GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME 2025-2029

Hon. Second Member for Quartier Militaire and Moka! My pleasure! (4.12 p.m.) Dr. Ms B. Thannoo (Second Member for Quartier Militaire & Moka): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I beg to move the motion standing in my name – “This Assembly resolves that the Government Programme 2025-2029 presented to this Assembly on Friday 24 January 2025, copy of which has been circularized amongst Honourable Members, be and is hereby approved.” Madam Speaker, dear hon. Members, I am deeply honoured to address this august Assembly on the occasion of my maiden speech in the context of the debates on the 2025- 2029 Government Programme, presented by His Excellency the President of Mauritius, Mr Dharam Gokhool. As a new Member of this Assembly, a neophyte, I am privileged to initiate discussions on a groundbreaking programme that binds us to our destiny, that is, to serve this land and its people with diligence, honour and integrity. As a new parliamentarian, I thank the Prime Minister, hon. Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam and our Deputy Prime Minister, hon. Paul Bérenger, for having bestowed upon me the duty to serve the nation. Along with my fellow new Members of the Assembly, I can affirm that we are privileged and honoured to have been chosen by the people to represent them, to fight for their best interests and lead a nation from darkness to light with our dreams and hopes, shaping a guiding beacon. May I express my gratitude to our leaders for having embraced the aspirations and hope of every citizen for a land where our human rights and dignity are respected and valued, a land where humanity is protected and our future held dearly. This programme epitomises the leaders of the Alliance of Change’s commitment to build a government of the people, by the people, for the people. We, elected Members of this Assembly, sit at the cusp of history. We have been entrusted with the people’s faith to rebuild a nation that was formerly entrapped in the throes of pain and despair. With this programme, we carry the flame of hope the people have conferred upon us. We carry the aspirations of thousands of men, women, youth and elderly who have dreamt of a land where life shall flourish. Above all, we have been bestowed with a duty of rebuilding a land with a programme that encapsulates the essence of struggles led by workers, ecologists, human rights activists, feminists and engaged citizens who firmly believe in a fair and just society for each and every citizen. As an eco-socialist with an unflinching faith that a free and equitable world can be constructed for us all, this programme empowers me to continue the people’s struggle for social, economic and ecological justice. The 2025-2029 Government Programme in its entirety imbues us with hope and pride. It anchors in our spirit an unflinching sense of duty towards our people, our nation and our homeland. It is indeed a bridge to the future, a brighter, more secure and peaceful future. As noted by His Excellency the President, the country had experienced one of the darkest periods of its history prior to the November 2024 elections. In contrast, this Programme paves the path into a future where this Government is strongly responsive to the needs and aspirations of its people. May I express my deep gratitude to His Excellency the President of Mauritius who articulated our vision with shared faith, hope and commitment. This Programme channels our manifesto, the history-making signed agreement among four political parties to lead a nation from darkness to light, from despair to hope, from subjugation to freedom. It is the bridge to a safe and empowered future for the people. May I congratulate you, Madam Speaker, on your nomination. Madam, you have ensured so far that the Assembly is an illustrious democratic space where the freedom of expression is upheld in utmost respect. Dear Madam, you symbolise the aspiration of us, Mauritian feminists, and you are a role model to us all. Though we may appear little, we are fierce, as our dear Shakespeare said about strong women. Madam Speaker, I am deeply grateful to this Government, to our inspired leaders who have dared to augur systemic change that shall protect the democratic rights of future generations. This Government is embarking on key constitutional reforms to protect the nation from any further violation of our democratic rights. The dark days we formerly experienced are deeply scarred in our memory, and we are still tending to our wounds. The balm, Madam Speaker, has been provided with the future Constitutional Review Commission. It is to be noted that this Commission will guarantee that Local Government Elections will be held regularly according to law. This Commission further has been tasked with incorporating public interest litigation and class action into the Constitution. In a healthy democracy, people should be empowered to reflect, question, mobilise and take action. History has been made repeatedly when people mobilised to overthrow injustice across the world. With the forthcoming public interest litigation and class action motion, we are proud of a government that places faith in the people’s independence, leadership, intelligence and decision-making capacities. Mauritius has shone as a firm model of democratic freedom when the people rose to oust its former regime under which it had been suffocating. Constitutional reforms hailing democratic rights are the hallmark of a government ready to serve the people. The right to recall motion recognises similarly the primacy of public interest. It augurs good governance and accountability and guarantees future generations that their needs will be prioritised. Likewise, through the concerted address of digital rights, this Government Programme emphasises its commitment to protecting the people from the former invasive surveillance that threatened every fabric of our lives and robbed us of our serenity. A healthy democracy is where each citizen breathes freedom, where each citizen can reflect, think critically and contribute to the country’s wellbeing. The November 2024 elections precisely demonstrated the people’s intelligence, their firm stance against oppression and their refusal to be swayed by money and false promises. The Freedom of Information Act further seals the will of this Government to construct a model democratic state where every media organ will be free, where each citizen’s voice can be heard and heeded. A healthy dynamic and functional participatory democracy will be the historical legacy of this government, a government that seeks to empower people rather than divide and rule. A Government that aims to recognise our brotherhood and sisterhood, a nation with a shared cultural history, rather than draw boundaries based on obsolete and absurd ethnic divisions, is a government that is decolonising our minds. I am immensely proud to be a member of this Government that will undertake constitutional reforms whereby any Mauritian may stand for elections as a Mauritian. This Government is, thus, discarding the divisive legacy of colonisation. As a former academic who specialised in postcolonial cultural histories of embodied resistance and resilience, I can but beam with pride and respect for our leaders who are making history and ending decades of injustice. This Government is indeed entrenching the decolonisation of minds, souls and the entire island. It is setting an example for the post-colonial world to condemn and reject the toxic colonial legacy of divide and rule. This Government is setting an example for the entire world to emulate by forging a future where communalism may be dismantled and our shared humanity valued. Madam Speaker, system change is what we need to build a better, fair and just society. This is embedded in our Government Programme where the Just Transition Commission will be set up to anchor a firm ecological consciousness in every socio-economic endeavour. In a context of economic crisis and chaos, our leaders are to be lauded for having understood the ecological imperatives on which human survival depends. The Programme is an affirmation of this Government’s commitment to protecting life, nature and the land. By inserting the rights of nature in the Constitution, this Programme will align this Government along with the visionary and exemplary nations such as New Zealand, India and Canada, which recognise nature as a right bearing entity. For a fervent ecologist, inserting the rights of nature in the Constitution is the prime signal of a government that is cognisant of the life-threatening implications of the climate crisis. I warmly thank all ecologists who have led multiple struggles to which our government leaders have now responded with utmost sensitivity. Nature is life. Nature is our mother. Nature is our home. Nature does not belong to us. We belong to it. This Government has solemnly pledged to protect nature. It has solemnly pledged to protect life. It has solemnly pledged to protect us all and our land. Thank you to our leaders from the depth of our ecological souls that have been seared by the past destruction of our ecosystems. The protection of our ESAs, that is, our Environmentally Sensitive Areas, similarly illustrates how this Government has embraced eco-consciousness. This is hope. This is the bridge to the future; we embrace it wholeheartedly. Madam Speaker, economic crises are engineered to shape precarity, psychosis and a sense of fragility that make us vulnerable to economic predators. It is within this context that we need to appreciate this Programmes’ emphasis on socio-economic rights. This Programme epitomises our leaders’ refusal to sacrifice the people’s rights, well-being and future, no matter how deep we are mired in troubled economic waters. Our leaders will not sacrifice our people on the altar of economic imperatives. This is true humanism. This is true leadership. This is true ethos-driven decision-making. Thank you. I acclaim this government’s insistence on protecting workers, women in particular, with regard to the regulation of working hours with the 40-hour workweek. The provision of maternity leave for up to one year and flexi-time for women, as well as work-from-home schemes. As a feminist, I have strongly deplored the manner in which capitalism exploits women who bear the burden of social reproduction and care work, both of which are invaluable to the economy. The economic value of work carried out mostly by women in the home is silenced, erased, and taken for granted because capitalism instrumentalises patriarchy. Measures announced in the Government Programme with regards to workers’ rights place an onus on work-life balance and seek to ease the mental charge of women. I am grateful to women who withstand the demands of capitalism. I am grateful to feminists who fight for women’s care work to be valued. I am grateful to our decision-makers who have finally acknowledged that women’s work matters, women’s bodies matter and patriarchy needs to be dismantled for women to thrive. Similarly, I applaud the visionary step to be taken to amend the artist status in the law. The artist will no more be condemned to survive in an exploitative, denigrating and destructive system. This programme seeks not only to value the artist but also to confer upon the artist a recognised employee status for him/her to rise above precarity. As such, the programme recognises how the empowered and secured artist will be key to developing the cultural industry as a new pillar of the economy. Culture is our lifeblood. Culture is our identity; culture incorporates our dynamic and creative modes of engaging with our daily reality, our history and our dreams for the future. A thriving cultural industry is the heartthrob of a healthy society. This Programme rightly emphasises the much-needed expansion this industry requires to celebrate our shared culture and heritage. Madam Speaker, the Government Programme recognises the primacy of socio- economic and cultural rights as identified by the treaty, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that Mauritius signed on 12 December 1973. Yes, 52 years later, we now have a government; we now have leaders who will honour this treaty by incorporating our social and economic rights in our Constitution. This is system change. Indeed, what we are privileged to be part of is a leadership based on care and empathy. A leadership that will forge a stronger nation; a nation that looks after the most vulnerable members of our society. A nation that values dignity, respect and solidarity. The very values that our Prime Minister has reminded us are our empowering legacy from our history of enslavement. This Programme expressively stipulates that in Mauritius, the elderly, people with disabilities, widows and orphans will be taken care of. This is a solemn pledge that can but empower us in our daily struggles to help thousands who suffer from systemic discrimination. Madam Speaker, authentic leadership is about care and empathy. It is based on meaningful connections with humanity as a whole. This leadership of care is exemplified by careful attention paid in the Programme to a range of reforms aimed at improving the lives of each and every citizen. Indeed, pension reforms and the e-social security system are fundamental. They are concrete steps being envisaged to upgrade a system that currently condemns thousands to profound misery. As newly elected members of the Assembly, we are being called upon daily to respond to multiple cases of genuine and heartbreaking human distress. The previous system has been nothing but criminal; it has been cruel, deadly and monstrous. It has inflicted needless pain and suffering on the weakest of our citizens. This programme precisely seeks to give us the tools to support our most vulnerable fellow men and women. We welcome with our whole heart the much-required change in the social security system. We will not only care, but we will act upon our care. Madam Speaker, the Mauritian family has been under dire stress over the past years. Rising costs of living, poor employment prospects, the burden of long working hours and children having no hope of the future in their homeland, as well as significant social ills, have made our families frailer. This Programme recognises that the family unit has to be strengthened in order for our society to stand firm and strong again. Families are the foundation of social reproduction; they protect life and the future of humanity. Protecting each family is the government’s ultimate responsibility. With regard to education, we genuinely applaud the Programme’s emphasis on inclusion. Our education system has long been discriminatory and elitist with systemic exclusion of the most vulnerable, that is, students with SEN requirements. In the recent past, we have further witnessed the deliberate dismantling of the education system. Exclusion in a competitive system that is overly exam-oriented has sapped our children of the potential to develop their full intellectual abilities. It has been orchestrated, an intellectual genocide of the innocent and the underprivileged. Inclusion, in contrast, is progress. Inclusion is ethics; inclusion is the valuing of each child’s right. Inclusive education is the way forward. This government has already demonstrated its dedication to implementing inclusive education by eradicating the Extended Stream Programme. It was the prime example of how our children were being failed by a system that could not even develop their numeracy and literacy skills. This Government Programme, in addition, seeks to value teachers and their role. This fundamental aim can but redress the profound flaws of a system where teachers are not empowered to support the intellectual and holistic development of our children. Our children and their future can no more be sacrificed on altars of narrow policies and dysfunctional educational practices. Dedicated teachers change lives, forge aspirations and shape a country’s future. One of the main reasons I stand here today is because my teachers believed in me. With a growth mindset, teachers can make a difference for each Mauritian child. This is precisely what this government seeks to achieve. Madam Speaker, we can similarly applaud the close attention paid to food security in the Government Programme. Food security is one of the primary challenges we face due to the climate crisis. Anxiety about food access during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic still lingers in our minds. Disruption of the supply chain and the rising food crisis resulted in mere mass psychosis. It is to the honour of this government to tackle food insecurity and ensure that such traumatic lack of access to food never occurs again. Food is a basic human right; it is the fundamental physiological need as defined by Maslow, without which no other need can be satisfied. A government that feeds its people and that provides equal access to food is a responsible and caring government. It is duty bound and driven by contentious awareness about the climate crisis. It is good governance, for it bears foresight into an insecure future in the Anthropocene era. Madam Speaker, with regard to restoring law and order, we can but breathe with relief that the Prime Minister and this government are spearheading immediate and concrete action to battle the scourge of drugs. Madam Speaker, drugs have and are taking their toll on our society. Not a single day goes by without us witnessing the tragedies drugs entail in every corner of our society. The case of baby Catalea, murdered by a neighbour under the influence of synthetic drugs, exemplifies the human loss we endure due to the pervasiveness of drugs across the island. Drugs are killing our children, murdering our youth and incapacitating whole families. They are the bane of the land and its people. The Government Programme demonstrates precisely the genuine leadership required to battle the scourge no matter how hard it is. Amidst various urgent significant measures stated in the programme, the distinction to be made between traffickers and consumers denotes the willingness to take care of victims, to look after the people. This programme seeks to heal, save and protect. We are thankful and hold dearly the hope that no more children shall suffer the fate of Baby Catalea. May her soul rest in peace. May innocent children suffer no more. Madam Speaker, I thank this Government for paying due attention to improving access to justice, to enhancing judiciary processes and to forging public trust in the Police. The police and criminal justice, as well as the Criminal Evidence Bill, will no doubt be elaborated with due expertise to safeguard the public and ensure institutional efficacy. We may now breathe with relief. To have faith in the judiciary and the Police is what the people have been hoping for with bated breath. The former failures of both institutions had almost led us to the state of the Homo Sacer as defined by Giorgio Agamben, the state of exception where our humanity, our safety and our right to life were no more upheld by those in power. This Government is therefore ready to take on the most dire of challenges: make the island safe again. I am grateful to our decision-makers who have paid due consideration to the appropriate, safe and conducive conditions Police Officers need to work in. I strongly deplore the current dilapidated state of many police stations, particularly in Constituency No. 8. I think particularly of women police officers who work odd hours in conditions where they cannot even access clean and operational bathrooms. This programme reflects humane and sensitive attention paid to the working conditions of Police Officers. They are frontline employees and have to undertake extensive emotional labour. My constituency has witnessed the worst of crimes. It is our duty to look after those who will help us seek justice. It is our duty to ensure they can perform to the best of their abilities in safe and healthy conditions. Madam Speaker, a caring government is a government that dares take on board the criminal dysfunctionalities of systems it has inherited. One such dysfunctionality of extensive proportions lies in the healthcare sector, where we have witnessed the tragic loss of lives of patients on dialysis during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the firm intention of supporting substance abuse rehabilitation, improving current mental health care and ensuring more adequate services to the elderly, the programme entrenches the Government’s dedication to providing public health care. Free, quality public healthcare is the hallmark of a functional welfare state that forges equity across our society. As Margaret Mead stated – “Civilization is only achieved when the most vulnerable and sickly is carefully looked after.” Indeed, this Government programme epitomises the duty of care towards us all. I am proud to be part of a government that further places emphasis on youth empowerment, developing a dynamic sports sector and ensuring just access to housing. This programme bears in mind the precise social and economic dimensions that can empower each Mauritian, no matter his or her walk of life. To conclude, Madam Speaker, the people rose, broke their chains and handed us the beacon of light to a future of hope for each Mauritian. This programme etches a vision of ethical governance based on care for life, nature and the land. An equal and just society is what this programme aspires to. We understand the economic challenges, but we can’t hail the vision of our leaders. The drive to protect the people, redress the multiple wrongs Mauritians have been subject to for years and rebuild a nation where we can all live securely, breathe freely and be at peace is inspiring. A vision empowers. It draws from every struggle for human dignity, respect and the right to life. It shapes the purpose of life. It boldens our spirit to climb over mountains and cross rivers. A true revolutionary is guided by love for humanity, hope and a vision for its upliftment. I therefore call upon this august Assembly to approve this motion. C’est le plat de résistance et de résilience de notre gouvernement. Merci.

