Dear Editor,
With regard to your news reports on the ethnic imbalance statement about Nizam Mohammed in Trinidad and his subsequent firing by TT’s President as Police Service Commission Chair, NACTA conducted an opinion poll and found mixed views in support of and against Mohammed. People are divided along race on his statement as well as on the President’s revocation of his appointment.
The survey also showed the government’s approval rating continuing to slip over the last few months while Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and Ministers Jack Warner, Glenn Ramadharsingh, Vasant Bharath, and Dr Roodal Moonilal are still held in high esteem by the population.
The findings of the poll were obtained from interviews with 404 respondents (45% Indians, 36% Africans, 18% Mixed, and 1% Others) reflecting the demographics of the population and it has a 5% margin of error.
Asked if they are satisfied with the performance of the government, 38% said yes (down 3% from February) with 45% saying no (up by 2%) and 17% offering no response.
Many government supporters say they are disappointed with unforced errors committed by the government and its failure to support Nizam over his controversial ethnic imbalance statement.
Asked if they approve of Kamla’s performance as Prime Minister, 59% said yes with 32% disapproving and 9% offering no opinion. Government supporters continue to express faith and confidence in Kamla as P.M saying they do not wish to return to PNM rule while opposition supporters want to replace her with their leader.
Asked if they approve of Dr Keith Rowley’s performance as Opposition Leader, 46% said yes with 38% disapproving and 16% saying they are not sure. Opposition supporters appear pleased with their party with 78% approving of the handling and outcome of the party’s internal elections held last month.
Asked which Minister impresses the most with performance, Jack of Works and Transport Ministry leads with 35%, followed by Glenn of Peoples Ministry with 24%, Vasant of Agriculture with 17%, and Roodal of Housing with 12%.
Other Ministers have very poor scores with respondents saying the P.M. needs to reshuffle her cabinet and drop some of the Ministers.
The findings also show widespread dissatisfaction over the police handling of crime and government supporters are disappointed over the response to the Nizam Mohammed affair (statement about correcting ethnic imbalance in the police force). However, with Nizam being replaced as PSC Chair, the nation feels it is time “to move on” and address more pressing issues such as combating spiraling crime, rising prices, sluggish economy, health concerns, etc.
Asked what is the most important problem facing the country, almost everyone said “crime”. People also complained about the government’s handling of the economy and health related matters especially recent medical blunders in the hospitals.
Asked if they are satisfied with the police handling of crime, only 12% said yes.
Asked if revoked PSC Chair Nizam Mohammed was justified in raising concerns about ethnic imbalance in the police force, 56% said yes with 35% saying no and 9% not offering a response.
Responses are mostly along ethnic lines with Indians supporting Nizam while non-Indians were in opposition. But almost everyone is in agreement that there is ethnic imbalance in the police force although they disagree on how it has happened.
Asked if they support the government’s handling of the Nizam matter, 49% said yes with 35% saying no and 16% offering no response. The irony about the response is traditional PNM supporters back the government on this issue while government supporters are in opposition.
Asked if President Max Richards was justified in revoking Nizam’s appointment, 47% said yes with 39% saying no and 14% offering no response.
Opponents feel the President should have commissioned an inquiry into alleged discrimination and ethnic imbalance as raised by Nizam.
Asked if the nation should move on now that Nizam has been replaced as PSC Chair, 65% said yes with 22% saying no and 13% offering no response. Many government supporters feel Nizam should challenge his dismissal as PSC Chair in court. They feel the President should have allowed him time to get a legal opinion as requested before prematurely sacking him.
Asked if they agree with fired PSC Chair Nizam Mohammed that sections of the media had a racist agenda to hound him out of office, only 21% said yes with mostly Indians backing him.
Asked if presidential decisions should be reviewed in court, 54% said no with 34% saying no and 12% saying they are not sure. Some respondents feel that at times the President makes partisan decisions and challenges should be allowed.
Asked if they agree with former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday that the country has been betrayed by its leaders, only 27% said yes, mostly supporters of the UNC.
Asked if they support calls for President Max Richards to resign or be recalled from office, only 23% said yes, mostly government supporters with many claiming the President is partisan.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
