Alfred Dawes | Rich people fed up!

“There is a lack of leadership in our politicians. We talk about another election promise, reducing crime so that you can sleep at night with your windows open. Why make comments, you know, just for the sake of running your mouth, if you’re not going to do anything about it? That’s the only thing politicians hear is when you publicise things. When you say things in public. We Jamaicans like to whisper because we think that when you talk and you whisper and you tell them your opinions privately, it means something. It don’t mean nothing!”

At first glance the above seems to be just another scathing criticism of politicians and their inability to follow up with campaign promises to address the growing crime monster. Except this time around, it was coming from one who represents a class that has the ears of the political elite. In a public forum, John Mahfood, president of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), publicly called out the prime minister, the minister of national security, and politicians in general, on their efforts to combat crime. This was a departure from the usual whispering behind closed doors that has been the modus operandi of the business class’ lobbying efforts since time immemorial.

The frustration evident in Mr Mahfood’s speech echoes the sentiments expressed by other members of the business class, who have seen the huge potential of brand Jamaica overshadowed by violent crime and corruption. In 2019, then president of the JMEA, Metry Seaga, bemoaned the massive cost of corruption each year. He estimated that US$738 million or five per cent of GDP was lost to “entrenched” corruption. “The misuse of public office for private gain is blatant. So is the prevalence of corruption in most, if not all, the government institutions. It is evidence that some of the persons who are employed to put an end to corruption have themselves become complicit in the crime. Ladies and gentlemen, the anti-corruption rules are either inadequate, or government agencies are too weak to enforce them,” he remarked.

STATUS QUO

The increasing vocalisation of the frustration felt by members of the private sector is an indicator of a society becoming more and more fed up with the status quo. The poor have long expressed their discontent with “how the system sheg up”. They have for decades felt the brunt of corruption and criminality, as politicians and politically aligned dons have overseen the distribution of guns, scarce benefits and spoils in their communities. The poor have never been able to command the attention of their political representatives outside of the campaign trails. Even then, conversations primarily surrounded their immediate needs of roads and water.

The hierarchy of needs from politicians ranges from the above necessities for the economically vulnerable, to better pay for PAYE workers, especially in the government service, through to economic growth and national development policies for the more economically comfortable. As with any pyramid, those at the top enjoy the most privileges. The senior members of the business groups can secure audience with the Cabinet, across administrations, with an ease that can only be dreamt of by those who are closer to the roads and water massive. Even the political class have to observe the unwritten rule of “now for me, later for you” in relation to spoils and access to the corridors of power.

Crime and corruption

The whispers into the ears of the leadership has often led to changes with respect to how the economy is handled. However, crime and corruption are a different animal. Political parties are inherently dependent on corruption and criminal allies to secure power. The lip service paid by successive governments while in opposition has already been analysed in a previous column I penned titled: ‘The politicians’ dilemma’. However, that the present government is being called out publicly by the business elite is uncharted waters.

It is not merely criticism that is being hurled at the politicians. The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) has partnered with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to create Project STAR, a community-based attempt at crime reduction through social transformation. The programme in essence aims to accomplish what the long-awaited national crime plan is expected to do, produce medium- to long-term reductions in crime, and provide a sustainable alternative to gangs in volatile communities. This approach trumps the beheading-the-Hydra approach of states of emergencies and special task forces within the JCF. With the goal-oriented approach that underpins the corporate culture of private enterprise, rather than the culture of slavish adherence to protocols versus focusing on meaningful outcomes, that bedevils every government department, the PSOJ-led initiative may just be the remedy that is needed.

Whether or not Project STAR succeeds, or other prominent former whisperers join Messrs Seaga and Mahfood in publicly demanding action from our leaders, the die has been cast. It is no longer enough to ignore the cries of fed up poor people who can be bought on election day. It is not enough to ignore the protests of the middle class who object to the sheg up system by staying away from the polls in bigger droves every election. Rich people are fed up. And the last time the rich were fed up to the point of putting aside their differences to combat what was deemed an existential threat, the most popular prime minister Jamaica has ever had saw the end to his dream of democratic socialism in a landslide orchestrated or, at the very least, facilitated by the capitalists.

Dr Alfred Dawes is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and CEO of Windsor Wellness Centre. Follow him on Twitter @dr_aldawes. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and adawes@ilapmedical.com.