Dear Editor,
Reports are that President Granger is searching for an “un-bribable” Top Cop. I wish His Excellency the very best in his quest. It is not that there is no such creature in Guyana; there is, but so rare, the president would have better success locating either Peking Man or Melchizedek within this 83,000 miles square. This will be so difficult, that “un-bribable” means threading the needle’s eye in the darkness and with one hand tied behind his back.
In my book, un-bribable encompasses more than saying no and not taking gifts, or yielding to temptation of any sort. That is a good, solid start, but it is not all. Un-bribable is about a man or woman who will stand for truth, come what may; run the GPF apolitically; demolish sacred cows; and be lacking bias in the performance of this most sensitive and pivotal of positions. And even this is not enough, as I see still more to this probing, meaningful, loaded word from the leader.
Editor, from the above, it appears as though I am (and the president, too) is calling for the perfect man or woman. I wouldn’t go quite so far; but as close as humanly possible, however, to that benchmark so as to be indistinguishable from perfection. Would be very encouraging to have, since Top Cop is as big a job and responsibility as comes in this town.
Now while I will not endeavour to define “un-bribable” I will table this. The environment is overloaded with cash, which has nowhere legitimate to go and nothing desirable enough to occupy it. The people behind this kind of money have moved whole governments; citizens should not cast their eyes too far afield or too far back. The operators are smart, seasoned, and sophisticated. They can disguise bribes in so many ways that even Lucifer would have trouble figuring out what is happening before it is too late. They have all types of senses, some of them still alien to Guyanese. They can bribe through cajolery, flattery, trickery, and every manner of intermediary. Sometimes no money is involved at the inception; there is merely the calling in of favours from those who owe (or are on retainer) to get results. Other times, the obscure, unrelated, and unknown can all be recruited to wield influence, to gain access, or to turn matters favourably.
Then there is still another aspect to this “un-bribable” business, through the treacherous and not-so-detectable. When corrupt movers and shakers are thwarted, they will try to undermine through surrogates. This can be at the hand of willing critics, or compromised and indebted media, or the shadowy anonymous presences. The point is that many make themselves available to be used to question and condemn (all objectively, of course). As I have said repeatedly before, there is a war going on for the direction of this country; a war for the soul of this nation. Integrity and honour (un-bribable) are urinated upon; yes, it matters that little. When unscrupulous men say nothing, do nothing, and stand for nothing, then all is well and there is great joy all around. No one complains about them; such is the sweep of the entrenched bribable culture that embraces them. On the other hand, when the few conscientious around dare to stand on ethical guard at the bridge, they are targeted and many are the dirty hands and dirty voices rising up to rail against them. They are bad for progress and development; they are bad for a certain kind of business; they are bad just for being around.
For all these reasons, I believe that with this criterion of un-bribable, the president is reaching for the Golden Fleece and Holy Grail wrapped in one. Though absolutely crucial for the position of CoP, it just might not be there. For this role calls for cast-iron character, armoured spirit, and steeliness of purpose. And to those should be added an abiding fortress-like faith in the divine. I would not have thought it, but in this one, I sense a presidential affinity with me in being an impossible dreamer. Good luck, Mr. President.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
