But before he turned on his party, he fired shots at the opposition, namely Lee Mark Chang. He told the Mesop area rep that he can do his part to help the government with the cost of living and inflation by speaking to the Chinese community.
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"The honorable member from Mesop. He was he was telling us that the cost of groceries are high. And, maybe he didn't say this, but I think maybe he thought he meant the cost of food at restaurants are high. Cost of living in general is high. But I would like to request of you. Are you a member of the Belize Chinese Association? I thought you were the president at one time. You are not a member, but you are friendly with them. You are their agent. You speak for them sometimes, you're friendly with them. But you were, So I was right. You were the president. And you're probably still a member. What I'm saying is, if you want to help us as your part of government too never forget that. If you want to help us as a government to reduce the cost of living, then I think the honorable members of the Chinese Association need to sit with us because we as government can do our part. We can put in subsidies we can do whatever. But we need the Chinese Association who monopolizes the grocery and the restaurant industry to help us to reduce the cost by reducing their profits. I would also like to express that maybe the Indian community..."
Lee Mark Chang, Area Rep., Mesop
"Point of order, Mr. Speaker, I remember clearly..."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"That would be a clarification, not a point of order."
House Speaker
"Member, can you make clear your point of clarification?"
Lee Mark Chang, Area Rep., Mesop
"I remember clearly, I remember clearly about two, maybe three years ago, there was some meetings with the Chinese Association, which I was invited to also. Right. No no no no no. They were inquiring and it was an investigation in terms of how the price gouging came about, including the importers, and everybody was involved. But I don't want to get into the details."
Henry Usher, Area Rep., Fort George
"A point of order, Mr. Speaker. Number one, the member from Mesopotamia, did not raise a point of order. If he is seeking clarification, he can do so. But it is up to the member from Cayo South to respond and clarify. But he cannot get up and make a speech now, he's already done yesterday. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
House Speaker
"Member from Cayo South?"
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"I'm not looking for an explanation right now. I'm just giving a recommendation."
Email
Print