Dear Editor,
The People’s Protest on August 4, 2026, in Linden, led by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, was a wake-up call. The people turned out; not for spectacle, but because they are fed up. Fed up with the PPP’s hypocrisy, their injustice toward the MV Barima families, and their refusal to let Region 10 elect its own Chairman. I was impressed at how Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo cowered and hid from the people. When a politician hides from his own people, it means his political end is in sight.
Let’s be honest about our 60-year history. It wasn’t perfect. We suppressed democracy between 1968 to 1985 under Burnham. But Desmond Hoyte corrected that error, and history has rightly ranked him as one of our best presidents. The Jagan-Hinds era was too short. Back then under the Jagans, the “C” word (corruption), which was banned from our Parliament by Speaker Manzoor Nadir was alien to our culture. Today, in 2026, corruption is the bedrock of this PPP-led government. Systemic corruption, fueled by the personal greed of PPP politicians is the order of the day.
That old system gave us a first-class education under Burnham. It gave us clean, respectful leaders under the Jagans and Hinds. It gave us a sense of community. Today? All that is being wasted. The old Guyanese system has been replaced by a “get rich quick” mentality that has infected every corner of this country.
I grew up believing that no matter where you were born, you could dream big. Dr. Jagan came from Port Mourant and went to dental school in Chicago. Dr. Rodney grew up poor in West Ruimveldt and earned a first class London education. Today? Poor Guyanese are cast aside. Those doors are shut from them unless they migrate to other lands.
Guyana can still be glorious, but only if our leaders lead. Patriotism is not dressing in colours, risking your life, and trying to plant a flag that refuses to raise-up, on an island in the Essequibo River. Patriotism is creating an environment where hard work is rewarded fairly. Where everyone (rich or poor) has a fighting chance to build a better tomorrow for themselves. That does not exist under President Irfaan Ali in 2026. Only the PPP Minister and their children have a chance to become Guyana’s next billionaires.
That is why my heart opened to Mr. Azruddin Mohamed. Call him what you want. But he has more heart for the people than any living politician today. Thank you Mr. Azruddin for standing with the MV Barima families. Thank you for standing with Region 10.
Our history shows we can correct our mistakes and in our lowest moment someone always comes to our rescue. In 1992 and 2020, good men in the PNC stood up and said: Follow the Constitution, even if it costs us power. Now, we need good men in the PPP to do the same. Let this enormous wealth be shared with all the people, not just the PPP boys and girls lining their pockets.
The Linden protest was a warning. Bad governance must end. I call on all Guyanese to support Mr. Mohamed and multiply these protests, until this PPP Government governs for the people, not for their own self-enrichment.
Yours faithfully,
Surujdai Juglall
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