Faiszer explains reasons for decision to quit State ministerial portfolio

Wednesday, 4 March 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former Minister of Aviation Faiszer Mustapha By Inshira Shainaz Former Minister of Aviation Faiszer Mustapha yesterday (2) stated that the environment created by the Government was not conducive enough for him to continue in his duties as Minister of Aviation. “When I took over the Ministry of Civil Aviation, there was no Cabinet Minister above me. The general understanding was that the subject was gazetted under a State Ministry. However, after a week’s time Arjuna Ranatunga’s Ministry was gazetted. First he was the Minister of Ports and Shipping and then the Aviation Ministry was also gazetted under him,” recalled Musthapha. Musthapha said he had summoned all the institutions and prepared a vision and mission statement before Arjuna Ranatunga’s Ministry was gazetted and he only became aware that the Aviation Ministry too had been gazetted under Ranatunga after reading the newspapers. “I thought there would be conflicts and confrontation, hence the best thing was to resign, but I still support the new Government. I thought to help the Government by being a Member of Parliament and to serve the Government for the betterment of the country with my legal knowledge and practice,” Musthapha added. He highlighted there would have been confrontation between him and the Cabinet Minister unless there were special functions gazetted under a State minister. Musthapha said he had no ill-will against Minister Ranatunga since he was a long-time friend and they were Deputy Ministers under the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga Government. “I knew it was not a conducive environment to work in and there is no space to work for two people. Moreover, it will waste my time,” Musthapha added. Commenting on the statement ‘cry babies wipe their tears and get back to class’ in an article by Nishthar Idroos that appeared in the Weekend FT last Saturday, Musthapha said: “The article needs verification. I went to Singapore for a personal issue and also I have never gone abroad on State funds. I think it’s a fundamental right to go abroad unless they spend State funds. Everybody leaves the country for specific reasons or personal trips, so before commenting about me going abroad they should verify,” Musthapha added.