The controversial State Assets Recovery Authority (SARA) Bill 2017 has been labelled “poorly drafted” and the “strangest bill ever” by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and former Minister, Priya Manickchand.
PPP/C MP Priya Manickchand
Manickchand told the National Assembly on Thursday that the Bill not only undermined constitutional offices and office holders, but showed reckless disregard for the country’s supreme law (the Constitution).
The former Minister pointed out that there was no proper consultation, and despite widespread condemnation, the Government was still determined to have the Bill passed.
While explaining that the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is not against asset recovery, Manickchand stated that the Government did not go about crafting this bill the right way.
“I believe the concept of asset recovery is excellent, it is needed, and it is timely. But it is the way it is being done. And we are not against corruption or dealing with corrupt politicians. This is why we, on this side of the House, brought a motion to the National Assembly to say ‘declare your assets’,” she recalled.
The outspoken PPP MP said a government that was genuinely concerned about addressing corruption would have voted in favour of that motion, which called on every member of the House, including those in Opposition, to declare their assets.
“This Bill is worthy of being thrown into the garbage…I believe strongly that this is a defining time in our country. This Bill in these circumstances concretizes what this Government is and our move into a descent in this culture,” she added.
