the allegations levelled against Mr P.K.J. and Mrs K.J. in relation to the acquisition of immoveable propert…
(No. B/770) Mr R. Jhummun (Second Member for Rivière des Anguilles & Souillac) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the allegations levelled against Mr P.K.J. and Mrs K.J. in relation to the acquisition of immoveable properties at Angus Road, in Vacoas, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of Police, information as to where matters stand regarding the inquiry initiated thereinto, indicating the – (a) names of the witnesses heard in relation thereto, further indicating if late Mr L.G. and Mr P.K.J. have been heard, and (b) if there has been any evidence of attempts to close the inquiry.
Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Financial Crimes Commission that there is an ongoing investigation on the allegations with respect to the acquisition of immovable properties of the former Prime Minister at Angus Road.
23 With regard to part (a) of the question, this inquiry is still going on at the FCC, and therefore, it would not be advisable to give further information on that. But as regards part (b) of the question, the straight answer is yes. The House may wish to recall that in June 2014, the Attorney General’s Office had made a request for Mutual Legal Assistance to the UK authorities on the very subject. This request had been made specifically to trace the money trail in this very matter. However, soon after the MSM-led coalition came to power in December 2014, the then Attorney General, Mr Ravi Yerrigadoo, had, in early 2015, advised the defunct ICAC that the MSM-led government did not wish to pursue the request for Mutual Legal Assistance with the UK authorities.
(Interruptions)
That is plainly, plainly interference in an inquiry. It is deeply troubling, Madam Speaker, that such a crucial avenue of international cooperation was deliberately shut down. This only reinforces the concerns about how politically sensitive matters were handled or rather mishandled in the past 10 years by the former MSM-led government. Instead of supporting the search for the truth, steps were allegedly taken to block investigations. To kill investigations, in fact! We, on the other hand, are committed to institutional integrity, accountability, and the proper functioning of the judicial process.
Yes, your supplementary!
Thank you. But the hon. Prime Minister must acknowledge that the public demands clear and tangible outcomes from such inquiry. Can he give assurance to this House that this will be the case?
I can give the total assurance, 100,000%, that this will be the case. No cover-up. Nobody will be spared. The truth will have to prevail.
(Interruptions)
…bizin met bracelet dan zot lamain!
The hon. Third Member for Port Louis North & Montagne Longue!
24 FORMER COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR A.K.D. – TENURE OF OFFICE – CAR ALLOCATION