AFTER boasting to a crowd of several hundred on Gordon Square, oops! Freedom Square, the previous Sunday that he was against salary increases for himself and other MNAs, and that he had been lied to last December when he assented to the bill, Ramkalawan remained silent two days later when supplementary estimates were presented.
This was done briefly by Leader of Government Business Marie-Louise Potter, who said the revised budget would cover five areas of expenditure, including salary increases for MNAs.
Ramkalawan, as Leader of the Opposition, chose not to reply. That was strange on the part of a usually talkative man, who loves to talk about democracy and freedom of expression. The ploy he had worked out was refuse to answer, get his colleagues to do likewise and nothing more would be said - and the people out there would be none the wiser.
However, it quickly became crystal clear that Ramkalawan had bargained more than he can chew. Ms Potter clearly intended to take him to task for his remarks on Freedom Square. An attempt by her to refer to the remarks was halted by Speaker Patrick Herminie pursuant of the Assembly's Standing Orders.
But she was allowed to comment on the issue of MP salaries.
According to the Leader of Government Business, the issue was raised by Ramkalawan as part of the “dialogue” with President Michel. Three consecutive meetings were held last year at fortnightly intervals. But nothing tangible came out - except the salary increases.
Ms Potter said she was consulted along with the Finance Minister, Mr Danny Faure. According to her, an offer of R11,700 was made by SPPF. No mention was made of the fat salaries such as hers and that of the Opposition leader. This was deemed too low by Ramkalawan.
He asked for an additional R2,000 and surprisingly his wishes were unwittingly granted by the SPPF to placate him. It included fat end of year and end of term gratuities and pensions. Ramkalawan's salary shot up from R19,000 per month to R28,000. When gratuities and pensions are added, they total R49,000 per month. Most people, even the rich in business, can only dream of such mind-boggling salaries.
Readers will recall how this was gleefully accepted by MNAs from both sides in December 2007. Ramkalawan ridiculously suggested that he was glad he had lost the elections as he could now sleep peacefully
(See accompanying article on that issue entitled: Wavel's big bluff on the supplementary budget).
AFTER joyfully voting a massive salary increase for himself and his fellow MNAs, which they passed “en bloc” with the SPPF last December, SNP leader Wavel Ramkalawan has changed tack, and, at a Freedom Square public meeting, surprisingly announced he is against the supplementary estimates, providing the funds.
The supplementary estimates were for R68 million, of which an estimated R25 million was destined to cover additional expenditure which the salaries, end of year and end of term gratuities, which the SPPF and SNP MNAs voted themselves.
In Wavel's case, that was R28,000 from R 19,000. For other MNAs that is R13,000 from R8,000.
But if one takes into consideration, the two gratuities, this totals at R49,000 per month for Wavel and nearly R23,000 for other MNAs.
Now Wavel screams that a meagre R700 provided for in the supplementary estimates will be turned down and the money put into a special fund.
An issue of Regar late last year welcomed the salary increases and said some of the money would be used by the MNAs to help assist constituents in need. Now, Wavel says the R700 and R1,400 from himself will be used for that purpose. Really, we no longer know what to believe.
Speaking in favour of the revised emoluments for himself and other constitutional appointees in December, Wavel Ramkalawan had used all manners of justification.
That was when he was recorded as saying that he did not mind losing elections, as he can now sleep peacefully, dreaming of the money he has made and the tons of money he will make soon.
In the meantime, Ramkalawan lamented that his new found friend, President has a great burden to shoulder. Seconds later, the man who claimed he enjoyed good sleep, claimed that he had never watched his eldest son grow up.
He was backed by Leader of Government Business, Marie-Louis Potter who also went on about the sacrifices of being a politician.
She recalled a statement of former President Rene that he would have been richer practicing as a lawyer had he not entered politics. Seychellois lawyers , including those at the AG's office must have laughed their hearts out at this ridiculous statement.