Madam Speaker, on 31 October 2024, on the night of Diwali, whilst the whole nation was celebrating the victory of light over darkness, the then Government took a totally irrational decision which left the country in a state of dismay and darkness. That decision was taken just a few days before the 2024 general elections. On that very day, the then Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Mr Premode Neerunjun, informed the Officer-in-Charge of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority that following a report from the then Deputy Director General of the National Security Service, Mr Hurrydeo Ramdany, that letter was dated 31 October 2024, that the national security and law and order situation in Mauritius could be jeopardised following the posts and publications and broadcast on social media of alleged telephone conversations of certain political figures from the previous regime and their close associates. According to the then Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service these conversations “allegedly represented a threat to national security of Mauritius” and was likely to seriously destabilise the information as well as the fundamental Constitutional, Economic, Social structures of Mauritius. In order to prevent any breakdown of public safety and public order as well as to maintain law and order in the country, the then Intelligence and Security Coordination Committee had recommended that appropriate and immediate measures be taken. It must be pointed out that the previous Government had completely disregarded the views and advice of the then National Security Adviser from India. The then Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, thus directed the Officer-in-Charge of ICTA to take appropriate action for the curtailing of the social media platform totally until the 11 of

30 November 2024, that is, on the very date of the proclamation of the results of the general elections which they thought they were going to win. Madam Speaker, I wish to remind the House that the leaked information which was broadcast on the social media was extremely damning against the previous regime, especially on the eve of the general elections. Day after day, the recordings garnered widespread attention among the public, which was then in shock and awe at their contents. Consequently, the Board of ICTA, under the chair of Mr Dick Ng Sui Wa, hastily directed all internet service providers to temporarily suspend access to all social media platforms until 11 November 2024 in pursuance of section 18(1)(a) of the Information and Communication Technologies Act of 2001. It is in those circumstances that on 01 November 2024, the whole nation woke up to the shocking news that the then Government had taken the decision to ban social media and reduce internet speed. This unprecedented decision by a regime which was “en nette perte de vitesse,” had been taken without the slightest consideration for people who depended on the internet to do their work, and school children who also followed tutorials on the Internet during the exams period and more importantly without measuring the impact it would have on the economy of the country. They couldn’t care less. The decision was in fact a political ploy hatched at the highest political level to save their skin. They thought they could save their skin against an impending debacle, classic to what happens in certain rogue states and under despots. Madam Speaker, the level of public outcry against this decision through all walks of life was unimaginable. Clearly, the previous regime had pressed its auto-destruction button. You know what they say – “Jupiter rend fou ceux qu’il veut detruire!” In regard to part (b) of the question, Madam Speaker, I am informed that the adverse economic and social impacts of the suspension of the social media platforms have been tremendous and devastating. It has generated considerable economic and social disruptions, including – (i) loss of revenue for businesses that rely on online advertising or digital sales;

31 (ii) disruption of SME operations, particularly those using social media as their primary marketing channel, and (iii) negative impact on businessmen and the BPO sector who are totally dependent on the internet for their work. More importantly, Madam Speaker, the reputational damage inflicted on our country as a place where the rule of law and freedom of expression prevail and a haven for tourism and business, was universally acknowledged. Madam Speaker, I want to reassure the House that my Government will never ever allow any such despicable decision against the nation’s interest and which curtail fundamental liberties. As I have indicated on many occasions, my Government also stands committed to upholding the fundamental right to freedom of expression, while also ensuring that this right is exercised responsibly. Furthermore, I wish to inform the House that the whole matter is still being investigated.

Thank you, hon. Prime Minister! Yes, supplementary!

From what I understand, there will be a full enquiry on all these issues and can the enquiry be even undertaken upon the leaked information and all the posts that they tried to block on the eve of the election? Can we have a full-fledged enquiry on all these issues?

All these posts had been secured, Madam Speaker, and also, there will be a full-fledged enquiry. It has started, but it is going to continue for a while.

Thank you. Yes, hon. Babajee, First Member for Savanne and Black River! PLEASURE CRAFT PPC 7380 OL 10 – DISAPPEARANCE FROM RIU HOTEL – INQUIRY