Thank you so much for your first speech. Thank you and welcome. I need someone to second the Motion. Mr Mohamed rose and seconded. (4.42 p.m.)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to congratulate hon. Dr. Ms Thannoo for her maiden speech. It was indeed une bouffée d’air frais. I am sitting down here, trying to remember what it was like not so long ago. Very often, when I am outside of this Assembly, I am told that they enjoyed it, not because the other Speaker threw me out very often – I did not enjoy that very much! We were in competition, the hon. Deputy Prime Minister and others; you were also there on the agenda, a lot of us were – but what they do say is they are wondering how it will be different. Madam Speaker, allow me to say that having listened to the hon. Member address this Assembly, not only did she do it with a lot of quality in the content, but she did it very calmly by respecting this august Assembly. All those of us here can say that when we hear her, we understand why she has been up to the challenge of going to the constituency of the former Prime Minister and taking him on and teaching him a lesson! As far as I am concerned, I find myself a bit in between those generations. When I hear the hon. Member address the Assembly, when I listen to the content very attentively, I say there is indeed a bright future for the future of this country when you have generations that are going to be taken care of by Members of Parliament of your calibre. Congratulations, Madam! I cannot forget to mention that in 2015, I remember I found myself sitting in the second row over there. The members of the MMM were also in the opposition. We were the only four of the Labour Party, only four! I happened to be le chef de file of the Labour Party. Quite quickly, I was joined by my good friend and brother, hon. Dr. Boolell, and he allowed me to continue as a chef de file. We happened to have lived a lot of events in this House, a lot of events! All those who have joined today, I feel sorry for you; you would not have lived it. It was a learning experience, a learning curve. History: one day, down the road, the future generation will at least know what you must not do.

Exactement !

