HGP Nightly News – Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, has issued a formal clarification regarding the official benefits of the Opposition Leader, directly countering claims by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed that he is being denied privileges entitled to him by law.
The dispute arose after Mr. Mohamed, in his first week as Opposition Leader, stated he had not been provided with official state security or a government vehicle, characterizing the absence as political discrimination. Minister Teixeira methodically addressed each point, drawing a legal distinction between the entitlements of a sitting Opposition Leader and those of a former President.
“Mr. Azruddin is not a former president and therefore is not entitled to the things that a former president would be entitled to,” Teixeira stated, referencing the Former President’s Benefits Act. She explained that Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo received certain supports as Opposition Leader due solely to his status as a former head of state, a precedent that does not apply to Mr. Mohamed.
The Minister outlined that the Leader of the Opposition receives the salary, allowances, and entitlements equivalent to a government minister. This includes security at his designated office and his private residence, which is funded by Parliament. However, she clarified that this does not extend to a dedicated personal security detail or an assigned government vehicle.
“As all 71 parliamentarians in the house are entitled to duty free concession… he has no entitlement to a vehicle assigned to him,” Teixeira stated, adding that any additional personal security would be a private expense.
Minister Teixeira also highlighted what she described as a contradiction, noting Mr. Mohamed had previously pledged to refuse a salary if elected. “Mr. Mohamed is receiving his salary,” she said, concluding that the Opposition Leader “seems to have a vision of himself, which is much bigger than what he’s entitled to by law.”
