President George Maxwell Richards will soon appoint a replacement in the Senate for Independent Senator Basharat Ali who has resigned effective September, due to ill health. Ali called it a day after a nine-year stint on the Independent bench. In recent years he has been leader of sorts of the nine-member Independent side.
During yesterday's session, Senate President Timothy Hamel-Smith announced it would be the last occasion Ali would be serving as an Independent Senator, assuming the Senate didn't meet again before month end. Hamel-Smith thanked Ali for his period of service in the Senate which began in 2003 when Ali first served as a temporary Senator. "We know senators do their research on their contributions and Senator Ali has served yeoman service with his diligence in examining bills, not much misses his eye when we're formulating bills," Hamel-Smith said.
Senators on all three sides (Government, Opposition and Independent) desk-thumped and applauded the tribute to Ali. Responding to the T&T?Guardian?on his decision to leave the Senate, Ali, 79, told reporters he had informed the president that he would be stepping down due to ongoing health issues which he said affects the performance of his duties in the Senate. Ali, an engineer by profession, declined to give details of his condition, except to say he would seek treatment locally. "I?believe in local personnel including in my own field," he added.
Asked what his most memorable moments or debate in the Senate, Ali said, "I'm satisfied I've made a contribution to my country and I think a lot of people will see it. There are many issues I've contributed to during the time I've served, including nine Budget debates lasting into all hours of the morning. Also my field is in energy so it's an essential part of T&T's business, "
"I will miss the Senate, yes, I?can't say otherwise. It's been nine years, it's a long time. I?had a cordial relationship with everyone. I don't fight anybody. So I'm leaving satisfied that I've made my contribution." Ali said he would have liked to have stayed a little longer in the Senate, but his health did not allow him to do so.
"And it's excellent the president realises that. Actually,?I didn't expect to be back here this month since when the Parliament went on recess (in July) I?thought they would have returned in September after I had left." Ali said he came out for yesterday's debate on the Financial Intelligence Unit legislation since he had participated in other bills on the FIU?and anti-terrorism legislation. He however said he hadn't planned to speak on yesterday's bill.