Then, watch the videos of what the former Speaker did, watch what the former Prime Minister did, and watch what the ministers of the last regime did! When we told them time and time again that the people out there would not forgive, they laughed at us! When we questioned them and embarrassed them, the Speaker stood up and threw us out! Can you imagine, Madam Speaker, when I look at the Government Programme and I look at the last phrase, ‘Let Mauritius be Mauritius again’, those words mean a lot, full of meaning. Let Mauritius be Mauritius again! Mauritius, I have always talked about that in my public speeches; I talked about our national anthem. I even had the courage – was it a good idea or not – but I sang the national anthem, and then again, I thought it was quite good, but then again, when I heard myself in a video from the back, I do not believe I will change careers to adopt singing. When I sang those words, I said it to my son who was with me there, and I said to him, ‘I will sing it’ – when I left home, I said it to him. And he looked at me before I was going to pronounce my speech in Port Louis, and he said, ‘Dad, sing it,’ and for a minute I almost said, No, I would not. But the future generation not only understands the importance of those words, but they live it; they breathe it. It is in their DNA, and this is what Mauritius is all about. Let Mauritius be Mauritius again! This is what it is all about. Today, people can go to social media and talk against us. It is their right. It is their right to criticise, and we all know that they have views that we may not agree with, but it is their right, and look at the difference! None of those who have spoken out against us have found themselves behind bars; none of them have been arrested. You have not had police officers lurking around your yard early in the morning, breaking cameras, blocking their numbers and not wanting to be identified. You don’t have them pulling you out of your home without any reasonable suspicion, with no grounds for arrest. I remember what they did to the former Prime Minister; I remember what he did to me. I remember going to central CID with my then counsel, the hon. Attorney General here, Gavin Glover. I remember the tears of my late father; I remember how they made him cry. I will not forget. And when I stood in this Assembly and I said to some ministers the next day after my arrest, ‘I will not forget’, but I do not come after you with revenge; I will not. I will not forget, and I said to them, ‘We will put nails in your coffins – political coffins’, but they chose otherwise. We talk about political coffins, whereas we have seen what they do to their political agents. We cannot forget! Let Mauritius be Mauritius again! Where people are not assassinated for political reasons, there is no cover-up by politics or by police officers. Let Mauritius and every single department of government live again and breathe again where meritocracy starts existing and has meaning, not just words! And today when the hon. Prime Minister stood up and answered the question from the Leader of the Opposition – I have to make reference to it – I was flabbergasted. Can you imagine what it means? What does our Constitution mean? When you have the Prime Minister – he used to sit opposite us there – say he stands up and he does not know or maybe pretends to ignore what a sovereign democratic state is, what does democracy mean? What does sovereignty mean? What does all this mean? You do not say only words! You have to understand its meaning; you have to live it. Can you imagine what it means when you, somewhere, some place, conspire with others to spend more than USD 100 million in order to have a mass surveillance mechanism – MSM: Mass Surveillance Mechanism? Do you know what that means? I listened; I heard myself talking to hon. Assirvaden. Oh yes, it was you; do not deny it! Hon. Juman was talking on it; hon. Dr. Aumeer, who is not here, was on there. I heard my voice; it was my voice; it was me; I confirm it. Now, can you imagine the former Prime Minister knows exactly what I thought of him? I thought it was a secret; I thought it was a secret! And all along he knew exactly what I thought of him! That’s bad! But I am happy. Can you imagine that he spends hundreds of millions of dollars? Not long ago in 2023, there was an enquiry being carried out in Germany. In Germany, there was the whole mechanism that was put into place for mass surveillance, and the public prosecutor there recommended charges and prosecutions for the offence of high treason. High treason means that you cannot embark upon any process to break down democracy, the very essence of this country. If you are trying to break down democracy, therefore destroying democracy and, in other words, controlling the country by occult means such as mass surveillance systems, in certain jurisdictions, it is indeed high treason. I say it here that any person, Mauritian or otherwise, who embarks upon any process to carry out mass surveillance of the citizens of this country is indeed guilty of high treason and should be prosecuted for high treason, but it is not for me to decide; it is my view. The former government: the Prime Minister decides, the Police act – and who cared about what the DPP thought? But no! I am only giving you my humble opinion. There are many lawyers and colleagues here who would be able to express their views on that: is it not high treason to try to destroy democracy? What is contained in the Constitution, the right to privacy – isn’t this part of democracy? When one person who is the executive decides to spend taxpayers’ money to eavesdrop and not only eavesdrop! Worse! He stores the information for God’s sake. Didn’t we talk here about ways and means that he and others talked to the Commissioner of Police in order to get people to say what they wanted the witnesses to say in order to get people arrested? Let Mauritius be Mauritius again! When I hear the hon. Duval questioning about those Missie Moustass, does it not mean that he has come to realise that Mauritius indeed should be Mauritius again because he is sitting next to partners that he would love not to be sitting next to? They tried to get him arrested for God’s sake! They tried to get him arrested. Can you imagine? One Dr. Joomaye calling and saying: well, you know, let’s tell him to say this; let’s get him to say that. No, I have gotten him, then calling another lawyer who was a candidate in Constituency No. 2 and telling him, oh, you know what? I have said it, you know. I have told him to say so. No worries; this is going to be said, and that is going to be said. And today those people think that this is their version of democracy, but the people of this country have decided – you know when hon. Bhagwan said to them, ‘met to cask integral’. You see, he was being very… He cared for them and made sure no part could be hurt! You see he is a very caring gentleman. Integral! And one thing I learnt from him – very often when I was minister, he used to say to me, ‘Hey, by the way, you got your duty-free already?’ I said, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘You won’t be in power soon!’ This is what I learnt from him, and I went to say to the other friends, and you know what? They never believed us! They never believed us, and I said to them, You would really fall and fall hard because what you are doing is not a crime against us. Forget about me, forget about the leader of the Labour Party, forget about the leader of the MMM and us. We are just mere mortals, but you cannot do what you are doing to the people of this land. The people will rise, and they will punish you!’ And it was done. Now, this is behind us. Unfortunately, in order to chart the course, we need to know what happened behind us. That is why I have to talk about it. You know, let me say that. I was thinking very carefully about the preparation of what I would say today, and I decided to go extempore because we have lived interesting days, sad days, and if I had to live it again, I would say yes. I would live it again because it defines who you become. You see? I remember – I will stop talking about the past in a minute – but when I remember the Leader of the Labour Party being dragged from his home, Rue Desforges, they wanted to break him, but it defines what he has become, and I told him just now, at lunch – your victory, this victory that you lead this alliance to as Prime Minister, will be remembered for the future generations and the generations to come because in spite of all that they have done, he has taught us that if you believe in one thing, stick to it, be consistent, and stand up to those who try to crush you. Stand up to them! And he did it lawfully; that is the difference. He did not send police officers to the home of the former Prime Minister. He did not call the Police and say, ‘Get the former Governor of the Bank of Mauritius arrested; shut him in.’ He did not do all that. So much so, the people were asking questions about how come so- and-so is travelling, how come the former Prime Minister is going shopping on the Champs- Élysées and on Oxford Street and carrying Chanel bags and whatnot. This is his life; let him live it. But he was so concerned and obsessed with the former Prime Minister that he ensured that everyone in the country could be eavesdropped on, and he was ensuring that he could destroy this man, but thank God and thank the Almighty, he has not succeeded. I look at hon. Osman Mahomed, and there is nothing wrong, so don’t...

(Interruptions)

You see, very often he speaks of Singapore. Allow me to say why I say that. He speaks of Singapore, and when he speaks of Singapore, he always talks about what he has learnt from Singapore. I know, hon. Uteem has also worked there, and therefore, is it a coincidence that both of them are candidates in No. 2? No, but it is a fact that I learnt a lot from both of them; maybe sometimes they have the impression that I do not listen, but I hear whatever they say, and I take a lot of lessons from what they say. And when they talk of Singapore, they talk about the greatness of the technology in Singapore and the society in Singapore. So, this is how we were talking about reform. A lot of people have asked me what the digital twin is. A lot of people ask. In the Government Programme, we refer to the digital twin of Mauritius. As I stand before you as Minister of Housing and Land today, I went to my ministry in December and asked the Senior Chief Executive for whom I have a lot of respect, as well as the officers there, to show me a map of Mauritius. I wanted to see a map, a virtual digital map whereby I would be able to identify. I asked them to show me which land belongs to the State, which land belongs to the private sector, which land is environmentally sensitive, and which land is flood-prone. I asked them to give me all the data. Unfortunately, there are a lot of platforms, but none of the platforms could give me what I was looking for, and it hit me that I met certain very important individuals; I say important because I admire their intelligence, and they are important people to me – those who have a lot of intelligence, those who do not talk for the sake of talking but talk sense. Those people at the Economic Development Board told me that there is something called the Digital Twin that was implemented in Singapore, and this is what this government will embark upon implementing. It is, in fact, digitalising Mauritius, the whole of Mauritius, and using it as an urban planning tool. Imagine the future; let me take you to this future through my words. Imagine a future where you do not have to send land surveyors out there to measure the topography. You have a platform at the Ministry of Housing and Land. In that electronic tool, that digital tool, you will have a digitalised Mauritius. The Ministry of Environment will be able to share data on that platform as to what are environmentally sensitive areas. We will have information from the Ministry of Transport; we will have information from the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Tourism, all relevant ministries, and the Prime Minister’s Office. We will have information about the Safe City Cameras, so much so that if someone wants to apply for a BLUP, he will simply have to apply for one electronically; he will have access to the digital Mauritius as well. We will simply plug in the format of the building he wants to put up, and you will see the virtual building immediately pop up. And we will know, using artificial intelligence on that platform, with all the data, including on that platform, disaster management will be able to be catered for. We will know what traffic will be like in the 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 years to come. We will know what electricity will be required and what water will be required. We will know everything we need to know in order to plan a smart Mauritius. This is going to be a legacy project, and I have embarked upon this, and I know I can count upon the help and collaboration of all my colleague ministers, backbenchers and junior ministers for us to be able to move forward and stop working in silos. And that has been the big problem. A lot of our administration in Mauritius is such that whatever information the Ministry of Agro-Industry will have; the Ministry of Housing will not necessarily have it. Whatever information I have at Housing, you do not necessarily have it at the Environment, and we go on like that. We have to be able to have all information without any silos and be collaborative on one platform to plan a smarter Mauritius, and this is what we are embarking upon. Singapore has done it. So much so, Singapore today can know everyone. Access to information – this is what this government is all about. Not only will the government be able to hold the information close to its chest, but it will also be able to have it; maybe a subscription form, maybe in a different format, but we will be able to sell this data or share this data with members of the public in order to build a new Mauritius. Gone are the days where you do not have proper planning, and since I am talking about planning, Madam Speaker, let me say that there are two planning legislations regulating land development in Mauritius. The Town and Country Planning Act of 1954 and the partly proclaimed Planning and Development Act of 2004. These laws, Madam Speaker, work together to guide land use planning, but the Town and Country Planning Act of 1954 has become outdated and does not fully address modern land use challenges. Efforts to update that piece of legislation, including the passing of new Acts in 1990 and 1995, have been unsuccessful. While the Planning and Development Act of 2004 was intended to replace the Town and Country Planning Act, it could not be fully implemented due to changes in other laws, such as the Business Facilitation and Local Government Acts. Additionally, the Town and Country Planning Act of 1954 appellate function was transferred to the Environment and Land Use Appeal Tribunal of 2012, a real mess. So finally, we need to put some order in all this, and I will be working very closely with my learnt colleague, the hon. Attorney General, and his office in order to achieve this. There is a need to align the legal framework for the preparation and approval of all planning instruments. The current framework for the outline planning scheme has often been challenged in court, with one of the most recent cases being Beaux Songes Development v/s UBP, decided by the Privy Council in 2018. Now, this situation has impacted environmentally sensitive areas, for example, Pomponette and La Cambuse. Loopholes and inconsistencies saved promoters from being unable to bypass certain parameters. There is another issue I would like to address, Madam Speaker, and it is as follows. This is a challenge that we will have to decide and deal with at the level of government. Back in 2017, everyone will remember and try to recall – let us go through the full exercise – who was Minister of Finance in 2017? Anyone will recall? Who? Yes, him. Call him by his name! So, when he was Minister of Finance in 2017, the big question we have right now is access to land. Not only have we heard questions about access to social housing this morning, but think about all the Pas Géométriques and state lands around Mauritius that a lot of promoters are after. That is a fact! So, as a country, we are at the junction right now, and we will have to decide where we stand. Yes, there is a need to have foreign direct investment coming to Mauritius, and there are various ways and means for it to come in. One of them is through the sale of property to foreigners. One of them. In 2017, the Ministry of Finance wrote a letter to the Managing Director of the Board of Investment whereby it referred to the apprehensions of the Economic Development Board. The Economic Development Board was against the scheme put up by the then government to sell state lands. They devised ways and means to facilitate the selling of state lands to foreigners. For example, you have promoters who come in, they convert their lease, campement, and then they have the right to sell to foreigners as though it is behind the whole idea of a co-propriété. When one listens to people of this country speaking, one of the issues they are preoccupied about is as follows. Yes, it brings in revenue. I have had some facts, and I will share them with the House. It brings in revenue, but at what price? You see, let us look at it this way. When I look at the facts, between 2017 and January 2025, the EDB was in receipt of 1,230 applications for acquisition of ground plus 2 residential apartments by non-citizens. The gross value of these applications – 19.6 billion. That is the record of the EDB. Out of these applications over that period, 144 were in relation to an apartment, part of a residential development situated over state land, Pas Géométriques, with coastal frontage. The value of these applications grossly amounts to 4.1 billion. The status of these 144 applications: 75 applications approved, having a gross value of 1.79 billion. Out of the 75 authorised transactions, 61 were concluded for an amount of 1.256 million as per records of the EDB. So, the issue is, yes. What is the rental per arpent? Between 390,000 and one million. Yes, you get money in terms of registration or land transfer, but at the end of the day, when you have apartments selling for 1.5 million euros or 2 million euros bought by foreigners, that does create a disbalance with regard to the price of property and accessibility for Mauritians. So, finally, I was, myself, walking on the north coast – that is strange enough. I never thought I would become Minister of Housing and Lands. Thank you, hon. Prime Minister – I wanted to rent out a property because – I will share it; we are all family – my sister-in-law is coming, and I wanted to make her spend a nice time at the beach and find a nice property on the beach. I stood before a building on the Pas Géométriques, and I found an excellent property. When I was there one night having dinner with her, I managed to speak to the watchman. I often do that, and you learn a lot of things. The Prime Minister taught me that if you speak to the person on the ground, you will learn more. And I learnt a lot. I learnt that the whole building was owned by foreigners on Pas Géométriques. The north coast, all of it, is owned by foreigners. So, the job of my ministry, therefore, with the help of my colleagues, will be to decide as a balancing exercise: are we, in the name, ready to sell the whole property, the country, to foreigners? Then, we all end up being what? We will have to rent out to be able to enjoy a frontage? That is the problem. So, let me conclude, Madam Speaker, by saying that I am indeed in a very important position, I admit. Once upon a time, this position was occupied by my late grandfather. I must say that la barre is very high, very high indeed because not only did he, at one point in time, carry out and implement measures that are still today helping the country. But the expectation of the Prime Minister for each of us, his Ministers, Members of Parliament, Junior Ministers and backbenchers is indeed very high because the people out there expect us to provide solutions to the wrongs of the past. So, yes, NHDC and NSLD will be reviewed and reformed. Social justice for social housing. My friends will have the opportunity of putting questions on those matters which I will gladly answer, and I will enlighten the House on all development as we go along. However, why I chose to speak about this issue of foreigners – we have nothing against foreigners, clearly – but somewhere, some place, we have to brainstorm because we do not want Mauritians to end up being lokater in their own country. That is not the aim of this government. I am certain. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, hon. Minister for raising some very important issues for the benefit of the people. I wanted to say that, in fact, before you spoke, we were to have hon. A. Duval speak. But I want to make it quite clear to everybody that he decided not to speak for whatever personal reasons. It is not that I have asked him not to speak. He was to speak, in fact, before you. I thank you. I think we can break for tea. I was going to say 30 minutes. 40 minutes? I think we need a bit of rest, and then we will have fresh ideas. So, we will be back here in about 30 minutes. At 5.14 p.m., the Sitting was suspended. On resuming at 5.50 p.m. with the Deputy Speaker in the Chair.

