MP car privilege on sale!

While it begs a question as to whether such a privilege should at all be provided to MPs, which some have termed as discriminatory and against the norm of social justice, it is pertinent to bring up two issues. One is that of morality and probity of those who represent us in parliament, while the other disconcerting aspect is the apparent unwillingness of the NBR to pursue and take action on the allegations.

It is a bad example that our parliamentarians set for the people they represent, that a high office, of that of the MP, is being used so blatantly for commercial gains. And to see the many newly elected women MPs last year clamouring against a two-year caveat in the rules for duty free import, gave one the impression that the be all and the end all of getting elected to the parliament is to exploit the perks provided by the state. Can we not expect the elected lawmakers to set better examples?

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As for the unwillingness of the NBR to probe the matter because of the fear of a perceived fallout, this may expose a certain helplessness when it comes to dealing with parliamentarians and politicians, but it is unacceptable as it amounts to abdicating a bounden duty entrusted upon the NBR to go into matters of infringement of relevant rules regarding import of duty-free cars.

Since the Anti-corruption Commission deems it appropriate to take cognisance of the allegations and investigate them, NBR should extend all cooperation to the ACC so that the matter is thoroughly probed and action taken on those MPs found guilty of misfeasance.

Violations of rules must be probed without fear or favour. Let us not forget that nobody is above the law, certainly not those that legislate.