Opposition MP Dr. Rai Ragbir says his decision to support government’s Whistleblower Legislation in the House of Representatives on Friday was testament to his commitment of “putting country first”. 

There were visible faces of shock on the Opposition bench when Dr. Ragbir cast his vote in the Lower House yesterday, while members on the government’s side thumped their desks in approval. 

The UNC MP is one of five dissidents who recently went up against the Star Team backed by leader Kamla Persad Bissessar in the party’s internal election on June 15th. 

“Simply voting party lines on this piece of legislation troubled me greatly in particular because as MP for Cumuto/ Manzanilla, I have received numerous complaints about the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, but unfortunately when I told persons to take their complaints to the police, they were afraid of victimization, reprisals and losing their jobs in the Corporation. I therefore voted to give these persons and other constituents a chance to bring their complaints forward without fear and in the interest of Trinidad and Tobago,” Dr. Ragbir said in a statement following the vote. 

“Far too often important pieces of legislation are brought to MPs without any research, consultation with constituents/ stakeholders or discussion among parliamentary colleagues,” he added. 

The Cumuto/Manzanilla MP further stated, “I understand that some of my colleagues will be disappointed in my decision today, however, I must point out that no caucus was ever held in relation to discussing this important piece of legislation, nor were my views solicited from the Chief Whip or the Leader of the Opposition. This has unfortunately become the norm in the Opposition when important pieces of legislation are being considered and demonstrates, in my view, negligence on the part of the opposition.”