Hon. Members, please be seated! Yes, hon. Etwareea, you have the floor! Mr R. Etwareea (Third Member for Grand'Baie & Poudre d'Or) : J’ai adoré le regard dans les rétroviseurs de l’honorable Shakeel Mohamed juste avant. J’ai adoré comment il a lancé le débat autour de la place de la promotion immobilière pour la croissance de l’île. J’ai apprécié l’hommage qu’il a rendu au Premier ministre, surtout à sa résilience. À mon tour de rendre hommage à l’honorable Paul Bérenger. Très personnellement, je dois ma carrière à Port-Louis, à Genève, puis à Bruxelles, et maintenant cette place à l’Assemblée législative, grâce à lui. Je parle d’un travailleur infatigable, rigoureux, percutant. Je parle d’un intellectuel accompli, d’un homme de conviction ayant un sens profond de l’humain et de justice sociale. C’est un historien avec une grande compréhension des relations internationales. Je me souviens lorsqu’il nous parlait déjà à l’époque du taux repo, de l’OTAN et de programmes d’ajustement structurel du FMI. Il a fait face à des vents contraires, à des trahisons, à des retournements de veste, il a persévéré et, comme le Premier ministre actuel, il est là alors que ses détracteurs se trouvent dans Karo Kann, comme on aime bien le dire. Il a inspiré plusieurs générations d’hommes et de femmes politiques, dont moi. Travailler avec lui au Parlement aujourd’hui, mais aussi au sein du Mouvement militant mauricien, membre de l’Alliance pour le changement, est un privilège. Je suis tout aussi heureux de siéger ici aux côtés du leader de cette alliance à qui je rends également hommage. Pour ce discours inaugural, je ne peux pas oublier feu mes parents et toute ma famille qui ont relevé avec moi les défis de ces dernières élections. Je leur exprime ici mon immense reconnaissance, tout comme aux électeurs de la circonscription Grand Baie/Poudre d'Or où 57 % de l’électorat a donné un magistral coup de pied à un régime MSM décadent et pourri dont les intérêts personnels de ses dirigeants comptaient davantage que ceux du pays. Il fallait avoir du toupet pour dire qu’il y avait un feel-good factor dans le pays alors même que, comme aujourd’hui encore, l’eau courante n’est pas accessible à de nombreuses familles à Grand Gaube ou à Grand Baie ; qu’un blackout pend comme l’épée de Damoclès sur la tête de la population à Goodlands, à Roche Terre et en réalité sur tout le pays ; que les transports en commun inefficaces laissent des centaines de passagers sous des arrêts d’autobus à Melville, à Madame Azor ou à Cap Malheureux. M. le président, je me retrouve parfaitement dans le discours du programme présenté l’autre jour par le président de la République. Je n’ai donc aucune hésitation à soutenir le vote de remerciements présenté par notre amie et collègue, l’honorable Babita Thannoo, il y a un instant. Même la bourse mauricienne a salué le programme du gouvernement, et puis les indices boursiers ont augmenté à Maurice alors que les principales places financières dans le monde ont cédé leur position la semaine passée. Le programme présenté l’autre jour fait une place prépondérante à l’économie bleue. Effectivement, le pays a besoin d’un nouveau pôle de croissance. Une industrie de la pêche se reposant sur la technologie et des infrastructures modernes a un potentiel énorme en termes de création d’emplois et de richesses. Le poisson remplace graduellement la viande dans nos assiettes et devient la principale source de protéine pour un nombre croissant de la population dans le monde, mais également à Maurice. Sa demande est telle que l’aquaculture a pris le dessus sur le poisson pêché de façon industrielle ou artisanale depuis une dizaine d’années. En 2019, les exportations mondiales des produits de la pêche et de l’aquaculture ont été évaluées à 161 milliards de dollars, soit environ 11 % des exportations des produits de la mer. À titre de comparaison, le PIB mauricien ne pèse que 14 milliards de dollars. Les exportations mauriciennes de poisson s’élèvent à un maigre 20 millions de dollars, autant dire qu’il y a du pain sur la mer. L’ensemble de l’économie bleue pèsera, selon le CDE, 3000 milliards de dollars par an à partir de 2030. Avec une zone maritime de plus de 2 millions de kilomètres carrés, nous devrions en toute logique pouvoir croquer notre part de poisson. On a beaucoup parlé de la pêche durant ces dernières années, on a beaucoup parlé dans le programme. La pêche, l’industrie de la pêche, apparait plusieurs fois dans le discours du président. J’ai confiance que, maintenant, les dés sont jetés, que la volonté politique est là. Et en même temps, M. le président, j’aimerais que le gouvernement porte une attention particulière aux accords de pêche que nous avons signés avec nos différents partenaires, qui leur donnent un droit de pêche dans nos zones maritimes. Trop souvent, nos ressources halieutiques sont pillées par ces puissances étrangères. Et trop souvent, ces accords sont signés, sont négociés en toute opacité et la population ignore totalement les enjeux, notamment financiers. Victimes de la surpêche et de la concurrence déloyale de pêcheurs étrangers, les pêcheurs de Grand Gaube, Grand Baie, au fait de toute l’île, doivent aller toujours plus loin dans la mer pour garantir une prise qui n’est jamais garantie. Nous sommes un importateur de poisson avec 2 millions de kilomètres carrés de zones maritimes. Nous ne sommes pas autosuffisants en produits de mer. M. le président, je pense plus particulièrement à l’accord de pêche signé avec l’Union européenne. Vous savez, après avoir raclé leur propre mer, les pêcheurs européens sont autour de l’Afrique et de l’océan Indien. Ils imposent déjà des accords de pêche contre les programmes de coopération technique avec nos pays. Nous devrions savoir ce que nous rapportent ces contrats. Profitent-ils vraiment aux pêcheurs qui sont les premiers concernés ? La transparence concerne, au niveau de la pêche, la pêche qui doit devenir une industrie importante chez nous. Poursuivons. Le programme fait la part belle aux secteurs agricoles. De la même façon, nous sommes un pays agricole et nous devons importer beaucoup de vivres. M. le président, dans le programme au menu, une agro-industrie moderne est en ligne de mire, une meilleure sécurité alimentaire. J’aimerais attirer votre attention et l’attention de la Chambre sur ces milliers de lopins de terre abandonnés aux quatre coins de l’île. Un cadre du ministère de l’agriculture a pris le temps et le plaisir aussi d’estimer qu’une surface d’environ 5000 arpents, peut-être que cela ne nous parle pas de ce que ça veut dire, mais c’est à peu près 10 fois la taille d’une ville comme Rose Hill, est laissée aux mauvaises herbes ou transformée en déchetterie. Nous connaissons les raisons de cet abandon : taille marginale de ces parcelles, aucune garantie de rentabilité, pénurie de main-d’œuvre. C’est paradoxal que nous importions des vivres comme la pomme de terre, l’oignon, de l’ail alors que de larges surfaces sont abandonnées. Renversons, M. le président, la tendance en créant des conditions cadres pour ramener les familles d’agriculteurs dans les champs, pour encourager les coopératives : achat des semences et d’intrants groupés et prix garanti à la vente, prêts bancaires facilités. M. le président, le programme met l’emphase sur une croissance qui repose sur des investissements, sur une productivité accrue et appelle à la diversification économique, mais la planification économique devra aussi mettre la question de la main-d’œuvre, qualifiée ou non qualifiée, à l’agenda. Ce n’est un secret pour personne que des entrepreneurs de tous les secteurs vivent le cauchemar de la pénurie de main-d’œuvre. Faute de bras et de cerveaux, des entreprises sont contraintes de réduire les activités. Dans un contexte de pénurie mondiale de main-d’œuvre, la situation ne va pas s’améliorer chez nous. M. le président, dans l’immédiat et à court terme, nous colmatons les brèches en important des Bangladais, des Malgaches et autres travailleurs. À long terme, il nous faudra passer à autre chose. Merci pour votre attention.

