Newly-appointed People’s National Movement Senator Rohan Sinanan says he decided to take up a permanent appointment in the Senate because he wanted to join the right-thinking citizens who really want to contribute to the future development of the country.
“I think it is time you get up and do what has to be done. I look forward to working with all the senators and ensure that we keep up to the oath we took of serving the citizens of this country,” he said in a brief interview at the 4.30 pm tea break of yesterday’s sitting.
Sinanan, who acted as a temporary senator before, replaced former colleague Hafeez Ali, who resigned last Friday after an online video of a sexually explicit nature surfaced online.
Asked to comment on the possible negative impact of Ali’s resignation on the party, Sinanan said: “At the end of the day life goes on and I guess one has to do what is required.”
He said he spoke with Ali and he was fine.
Asked if he felt the issue could negatively affect the PNM, he said: “No, no, no, the PNM has withstood a lot in the last 60 years and I don’t think this will do anything at all to affect the party.”
He reminded reporters that one of the Government senators appointed as a temporary senator yesterday, Imran Mohammed, was the grandson of a PNM founder, Khamal Mohammed.
Leader of Government Business in the Senate and PNM chairman Franklin Khan also reiterated that they would continue to support Ali.
Speaking during yesterday’s debate on a Government motion to approve the Privileges and Immunities, Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) Order 2016, Khan cautioned citizens against condemning Ali for life after the single transgression.