Faiszer refutes LG allegations, opens up on P’ment absence

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils Faiszer Musthapha rejected all conspiracy theories over his alleged involvement in delaying the country’s local government elections.

He also addressed criticism over his absence from Parliament. Minister Musthapha said he visited Malta to take part in the Commonwealth Local Government Forum and this trip was made with the prior approval of the President and the Cabinet. Joining the Committee Stage debate on Budget 2018, the Minister stressed that he would not sell his honour for political gains.

“An application to host that forum in Sri Lanka in 2019 was presented in Malta. A Cabinet paper was presented, and I have mentioned my visit in it. I went to Malta with the approval of the President and the Cabinet. I neither fled the country nor went for any other personal reasons neglecting my responsibilities. The delimitation Gazette was flawless. I have done my best to do justice for all political parties, including minor parties, with the delimitation process,” said the Minister while explaining his absence from Parliament at a crucial period.

The Minister, rejecting his alleged involvement with the petitioners to delay the elections, said: “I value my legal profession more than being a lawmaker. I have been in this legal profession for the last 20 years. I have carried out my duties as an MP, lawyer and President’s Counsel. There was a case filed against me and an interim order was given. There were allegations that I was a party to this case. Some people have dubbed it the ‘Musthapha vs. Musthapha’ case as the lawyers who helped in that case worked in my father’s chamber at a particular time. Lawyers appear for various purposes.”

“I worked with good intentions. It is not my fault that the LG polls could not be held due to a court order. I am not ready to hamper democracy. But somebody has to suffer for the past sins. Some people, who are looking for billy boys are trying to use me for that purpose. Despite that I always do justice to the country, Parliament and my party,” he added. 

Minister Mustapha, voicing his thoughts on the no-confidence motions filed against him seeking his removal, said: “I am not afraid to go before a people’s court to prove my case as my intentions were clean. Any citizen can go before the court and file a petition. There can be different interpretations of the motives behind a case. We cannot waste time finding such motives. Neither the President nor the SLFP has any involvement with that case. We have a democratic process. If an interim order has been obtained you cannot blame the Legislature or the Executive. We should respect the court and obey its order.” (AH)