Thank you. Can I now call upon hon. Beechook on the floor. (6.01 p.m.) Mr R. Beechook (Second Member for Flacq & Bon Accueil): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I stand before you today to commend your election and the election of Madam Speaker as the beacon of this 8th National Assembly of the Republic of Mauritius. Your appointment symbolises the dawn of an era where the people’s desire for change in the conduct of the matters of this House is finally realised. This hallowed hall of democracy now regains the solemnity it once held, deserving once again to be called an august Assembly. Gone are the days of the loudspeaker’s relentless barrage, assaulting the ears of our honourable members. No longer will the menacing index finger haunt this House, a sordid finger that once loomed like a razor-sharp finger knife haunts in the darkest kitchen of our nation’s history; la fameuse Lakwizinn poised to silence the legitimate voices raised in this Assembly, but now, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, and under the guidance of Madam Speaker, we can look forward to a future where the voices of the people are heard and respected. And where the true spirit of democracy can flourish. The enlightened people of Mauritius, le peuple admirable comme le dit si bien l’honorable Paul Bérenger, have buried the loudspeaker not in the dustbin, but in the Mare Chicose of history et même Mare Chicose ne voulait pas de lui. Elle s’est immolée pour ne pas engloutir cette nouvelle espèce d’ordure toxique pour la démocratie. M. le président, avant de poursuivre mon discours, je saisis cette occasion pour exprimer ma profonde gratitude. D’abord au Premier ministre et leader de l’Alliance du Changement pour m’avoir accordé l’investiture dans cette élection qui n’était ni plus ni moins qu’une noble lutte pour notre deuxième indépendance. Comme l'a dit Nelson Mandela, la liberté ne peut être atteinte que par ceux qui sont prêts à être des champions de la cause de la liberté. Ensuite, j’exprime ma reconnaissance envers les électeurs de la circonscription no 9, Flacq-Bon Accueil, qui m’ont honoré de leur confiance avec 27 605 votes lors des dernières législatives. Je vous suis éternellement reconnaissant. Enfin, je rends hommage à ma famille, à mes proches, à mes amis, à mes deux colistiers et à mes bienfaiteurs qui m’ont soutenu lorsque je n’étais personne. Plus particulièrement, je dédie cette reconnaissance à mon ange gardien, mon défunt père, qui, malgré nos modestes origines familiales, rêvait toujours que je devienne un jour parlementaire. Merci papa. Ce discours est un hommage à tous ceux et celles qui ont cru en moi et qui ont contribué à ce moment qui m’est historique. M. le président, à peine Son Excellence, le Président de la République, Dharambeer Gokhool, avait entamé la lecture éloquente de son discours-programme intitulé ‘Un pont vers l’avenir’ que je ne pouvais m’empêcher d’imaginer ce pont de l’avenir. C’est précisément sur ce pont que repose le poids de l’espoir du peuple mauricien qui a renversé le MSM et ses acolytes lors des législatives du 10 novembre dernier. La colère du peuple s’est transformée en une force puissante comparable à celle d’un Kärcher pour nettoyer ce pays de la cohorte d’incompétents qui nous gouvernait depuis 10 ans. L’héritage du MSM se compare à ses piliers en bois du pont vers l’avenir infesté de termites orange. Ce n’est pas une coïncidence. Éternellement affamés, extérieurement solides, ses piliers sont en réalité évidés et fragilisés. Ses piliers fragiles reposent sur un chantier en ruine, honteusement masqués par des mensonges à répétition. Ils ont menti de manière répétitive, même ici, dans ce temple de la démocratie. Quelles pitreries le Premier ministre sortant et son ministre des Finances n’ont-ils pas proférées ici. La dernière en date : je laisse derrière moi une assise solide, c’est à mourir de honte. Je dirais même que c’est à dounker de honte. En voici quelques exemples : Le produit intérieur brut (PIB) a été artificiellement gonflé de 5,6 % en 2023 et de 6,5 % en 2024. Notre chère roupie a perdu 46 % de sa valeur face au dollar américain, entraînant une flambée vertigineuse du coût de la vie. L’inflation a obéré le budget des ménages comme jamais auparavant. Les produits essentiels, tels que la sardine, manze mizer, manze dimounn pov, nourriture des plus démunis, sont passés de R 12 à R 32 sous le MSM. Une boîte de Glenrick est passée de R 42 à R 112. Notre fameux fromage cheddar Kraft est passé de R 47 à R 101,40. Enfin, M. le président, notre cher corned mutton, Watsonia si par malheur le MSM était resté au pouvoir, croyez-moi, aurait dû être acheté non pas au supermarché, mais chez le bijoutier. Les Mauriciens l’auraient rangé non pas dans leurs buffets, mais dans l’argentier de leurs salons. Le corned mutton est passé de R 72 à R 174,41, soit une augmentation, tenez- vous bien, de 381 %. Pour terminer avec ce bal de mensonges du MSM, comment pouvais-je faire l’impasse sur ce qu’ils ont fait de la Banque de Maurice ? Une abomination ! De joyau de notre économie, le MSM a transformé notre banque centrale en planche à billets pour tantôt financer son budget, tantôt remplir sa dette, et tantôt la convertir en ATM, guichets automatiques pour distribuer de l’argent aux petits copains de la cuisine, tels que Pulse Analytics, l’éternel Maradiva, Ambre et tant d’autres. Ce programme gouvernemental vient rendre ses lettres de noblesse à la Banque de Maurice. Voilà comment le vampire MSM a sucé le sang des ménages mauriciens. Winston Churchill l’avait si bien dit : le courage, c’est d’aller de l’avant malgré la peur. C’est pour cela, M. le président, qu’il faut saluer l’audace, l’ingéniosité et le courage de ce gouvernement. Un gouvernement intrépide qui, bravant ce chantier de ruine, nous a gratifié d’un programme de gouvernement 2025-2029 qui s’attaque astucieusement non seulement aux problèmes urgents, mais qui englobe une vision ambitieuse à moyen et long terme. J’aimerais également saluer le leadership de cette alliance. Permettez-moi de préciser : qu’est-ce qu’on n’a pas dit du Premier ministre et du Premier ministre adjoint ? On les a traînés dans la boue, mais nous avons en face de nous deux personnes, si vous me permettez, l’honorable Bérenger, l’un a vaincu un cancer, l’autre a vaincu le COVID. Certes, pour une raison, pour une cause. Et cette cause, justement, c’était pour sauver la patrie, pour sauver ce pays ! Il y a un proverbe en mi-punjabi et en hindi qui dit : Jako rakhe saiyan, maar sake na koi. Si Dieu est de votre côté, rien ne peut vous arriver. Et c’est justement la voix du peuple, soit la voix de Dieu, qui a fait de l’un le Premier ministre et de l’autre le Premier ministre adjoint. M. le président, ce programme de gouvernement est fondé sur une idéologie solide. Il dit la vérité au peuple. Ce n’est pas un assemblage de mesures superficielles comme l’étaient les deux précédents programmes sous le règne du MSM. Ce programme concerne sérieusement l’avenir des générations à venir. Pour ce débat, je me suis appesanti sur le thème de la prospérité, qui, même si elle n’est pas explicitement mentionnée dans le discours programme, en est le cœur. La prospérité, barakat, comme on le dit chez nous à la campagne. C’est la jauge pour évaluer le bonheur, le progrès, la joie et la satisfaction dans le cheminement de la vie. Ce programme vise à rétablir la notion de prospérité qui est si chère. Avec votre permission, si je peux continuer…

Sorry, I have been made to understand that there is an agreement between hon. Members that backbenchers will have 10 minutes and the Ministers will have 20 minutes. So, I do not want to stop you, but please…

No, it is fine.

…try to abide by the agreement that you have reached. Thank you.

M. le président, je terminerai cet exposé en disant qu’on aura réussi à la fin de ce mandat sur tous les plans, mais si on rate, si nous ne gagnons pas la guerre face à cette nébuleuse du trafic de stupéfiants, si nous ne renforçons pas la lutte contre la toxicomanie pour sauver les enfants de notre République, on aura échoué sur tous les plans. Ce même peuple qui nous porte aujourd’hui dans son cœur, dans son estime, ne nous le pardonnera jamais. On ne peut pas se permettre d’avoir deux millions de touristes d’un côté et des enfants de la République drogués gisants au même sol par ici et par là. Dans l’île Maurice moderne et prospère que nous ambitionnons tous de bâtir au gré du travail et au prix de notre sacrifice, on ne peut plus continuer avec cette culture d’impunité made by MSM face aux diaboliques trafiquants de drogue aux aguets. Je suis certain, M. le président, qu’ensemble, nous vaincrons as one people as one nation.

