UNC sorry for Terrence, but says he was negligent

DAREECE POLO

Senior Reporter

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Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday expressed sympathy to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, who was robbed at gunpoint on Tuesday in St Joseph. However, UNC deputy leader Dr Roodal Moonilal criticised the minister and suggested that negligence contributed to the “unfortunate incident.”

Persad-Bissessar said she empathises with all victims of crime, regardless of political affiliation, including Minister Deyalsingh.

“It doesn’t matter what political party a person supports—UNC, PNM, TPP. I will care for them; that is my duty and my personality,” she said.

Nonetheless, she was sceptical that crime reaching the Government’s doorstep would prompt any meaningful change and pointed out that “4,500 murders, including the brutal killings of children, daily violent home invasions, rapes, extortions, and out-of-control violent crime have not prompted a competent multifaceted anti-crime approach from this Government.”

“I don’t think this robbery of Minister Deyalsingh will spur any positive change; this government does not care,” she asserted.

Moonilal echoed this sentiment, stating that the minister’s actions made him a “soft target” for criminals. He noted that the police service has consistently advised citizens to avoid wearing jewellery in public.

“I was shocked. Mr Deyalsingh ought not to be really sitting in front of a rum shop adorning himself with ostentatious and showy jewellery. We have had several travel advisories from foreign governments and repeated press conferences by the TTPS informing all citizens that they ought to take care. And part of that is, of course, not to adorn yourself with showy jewellery and parade in the public space like that. I thought that Mr Deyalsingh ought to know better and ought to have been a little more aware of the surroundings where he was placing himself,” Moonilal said.

“I hope this experience serves as a wake-up call for those in Government, prompting serious action and policies to better patrol and secure our society. However, I fear that Minister Hinds will remain unresponsive, and nothing will change. Tomorrow, it could be someone else. I urge citizens not to be naive and believe this incident will impact the Government’s commitment to fighting crime.”

Moonilal also criticised Government ministers for being disconnected from the realities facing the public.

“Mr Deyalsingh seemed out of touch with reality, perhaps believing he was above becoming a victim due to his position.

“Crime does not discriminate; it affects everyone equally. The criminal elements do not care if you are a minister or a shopkeeper. By flaunting jewellery, he made himself a target. In hindsight, it was unwise,” he said.

Persad-Bissessar said the UNC had supported 37 pieces of anti-crime legislation but the Government failed to implement them due to “incompetence.” She added that she had presented numerous anti-crime proposals in her budget response which were ignored.

The Congress of the People (COP) meanwhile condemned those expressing satisfaction over Deyalsingh’s robbery and those blaming individuals in at-risk communities.

“The tendency to assign blame to individuals from marginalised communities highlights the underlying issues we face,” the party said in a statement.

“As Dr Winston Dookeran noted years ago, ‘Trinidad and Tobago will not rise until Laventille rises.’ This sentiment remains relevant today. Any government that ignores this reality will continue to struggle with escalating crime rates.”

The COP said it rejected the “it’s good for him/them” mentality circulating on social media, and appealed for more focus to be placed on identifying and addressing the root causes of crime.

Warning from the Health Ministry

The Health Ministry has distanced itself from a Facebook page named “PNM St Joseph” that it said falsely claimed to represent Minister Deyalsingh.

“We encourage members of the public to avoid engaging with or sharing information from this fraudulent page. Steps have been taken to report the page and we urge the individual/s behind same to cease and desist from their actions immediately,” the ministry stated.

“Any post on this fake profile is to be ignored as it is calculated to cause political mischief. In addition, this fake profile does not reflect the Minister’s values as Minister of Health and a Member of Parliament.”

The ministry said all its official communications are shared through verified channels.

Despite being shaken by the robbery, Minister Deyalsingh told Guardian Media that he returned to work yesterday and even visited his constituency office. He emphasised that the people’s work must continue.