00:00Prime Minister Kamala Prasad-Bissasa is weighing in on the growing public debate surrounding the DPP's instruction to charge Kaia
00:08Seeley with manslaughter following the police-involved shooting death of Joshua Samaru, her common-law husband.
00:16Responding to questions from the Express newspaper about criticism in some quarters and what she described as the matter being
00:23tried in the court of public opinion, the Prime Minister referenced two quotations.
00:29She said, quote, the most evil among us always expect the rest of us to live by morals that they
00:36don't possess themselves, end quote.
00:39She also quoted, people sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence
00:46on their behalf, end quote.
00:48The Prime Minister did not elaborate further on the active matter but shifted focus to government's broader legislative agenda following
00:57the prorogation of Parliament on Friday.
00:59Asked whether she was satisfied with the achievements of the first session of the 13th Republican Parliament, Prasad-Bissasa said
01:07government performed well, though there is always room for improvement.
01:11The second session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on June 5th.
01:15Among the measures expected to come before Parliament are legislation to create the post of Judiciary Chancellor, amendments to the
01:24firearms laws, and proposals to increase the legal age for alcohol consumption, marijuana use, and gambling.
01:31The Prime Minister also announced plans to adjust legislation governing gated communities and approvals for private homes through local government
01:40bodies.
01:41She said, quote, we want to focus on legislation to make people's lives easier and increase efficiency and convenience, end
01:49quote.
01:49On the issue of school violence, Prasad-Bissasa said government plans to expand the Police in Schools initiative.
01:55She added, quote, any school principal that doesn't want it is free to say so, end quote.
02:02The Prime Minister also revealed plans for parental responsibility legislation and parental patrols in schools aimed at reducing youth misbehavior.
02:12Meanwhile, responding to concerns raised by the opposition PNM over last Friday's parliamentary walkout, Prasad-Bissasa dismissed claims that government
02:22was silencing opposition voices.
02:24She said, quote, if the PNM's MPs are concerned about democracy, they should spend more time in the Parliament chamber
02:30debating and less time in the Parliament tea room eating, end quote.
02:35You can read the full details from journalist Anna Ramdas in tomorrow's Express newspaper.
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