Thank you. Hon. Jhummun! (6.15 p.m.) Mr R. Jhummun (Second Member for Rivière des Anguilles & Souillac): Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. Let me from the very outset thank everyone here for their contribution towards the overwhelming, yet anticipated, victory in the last general elections. While each of us did contribute to that victory, we cannot undermine the fact that the hon. Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party was the architect, firstly in constituting the Alliance du Changement, and secondly, in driving us all towards that end. While some were sceptical, he knew what he was doing. Without any dint of doubt, we all believed that he was l’homme de la situation. M. le président, I would like to thank the Leader of the Labour Party, hon. Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, for having given me the opportunity to represent Constituency No. 13 and to serve the country. My parents brought me up; you brought me here, and I will always be grateful to you. Of course, my journey from a sugar camp to this august Assembly would not have been possible without free education. So, I salute chacha Ramgoolam for the game-changing initiative since the 1970s. M. le président, we are often told that grand est celui qui se tombe et se relève. My message to the newly elected members, including me, is this: when doubts haunt you, when disappointment stares you in the face and you see not one ray of hope on the horizon, think of the dominer endured by the Leader of the Labour Party, and immediately, you will begin to feel stronger in the midst of overwhelming sorrow that you may be. I have never seen someone so brave, bold and daring. The saying goes, When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and you are the toughest of all, Sir. However, at the same time, this reminds us that nothing is permanent in life; la roue finit par tourner. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I used to tell my students that when we are in a predicament, we need to ask three questions: first, where are we now? Second, where do we want to be? And third, how do we reach there? So, I will stick to this paradigm. Where are we now? I will be neither pessimistic nor optimistic but rather realistic in saying that never in the history of this country has so much harm been done in so little time. If you go through the PESTEL model – politically, economically, socially, technologically, environmentally and even legally – they have failed lamentablement in all fronts. I do not want to get too technical, but the document State of the Economy, published on 10 December 2024 and presented by the hon. Prime Minister, gave a true picture of where we are now. Mismanagement of the economic affairs of the country like never before led to low economic growth, the weakest rupee ever against the USD, and a trade deficit that stood very high; inflation peaked, fuelled by the continuous depreciation of the rupee vis-à-vis the USD. Regarding unemployment, there is a mismatch between the competencies and job vacancies with a serious problem of underemployment and disguised unemployment. Where are we now? M. le president, as of last year, the public sector debt stood at nearly Rs560 billion, representing approximately 84% of our GDP. This means that we are living beyond our means. In other words, we are living dangerously. This is the legacy of the previous government upon us, our children and yet-to-be-born ones. The MSM-led government favoured politically congruent policies over economically correct ones, and this was the perfect recipe for their failure. M. le président, le comble dans tout cela, c’est qu’ils osent dire : a kot monn fote. The most infamous phrase in the Mauritian context, a kot tonn fote? I just hope that they are listening to us. You failed by the postponement of municipal elections, killing democracy and instilling a culture of despotism – we just witnessed the Moustass Leaks under your government, and this boomeranged upon them. You failed by allowing the rupee to depreciate, prices to rise, and not reducing petrol prices even though there was public outcry. You failed by dilapidating public money and the reserves of the central bank. Pour reprendre la phrase du DPM, l’honorable Paul Bérenger, ils sont partis avec la caisse, and you say a kot noun fote? You have failed to ensure regular water supply. You promised 24/7, not us; you failed to prevent flooding even though billions of public money were spent on drains; you failed to give houses even though you promised 8000 houses to the poor, and you dare to say a kot zot inn fote. They failed in the case of Wakashio, which was an environmental disaster; they failed during COVID-19, where they made millions on the back of a helpless population with the infamous scandal of Pack & Blister, Molnupiravir, and Hyperpharm, to mention a few. M. le président, they failed to kass lerin mafia la drog instead, more drugs were entering the country than ever before. They failed to restore law and order and to get the trust and confidence of the population. Instead, people started to mistrust the very institution which is there to protect them, the Police Force. Surtout le Striking Team, which instils a climat de terreur in the country. They failed because of their mismanagement; many public bodies and institutions ended up in precarious financial situations – I will mention STC, CEB, METRO, CWA, Air Mauritius, and the Casino of Mauritius. I remember once a former Prime Minister said, it is the only country in the world where casinos are making losses, and they did make losses for the last 10 years. M. le président, on ne peut pas oublier le cas de Betamax, BAI, Patel Engineering, Silver Bank and même la State Bank. All these cost billions of public money, and you are all aware there is no such thing as state money; there is only public money. It is our money that they have dilapidated. They failed because they did everything to kill horse racing in Mauritius, to kill the MTC and to protect their biggest stakeholder, which is known to everyone. M. le président, never in the history of this country has so much harm been done to the educational sector in so little time. It is a pity today to see what they have done to free education, which was the greatest gift from SSR to this nation. With the extended programmes, where less than 4% – yes, 4 out of 100 only – made it to the mainstream. On one hand, we have academies and co-education; on the other hand, we have regional schools where there are only boys or girls. We are indeed in a real mess. Le collège Royal de Curepipe, de Port Louis, le QEC et le collège Dr Maurice Curé, jadis une fierté, sont aujourd’hui méconnaissables. M. le président, due to time constraint, I know, it is not possible to go to all the frasques of the previous government, like honourable, my good friend, Rajesh Bhagwan, whimsically said that they will have to move with helmets to protect themselves. But my friend, let me tell you that Mauritians are nice people; they will not throw stones. Instead, the Mauritians did an extraordinary thing in an extraordinary way when they all went out with their pen, s’il vous plait, and sanctioned the previous government. It is commonly said that in politics you can fool some of the people all the time, all the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. So, the writings were on the wall, and this is what happened. Heureusement pour nous, M. le Premier ministre, grâce à vos efforts ces derniers temps, Moody's a donné la note Baa3 investment grade, mais bien sûr avec des avertissements. Where do we want to go? This is spelt out in the Government Programme 2025-2029: A Bridge to the Future. A cursory glance at the document will give an idea of the new economic model and new social order we are planning to have in order to shape a new destiny for our country. It is there for everyone who wants to consult, and it has already been scrutinised by my colleagues. It is very concise and limits itself to the essentials; it could not have been better given the precarious state of the economy. M. le président, where do we want to go? Business as usual is no more an option; only fools expect different results by doing more of the same. We are not foolish. The fools have been ‘collected’ – pour reprendre ce que le loudspeaker avait dit, ‘collect this man’ – and taken, as my friend just said, to Mare Chicose, and two months before, the loudspeaker went there to inspect Mare Chicose, and today he is a sirdar, there inspecting these. What we need, M. le président, je vais terminer, is an independent central bank with clear monetary policy objectives and economic imperatives, not the one like under the previous government which was at the mercy of the Minister of Finance. We need diversification, diversification and diversification. This is the way forward. We need the right balance between equity and efficiency. Pay raises are very important, but people must be encouraged to earn their income; they have to be productivity-based. We have to promote productivity and not passivity. To prevent brain-drain, la meritocratie doit primer. We must get rid of nepotism and put the right man in the right place, such as for the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, the Attorney General, and the Governor of the Central Bank, to mention a few. Procurement and tender exercises have to be made more transparent. Use of information technology can be very useful. Education is the key to success. We can say that it is now in safe hands. However, the present system is doing more harm than good. We need a gradual phasing out of the academies in their present form. Either co-education is good or it is bad. We need uniformity for all colleges, not two systems within the same system. While we are in favour of three credits to promote to HSC, we must not kill elitism, which holds our future. We cannot do without discipline, discipline and discipline. Yes, M. le président, fostering a positive environment in schools and creating safe, inclusive, supportive and fair school climates call for maintaining a high level of discipline both inside and outside schools. It has never been so good to be young as it is today. Youngsters never had it so good. Yet, they are making a misuse of the internet, mobile phones and social media. M. le président, je vais terminer…

Yes, please!

On ne peut pas être enceinte à moitié ! Soit on l’est, soit on ne l’est pas ! We cannot stay on the fence; we cannot play safe. We need bold, firm actions against indiscipline and the use of mobile phones on school premises!

Thank you. Okay.

Je vais terminer…

(Interruptions)

Je voudrais faire une petite remarque. During our school days, we were given bread, cheese, milk and dried fruits. Today, our kids are only served a dipin sek. This is food for thought for everyone. I am just asking whether it is not high time to give a full meal only to those in need. If we know it really, if we mean what is inclusion, we want to move from social exclusion to social integration.

Okay. I give you another 30 seconds.

I conclude. I conclude, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Thank you.

So, to conclude…

30 seconds.

So, to conclude, I do not believe in half-full or half-empty glass theories. I believe in either full or empty glasses. The previous government emptied our glasses to the lees. Our government and particularly our Prime Minister has the daunting task of filling them so that the people of this country lead a fulfilling life; I would even say fulfilling days. The purpose of this government, which has been massively supported by the people, is to be a government full of purpose for the people. I would reiterate what my friends said – Let Mauritius be Mauritius again. Long live Mauritius! Thank you.

