the Constitution to pass laws that are for the good order, peace and the good government of the people of TT. That is our responsibility.
"And I want to commend the action of my esteemed colleague from Cumuto/Manzanilla to my colleague from Ma
