MSJ to decide this month on backing PNM in THA polls

The Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) will  announce on November 18 if it will take part in the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly elections or will support the Opposition PNM. Its leader David Abdulah said yesterday the party would state its position — whether to contest on its own or lend indirect support through  an alliance — when it held a congress on November 18 at Palm’s Club, San Fernando.

He and MSJ members were on the Brian Lara Promenade, Port-of-Spain, yesterday to publicise the congress and obtain signatures for a petition to protest against the PP Government’s handling of national issues. The MSJ left the PP coalition in May.

On its position on THA elections, Abdulah said: “At our congress we will be making some important announcements on those political matters. “We will also announce the work of the party going forward and position ourselves as an alternative, the only alternative for T&T in terms of vision and policies which we will unveil then.”

Abdulah said an announcement also would be made at the congress on where the petition would be lodged. He also commented on the US Embassy’s travel advisory warning travellers to exercise caution after robberies in the Glencoe/Westmoorings area, including Rocky Garcia’s home in the district.

“Advisories issued by these countries affect our tourism. It’s Government’s responsibility to address crime. If citizens feel safe, our visitors will feel safe,” he added. Abdulah said while the MSJ commiserated with the US on damage by Hurricane Sandy, he said T&T’s regional neighbours who were hit first should not be forgotten.

”Let’s not forget  Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Bahamas. Haiti has not even recovered from earthquake damage. We have a responsibility as a Caribbean state to offer whatever help we can to our neighbours closest to home,” Abdulah added.