Thank you, hon. Member. Hon. Narsinghen, you have the floor! (6.30 p.m.) The Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade (Mr H. Narsinghen): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, first of all, I would like to thank the people of Mauritius, especially the voters of No. 13, for their trust and support. At the same time, I would like to thank the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Labour Party, hon. Navin Ramgoolam, for his unwavering trust and the Leaders of the Alliance du Changement, especially hon. Paul Raymond Bérenger but also Mr Richard Duval and Ashok Subron for their team spirit and commitment, and also all the MPs and multiple collaborators who helped us during the electoral campaign. My thanks also go to my family, especially my wife and my late father, who was more passionate than me about politics. All the Members of Parliament supporting this government here have been able to emancipate Mauritius following the unprecedented state capture. So, this evening, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will focus on two important points. One is on democracy and human rights, and the second point, if I have time, is on economic diplomacy. So, at the time, let me remind everybody that a landslide victory of 60-0 places more responsibility and pressure on all the Members. And especially on the two charismatic leaders, historic leaders, the Hon. Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, Prime Minister, and the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Paul Bérenger. As for me, this evening, it is with an unwavering sense of duty – a sense of duty is very important – that I address you today. And in fact, our nation stands at historic crossroads where the echoes of the past – we have to understand the past, as hon. Mohamed said – but also the imperatives of the present and the boundless potential of the future, how all this would merge to forge a transformative destiny. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the people of Mauritius have spoken with clarity and conviction, entrusting this government with an unequivocal mandate to initiate courageous reforms that will shape a prosperous, just and resilient society. When MPs are elected, when people are elected, they should not only think about sticking to power. We have to take bold measures to bring the reforms. After 10 November, the newly elected Members, spearheaded by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and other Ministers, have, in fact, a twist with destiny. Yes, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, a twist with destiny. So, we cannot disappoint the people. It is very important for all the Members present here to remember that we cannot disappoint the people. So, looking at the first 64 days of the new era, we can feel that the people can breathe the fresh air of liberty, and liberty is very important. The presidential address is one of the best. The address reflects what we have in the political manifesto, and this is very important, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that we cannot fool the people. We had a political manifesto, and we have been able to transform what is found in the political manifesto in the presidential address. So, first of all, I would like to briefly comment on parliamentarian democracy. So, what we are seeing today, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the way you are conducting the debate, the way the Speaker has been conducting the debate, is a lesson. We have learnt of the outstanding work done by people, other Speakers like Sir Harilal Vaghjee, Sir Kailash Purryag and so many others, but unfortunately, at one time, from 2014 to 2024, this august Parliament was transformed into a sort of boxing ring, and today, it is really an august National Assembly. Unfortunately, at the same time, the previous regime did not understand that the Constitution is supreme and, once elected, there is a sort of constitutional right to remain an MP, and the Standing Orders, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, cannot prevail over the Constitution. We witnessed the abusive naming of so many MPs, like hon. Paul Bérenger, hon. Ms Joanna Bérenger, hon. Dr. Boolell, hon. Shakeel Mohamed and so many others, and also hon. Patrick Assirvaden. And in fact, our Parliament lived one of its bleakest periods. I hammer on that, one of its bleakest periods in history. So therefore, what I propose is that we must revisit Section 32 of the Constitution but also the Standing Orders of the National Assembly to avoid such abuse which took place from 2014 to 2024. Du jamais vu, such a type of abuse! So, this time, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, and also addressed to Madam Speaker, your benevolent leadership and also characterised by neutrality and impartiality. The composure of both of you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, and Madam Speaker, has given back the prestige to our Parliament. Hopefully, our people will be proud of your speakership, both for you and Madam Speaker. Now, let me just refer to the sort of dictatorship where the previous government took us. For the past decade, our nation has faced significant setbacks in democracy, human rights, governance, and, unfortunately, institutions meant to safeguard justice and equity were weakened, allowing political interference to erode public trust. Transparency was compromised, and the fundamental rights of our people were challenged. The independence of key institutions, including the judiciary – I lay emphasis on this – and regulatory bodies, because it is important to make a clear distinction between regulatory bodies and normal parastatal bodies, were severely undermined, affecting governance and accountability. Citizens faced increasing restrictions on their right to privacy with intrusive surveillance policies, as explained by the Prime Minister this morning. Also, there was possible sniffing which breached the fundamental freedom of our citizens. We cannot forget the attempt to undermine the role of the DPP, and the amendments which were brought to the IBA and the ICTA are still fresh in the minds of the people. The freedom of expressions of citizens was jeopardised, just to mention a few among the multiple breaches of democracy and human rights by the previous regime. Planting of drugs also, we should not forget, was used to quell some Members of the Opposition and members of the civil society. So, let us hope now that the police and the judiciary will shed light; just like in the case of Kistnen, people want justice to be done. We should not forget that rating agencies and international agencies on human rights like V-Dem, Reporters sans frontières, Mo Ibrahim, the State Department of the US, etc., downgraded Mauritius. A paradise island, once a cradle of democracy, became a dictatorship led by Mr Pravind Jugnauth and the MSM. What can we do now to remedy the situation? In his presidential address, the President has proposed to set up a constitutional commission. Here, it is important to understand why it is important to set up a commission because government itself cannot be in a situation of conflict of interest. So, it will be good to have an independent commission with independent experts and possibly with some Members of the House who will form part of that important commission. At the same time, we must not reinvent the wheels, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. In fact, the proposal that came out from the Labour-MMM in 2014 was not bad. In fact, we can polish up to improve it. Other informal groups like the one led by Mr Jack Bizlall, Dr. Milan Meetarbhan, the late Joseph Tsang Mang Kin, Jocelyn Chan Low, Mr Laridon and myself have come up with interesting proposals, and so has Rezistans ek Alternativ. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me now speak briefly about the need to…

You have only one minute.

One minute, okay.

Very briefly!

So, let me speak briefly about the importance of electing a president. A new way of electing a president is very important. We are in the context of a parliamentarian democracy. We are not in a context of a semi-presidential or presidential regime. So, therefore, having a broad electoral college is important because the President cannot be a stooge person of the Executive. So, it is important to allow the President to be elected on the basis of a broad electoral college. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is also important to reform the electoral system. Let me remind our Members that, yes, I have criticised the BLS system, but if we want to reform, we have to know how to subsume the BLS system into the new reform which we are going to propose. Last point, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wanted to comment on human rights and so many other things, but with the constraint of time…

You will have other opportunities!

I just want to mention local democracy. It is important to come up with reforms to amend the Constitution and to make sure that no government can postpone elections. Referring to local democracy, I just want to highlight also that we have to ensure that local democracy means that all constituencies are treated in the same way. Equitable treatment is important because, in a way, I have to say it quite frankly that the South, including Constituencies No. 11, 12, 13 and 14 have been, to coin the phrase of Frantz Fanon, a sort of damnés de la terre, the wretched of the Earth. So, I will make a special appeal to all the ministers and all the parliamentarians to make sure that there is a sort of equitable distribution in terms of infrastructural development for the distribution of jobs and other types of permits, of course, on the basis of merit, on the basis of qualifications and experience. This is very important. My last point, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir…

Of course, you have a last point.

My conclusion…

Your conclusion, yes!

My conclusion is that we have witnessed a sort of Arab Spring – quiet, no violence. So, we cannot betray the people. We have to work and work and work with dedication. This is very important. Also, we have to govern with humility and compassion. Thank you for your attention.

Thank you, hon. Member. Hon. Minister Pentiah, you have 20 minutes! (6.44 p.m.)

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is indeed a singular honour for me to stand before this House today to deliver my first speech in the context of the Government Programme 2025-2029. As an elected Member of the National Assembly for Constituency No. 7, Piton-Rivière du Rempart, following what my hon. friends have said earlier on, the landslide victory of l’Alliance du Changement. This resounding vox populi clearly demonstrates that indeed the voice of God is loud and clear for our country to be governed by a responsible and honest class of politicians. This government shall indeed serve the people of the country in the manner and with the respect it deserves. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me please, at the very outset, congratulate Madam Speaker and yourself, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, for your election as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and reiterate the trust that has been placed upon your capable shoulders to conduct the affairs of this august Assembly with fairness and within the procedures of the Standing Orders. I also wish to very highly acclaim the Leader of the House, our Prime Minister, for his personal achievement as well as his resilience in the face of significant challenges. I have witnessed some personally, displaying – the word I chose, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir – ‘indomptable’ as a lion. But then, again, the computer refused it. It gave me an ‘indomitable spirit’ that has allowed him to continue leading with both strength and vision. His tenacity to persevere during difficult times, which we have all witnessed in the hands of the previous government, and his ability to remain resolute even in the most dire circumstances are an inspiration for us all. Through his leadership, he has shown that with determination and perseverance, even the greatest obstacles can be surmounted. Furthermore, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to join in to also extend my heartfelt gratitude to our valued partners of the Alliance du Changement: the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM) led by hon. Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger, emblématique en son nom, en sa capacité et en ce qu’il a fait pour le pays et sa contribution; the Nouveaux Démocrates; and comrades of Rezistans ek Alternativ for their support of this shared vision. Last but certainly not least, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the people of my Constituency No.7, Piton/Rivière du Rempart, for their trust and confidence in me for believing in my conviction. Their unwavering support is the driving force behind my commitment to serve them with dedication and integrity. I also wish to extend my sincere thanks to my two esteemed colleagues in this journey, whose collaboration and partnership have been invaluable. Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure the progress and wellbeing of our constituency. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Government Programme 2025-2029: ‘A Bridge to the Future’, as presented by His Excellency the President of the Republic, contains all essential ingredients to redress our country, especially after having suffered under the dictatorship of unpatriotic political leaders for over a decade. The measures announced reflect the philosophy along which this elected government is determined to give a renewed dynamism to the way the affairs of our country will be conducted. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I quote – “The rate of criminality of a country is nothing else but an indication of its economy in crisis.” – Fidel Castro. First and foremost, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this government is firmly committed to redressing the economy of our country with clear, sharp, expert economic measures while at the same time ensuring the constitutional powers of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in order to foster effective measures to address issues of criminality. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, drugs are one such major issue. To merely say that the scourge of drugs has reached uncontrollable limits would be an understatement. M. le président, avec le gouvernement précédent, les dealers sont devenus des barons et ont eux aussi bénéficié des promotions. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, what have we not seen? Que Dieu nous protège pour que nous ne voyions plus les barons de drogue voyager en classe affaires aux frais du peuple. Pour que nous ne voyions plus les barons de la drogue prendre le lac sacré en otage et gare aux gens avec la responsabilité ministérielle qui ont saccagé la sainteté du Ganga Talao au vu et au su des dirigeants du pays d’alors. Le bonhomme se tapait l’estomac en se disant que c’était son gouvernement qui avait institué une commission d’enquête sur la drogue et, à la surprise, comme a dit le DPM, et son impératrice et lui-même, les doigts ont été pointés vers lui, son gouvernement, son entourage et surtout son supplier de kamaron et bred songe. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, what have we not seen from tractopelle to gas cylinders and Wakashio with fishmongers travelling in police helicopters while families have suffered, kids have died, and youngsters have derailed while filling custodial centres with victims consuming a panoply of substances supplied by the unscrupulous scourge of drugs walking free? Beware: this government is coming for you! Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, NATReSA, recklessly dismantled by the previous government, will rise from its ashes, and the committee managing the new NATReSA will be carefully chosen by no one else than the Prime Minister himself. The concern of this government is to go to its people suffering from addiction. To cater for them through proper and effective rehabilitation programmes and to ensure effective reinsertion in the bosom of their families and the society. This is the programme of a responsible government. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, while the Police Force will be valued and properly equipped, there will be transparent recruitment, training and promotion procedures, thereby ensuring competence, fairness and confidence in the Police Force, which should get the respect it deserves as it stands to protect our children, our elders, our families, entre autres, and the people of our country. The Police Force will be equipped with modern technologies and a proper legal framework, and the Police and Criminal Evidence Bill is going to be a reality in the hands of this Prime Minister and Leader of this House. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, our country’s progress since independence has long been driven by the indelible contribution of our public officers. The individual and collective contributions have steadily driven us forward on the path towards prosperity and social justice over decades. However, our public service needs to move towards embracing a modern, adaptive leadership style that fosters innovation, collaboration and responsiveness. The needs of the people as per the bold measures announced in the Government Programme which clearly set out unprecedented administrative reforms. We are indeed living in an era of unmatched technological advancements and complex global challenges that have a tremendous impact on everyday facets of our lives. Our public service must evolve to meet the aspirations of our population, which demands round-the-clock, people-centric services, greater transparency, efficiency and accountability. Today we reaffirm our commitment to transforming the public sector into a responsive, transparent and people-centric institution that serves as a bedrock to spearhead the audacious reforms outlined in the Government Programme such that the public service positions itself as a driver of national progress. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, at the heart of this transformation is the Public Sector Reforms Bill which my Ministry will spearhead. This landmark bill reflects the government’s dedication to modernising the public service, fostering good governance and transparency and ensuring accountability at all levels. It is a bold step forward providing a comprehensive framework to guide reform initiatives and lay the foundation for a future-ready public sector. The bill will lay emphasis on regulatory oversight, give legal status to key documents, and introduce mechanisms to ensure statutory compliance with reforms and transformation initiatives. My Ministry will no longer simply make recommendations for changes; it will now have statutory authority to enforce them, ensuring reforms are implemented consistently and effectively across all public institutions. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, under the previous government, led by the MSM, we saw a systematic and systemic pattern of discrimination. Doors to employment and contracts or whatnot were wide open for ‘nou ban’, while for ‘ban la’ the doors remained firmly shut, regardless of their competence or experience. This inequality became even more glaring when those already in employment often, ‘ban la’, were subjected to harassment, victimisation and unfair dismissal. One particularly troubling example from November 2015 was the recruitment of 10 doctors who had close ties with government members. Who knows not the case of Doctor V.J., a PhD holder in Economics with extensive lecturing experience at the MIE, who was unjustly denied a position despite a favourable court verdict! Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is just a few of many instances where merit was sidelined in favour of political favouritism, further eroding the public’s trust in our institutions. It is my duty to also point out that the previous irresponsible government violated all principles of ethics and good governance. M. le président, le gouvernement précédent a osé recruter et donner les promotions que quelques jours avant les writs des élections d’octobre 2024 à pas moins de 426 personnes, qui ont été recrutées dans les services publics ou promues pendant la période clairement indiquée par des circulaires du PSC, LGSC et DFSC que toute décision devait être gelée en ce sens. This can no longer continue. The people have spoken and overtly shown that it demands ‘changement’. This government will respond to the demands of the people. What the people want is simple – a government that listens, a government that acts in the best interest of all its people, and a government with courage, competence and convictions. M. le président, et certainement le peuple, a dit non au petit bonhomme souvent référé à juste titre comme ‘Pinocchio’. The dire need for change is not just a call for new leadership. It is a call for a return to fairness, transparency and equal opportunity which this government has set as its mission statement in its programme as enunciated by His Excellency, the President of our country. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is worth noting that the existing Performance Management System, the PMS as we call it in the public sector, framework will be reviewed and aligned to reflect the new vision of government for an effective and efficient public sector. In line with this philosophy, a more holistic approach towards performance management in the public sector will be adopted where the focus will be on both individual and organisational performance. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, a new training institute will be operational in the days to come to cater for training and capacity and capability building. The institute will provide quality training tailored to the needs and requirements of public officers serving the people of our country. The mot d'ordre at the centre of it – serving the nation. The institute will be a state- of-the-art infrastructure equipped with modern facilities and will evolve and serve as a regional centre of excellence. It will operate with a strategic plan conceived and constituted from experts’ input both from our country and from abroad while linkages are being developed and encouraged with international institutions from India, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, and Rwanda, to name only a few. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, restoring trust in public institutions is one of the greatest challenges we face. Over the years, there has been quasi-complete erosion of trust fuelled by inefficiency, lack of transparency and unequal opportunities. This government, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, is committed to addressing these issues head-on to enable our institutions to function at their optimum. Furthermore, as the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, I am committed to ensuring that these reforms are implemented effectively and that they deliver tangible benefits for both public officers and the people of our country. Let us embrace this opportunity to make a difference. Let us commit to upholding the values of transparency, fairness and integrity in all that we do. Together, we can lay the foundation for a brighter, more prosperous future for our country. As we move forward with confidence, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, let us work together, united in purpose, to transform our civil service into a beacon of trust, innovation and service-centred institution that inspires and meets the aspirations of generations to come. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, long live Mauritius in peace, justice and liberty. I thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Members, Madam Speaker will now take over the Chair. At this stage, Madam Speaker took the Chair.

