The Guyana Press Association (GPA) has condemned the actions of Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan following his intemperate outburst on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at the Police Sports Club Ground after the farewell parade of Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, when Ramjattan was approached by media operatives for a comment on the firearms dealer licence scandal involving the outgoing Top Cop.
Persaud had, in January, applied for, and granted himself, approval for gun dealership and firearm licences. It was, however, reported that the matter had reached and engaged Cabinet’s attention, and the outgoing Commissioner has since been instructed by Minister Ramjattan to revoke the dealership licence.
When approached, the Public Security Minister was hostile towards the media,
Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan
declining to comment on the matter when asked.
“No! Absolutely not! You seem to not have time and place, apparently,” he declared. Ramjattan then pointed out that he had spoken with online news Demerarawaves earlier in the day, and was promptly reminded that he had “cursed” in that telephone conversation with veteran journalist Denis Chabrol.
In response, the Public Security Minister, who was also performing duties as acting Prime Minister, said, “Yes! There are times when I could use expletives”. Further pressed on the matter, Ramjattan declared, “I am not dodging no issue”.
He then proceeded to walk away, heading to his vehicle; and while doing so, he uttered over his shoulder, “Haul yuh ass!” leaving media operatives in disbelief.
The remark, he later clarified, was directed towards Chabrol only.
“The Guyana Press Association calls on Minister Ramjattan to apologise to our members, and also calls on His Excellency, President David Granger, to remind his Cabinet that journalists play a major role in this growing democracy of ours, and should be allowed to do their jobs without fear or hindrance,” the media representative body has said.
The GPA went on to pledge its commitment towards ensuring that its members remain respectful in their trade, but lamented that this is becoming increasingly difficult when dealing with some ministers of Government and public officials.
Accepting that the incident did occur, Ramjattan said, “I indeed plead in mitigation that I was very much provoked into it, after several times over indicating to him I
GPA Executive Member and veteran journalist Denis Chabrol
will not make any public comments about the Commissioner at the Commissioner’s farewell parade. I still believe, notwithstanding my reluctance to do so, his questioning me on that score was totally out of place and wholly unwarranted. But I suppose the Press is always right.”
The Public Security Minister, in a letter on Thursday, again mentioned the telephone conversation with Chabrol, saying that he should not have expressed his feelings the way he did.
“I always thought that he was adult enough to accept my unvarnished language, especially when in a private telephone conversation. I intended him no abuse or hostility by that expletive. From now on, I assure you, he will not hear anything from me of that sort; probably not anything at all!” the Public Security Minister stated.
Nevertheless, Ramjattan went on to apologise to GPA President Nazima Raghubir, Chabrol, the GPA, and all media workers for what had transpired the day before.
Approached for a comment on the issue, on Thursday afternoon at a Holi event at State House, President David Granger told reporters that it was “not the time and place” to address the matter.
