THE ADMINISTRATION of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has made significant efforts to stamp out corruption in the public sector and, lately, there has been a push to introduce legislation to combat organised crime.
But its tardiness in seeing to the enactment of important items on its legislative agenda has resulted in much exploitation of current loopholes in the law. It is scandalous that a joint select committee named to examine the Proceeds of Crime Act in November last year, for example, has met only once. This is unacceptable. Prime Minister Patterson must demand action from its members. They should see this duty as an important part of their role in the fight against corruption and organised crime in this country.
Following discussions with private sector leaders in the aftermath of their anti-crime protest rally in Emancipation Park, St. Andrew, last June, the Government agreed to fast-track several pieces of legislation. Ironically, it is only this week that the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) noted that the following bills have now been passed in both Houses of Parliament and are to be gazetted: the Police (Civilian Oversight) Authority Act, 2005; Criminal Justice (Plea Negotiations and Agreements) Act 2005; Firearms (Amendment) Act, 2005; Anti-Extortion Provisions; and Larceny (Amendment) Act, 2005.
Other pieces of legislation are pending because they need more time to address legal technicalities, including the Amendments to the Evidence Act; Law Reform (Notice of Alibi Evidence) Act, 2005; and the Committal Proceedings Act. The Interception of Communications (Amendment) Act, 2005, has been referred to Parliament's special Committee on Crime, which has been meeting in camera.
We note the Prime Minister's pronouncement earlier this week that the selecting and installation of his successor will, of necessity, push back the start of the next legislative year. We believe it would be a fitting tribute to Prime Minister Patterson's stated commitment to rooting out corruption, if the Proceeds of Crime Bill and Interception of Communication (Amendment) Bill were passed under his watch.
The Prime Minister should make this one a priority before he leaves office; even if it is to advance as far as possible the process of enacting these pieces of legislation. This would be an important part of his legacy. The law-abiding people of Jamaica deserve this, Mr. Prime Minister. Let us have a clear timetable for the passage of these important pieces of legislation as we intensify the fight against organised crime in this country.
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