Thank you. Please be seated. Yes, hon. Mrs Leu-Govind. (9.04 p.m.) The Junior Minister of Arts & Culture (Mrs V. Leu-Govind): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Members, before I begin with my speech, first of all, I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to Madam Speaker and the Deputy Speaker for their nomination. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr the Honourable Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, my leaders – hon. Kushal Lobine and hon. Richard Duval – for the trust they placed in me. This is the stark contrast with what I was made to endure by the leader of PMSD. He had a problem with my background; he had a problem with my accent, but look at the turn of history. That traitor has been dismantled politically and thrown out by Mauritians. And, today, I stand before this august Assembly representing my village, Case Noyale, and I am very proud of my roots. For this, I am grateful to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister who defended me and trusted me. It is both an honour and a privilege to serve under their leadership. I am fully committed to fulfilling my responsibilities with dedication and integrity. I stand before this House today as the elected representative of Constituency No. 14, a constituency that has for long been marginalised, ignored and used as a political pawn by certain individuals who only sought personal gain, but today, after ten years of repression and stagnation, Mauritians have regained control of their country. Today, after ten years of repression and stagnation, the Mauritians have regained control of their country. They have placed their trust in this government and have great expectations from their government. Under the previous administration, Mauritius was left in ruins. However, the Government Programme 2025-2029 is bringing new hope and real solutions to many long- standing issues that have affected our people. Madam Speaker, one of the biggest struggles in my constituency is housing. Too many families are living in poor conditions without access to basic infrastructure. Hon. Mohamed has already announced plans for NSLD housing, and I am confident that these homes will be built with proper facilities, unlike what happened in the past. Madam Speaker, it is deeply shameful and unacceptable that in 2025, families in my constituency are still living without access to basic necessities such as water and electricity. For example, the inhabitants of Coteau Raffin. This is not just an oversight. It is a betrayal of trust. The Leader of the Opposition, hon. Lesjongard, is well aware of this situation, as he was personally involved in helping these families to obtain their plots of land. Yet, when he assumed the position of Minister of Public Utilities, he failed to fulfil the promise made to provide them with access to water and electricity! How can we allow people to be used for political gain? This must stop, Madam Speaker! Our role is to serve the people, not to exploit their vulnerabilities for short-term political advantage. In some areas, children have to walk three to four kilometres just to catch a bus to go to school. This is unacceptable! I sincerely thank hon. Minister Osman Mahomed for acting quickly. Within just 3 months, he provided a temporary solution while a long-term plan was being developed. Yet, it is the same constituency where one man ruled for 40 years, the former king of 14, and even served as the Minister of Transport but did nothing to fix the issues! Healthcare remains a major concern in my constituency. We lack proper healthcare facilities and ambulances in the locality. I want to thank the Hon. Anil Bachoo, who is working tirelessly to improve healthcare services, not only in my constituency but across the island. I am sure he will bring a real solution for these problems. Madam Speaker, for years, the previous government undermined democracy. One of the worst injustices was cancelling municipal elections, taking away the right of citizens to vote for their local representatives. This government is restoring the democracy. As part of the Government Programme 2025-2029, a new law will guarantee that the municipal and district council elections are held on time so that no government can again violate fundamental rights. Yet, hon. Adrien Duval dared to question municipal elections even though he stood by and watched as the previous government destroyed democracy. Worse, councillors of his party are still sitting in municipal councils. Yet, they have been completely silent since the general election. Where is their voice now? Let me be clear. In just a few months, people will have their say, and they will send a strong message through the ballot box. I also want to congratulate the hon. minister Woochit and his Junior Minister, hon. Fawzi Allymun, who are bringing reforms to local government to stop the abuse of the power that was happening before. Under the previous government, civil servants were pressured to either sign the documents or get transferred. Some resisted and they paid a heavy price. I want to publicly thank Madame Bhujohory, my former deputy CEO when I was president at the Black River District Council. She stood by her principles and dared to report Alan Ganoo to the police for organising an illegal concert. Artists were being denied permits to perform at the cost of her job position. Yes, she got transferred for this action. Where is Alan Ganoo today? In the dustbin of history! This is karma! Madam Speaker, I have always fought for the rights of artists. Today, I am honoured and grateful to the hon. Prime Minister and hon. Khushal Lobine for entrusting me with the position of Junior Minister for Arts and Culture. This is a vast and important ministry and I am privileged to work alongside with hon. Mahen Gondeea to restore the dignity of the Ministry of Arts and Culture. Under this government, the Arts and Culture sector is being strengthened like never before. We are removing bureaucratic delays and creating streamlined systems to make it easier for artists to organise events. For the first time, artists will have official recognition allowing them to access funding, social security and professional opportunities, making cultural spaces more accessible, promoting local talent and ensuring that our artistic heritage is preserved and celebrated. I also want to thank the members of the Rezistans ek Alternativ who have been strong supporters for the art and culture sector and continue to stand by this government’s initiatives. This Government is not working in silos. We are collaborating across ministries to bring real impactful changes. I want to thank the Ministry of Agro-Industry, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Tourism, who have been key players in the Île aux Bénitiers project. I extend a special thanks to my colleague, hon. Richard Duval; hon. Ms Joanna Bérenger; and hon. Fabrice David, as well as the President of the Black River District Council and councillors, who have all worked together to assess the situation on the ground and invest in sustainable development to reduce long-term environmental risks. Along with my two esteemed colleagues, hon. Jugurnauth and hon. Babajee, we will continue to press for real solutions in our constituency. Madam Speaker, gone are the days of a government that ignores the struggles of the people. Today, we have a government that listens, acts and delivers results. The Government Programme 2025-2029 is not just a vision. It is a commitment to change. To those who still defend the corrupt, oppressive past, let me remind you, Mauritians remember. They remember the censorship, the erased documents and the injustice they endured. Today, we have a government that truly represents the people. Thank you.

Thank you, hon. Junior Minister! Hon. Dr. Boolell!

Madam Speaker, I beg to move for the adjournment of the debates. The Deputy Prime Minister rose and seconded. Question put and agreed to. Debate adjourned accordingly.