Housing Minister Dr Roodlal Moonilal is today urging the Opposition to be "more flexible and less dogmatic," as the Government intends to bring more constitution reform measures to Parliament.
He made the comment as he called on the People's National Movement (PNM) to take note of President Anthony Carmona's statements on Independence Day that there was no room for "bull-headed partisanship" in constitution reform.
Speaking at his Independence Day Indian Classical Singing competition at Fun Splash Water Park in Debe yesterday, Moonilal said he agreed with the President that there will be "growing pains" and lessons to learn in the constitution reform effort.He said he was happy Carmona "alerted the nation that notwithstanding conflict and different opinions on the matter (constitution reform), there can be no development without conflict and there can be no fundamental reform without the growing pains a young nation would go through." (See page A14).Moonilal said he agreed with the President that notwithstanding the different issues and the disagreements with the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2014, "we were able to come together and pass fundamental reforms."
He said he agreed with Carmona that things should not be done in a "bull-headed" manner."I appeal to the PNM to take heed of the President's statement and conduct their business in a more flexible and less dogmatic way, so we can build compromise and consensus with further constitutional reform legislation," Moonilal said.He commended Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her flexibility and her political will to make "critical" amendments to the bill based on recommendations from senators.He maintained the Government's approach to the taking the legislation to Parliament was the right way, since it sparked national debate on constitution reform. Moonilal said it was also handled well and hinted that the same approach may be used for other constitution reform legislation such as fixed election dates.
"Strange enough, in that short space of time it allowed for an explosion of views and a debate that you would not have had if you had a prolonged and long-term period of discussion and consultation. I think the timing as well led to an enormous amount of analysis in the society," Moonilal said. He said he thought Carmona understood well the Government's approach and "the need for pain to bring about reform. He indicated that he is a former judge he knows the law well."Moonilal said it was a successful approach, despite objections from various quarters, including Congress of the People (COP) members Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan and Winston Dookeran, both of whom voted against the bill in the Lower House.