The Opposition APNU+AFC is reiterating its call for the government to ask Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to step down and make way for an independent investigation into the allegations of bribery made by Chinese businessman, Su Zhirong and aired in a Vice News expose back in June.
The latest call came following a September 19 report in the Stabroek News which informed that President Irfaan Ali is still of the view that, despite the allegations, the international perception of Guyana has not changed and its image has not taken a hit by the actions of a man he described as a carpetbagger.
At its weekly press conference, the Opposition responded directly to the contents of the article.
Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir said that President Ali seemed mostly to be trying to convince himself that the allegations of bribery and abuse of office surrounding Jagdeo did not damage the international reputation of the country. She said that if the allegations were not so serious, then the President’s response could be considered laughable.
“If indeed the international reputation of the country suffered no harm, as President Ali believes, then it could only mean that the rampant high-level corruption in the PPP government is already widely known and has already wreaked havoc on the country’s image. It could only mean that Su-gate was therefore merely another drop in the ocean of PPP corruption. That the President himself is defending VP Jagdeo it is clear that he is complicit in corruption.
“Whatever the case, the President needs to man up and instruct Bharrat Jagdeo to demit office with immediate effect. The bribery allegations against the VP are not only a matter of international image; they have direct and deep implications for the public’s trust in the PPP government. Who can sensibly deny that the Su-gate bribery scandal has further entrenched the public perception that every deal involving the VP or a PPP minister requires investors to pay so-called consultation or processing fees – that is corruption,” Walton-Desir said.
When asked whether the party would be looking at instituting private criminal charges against the Vice President, Walton-Desir said that it is not something they are considering at this time. Instead, she said that the APNU+AFC is focused on getting the government to “do the right thing” and have the matter thoroughly investigated. She added that the investigation is warranted so that all the facts are out in public.
“The first demand has to be that the President convene an international organisation to investigate these very, very damning allegations. It cannot be continued down the road of citizens having to have recourse to private criminal charges which most likely the DPP, as is her wont to do, she will dismiss them or discharge them. The government must fulfil their responsibility as the key custodian of law and order in this country,” she added.
Over the past months, Guyana’s Vice President has been at the centre of corruption allegations by Su, who is said to be a middleman and would allegedly lobby the Vice President on behalf of Chinese investors and companies. He told VICE News’ Isobel Yeung, while she was undercover, that Jagdeo was his boss and “processing fees” had to be paid to him to gain access to lucrative contracts in Guyana. Jagdeo has vehemently denied these allegations and continues do to.
The Vice President said that Su has brought his name into disrepute and globally it could mean that his image will be sullied.
“Yes, my reputation took a hit globally. They are not Guyanese so they may not know and this could be really major because it is international. This could be really big,” he said, pointing out that VICE has large viewership globally.
He has since taken Su to court in a $50 million libel suit. Su has not been seen or heard from since the scandal mushroomed.
On Monday, Stabroek News reported President Ali as being resolute in his stance that the VICE programme and Su’s allegations will not have any effect on this country’s image and says that Jagdeo’s lawsuit is not evidence of an impact but just the Vice President’s way of ensuring that the person who brought his name into disrepute is exposed to the full course of the law.
“I don’t see it translating as damaging the country. What [Jagdeo] he has done is to ensure that his credibility stays intact and that required taking action against this person. And he has done that and I commend that,” Ali said.
