Roseau, Dominica.
The Government and Opposition yesterday ‘gave unanimous support to the “Money Laundering (Prevention) Amendment Act number 2 of 2013″ which was debated in the Dominica Parliament.
The bill was piloted through the House by Minister of Legal Affairs and Tourism Minister, Ian Douglas, who called it as “a very timely piece of legislation.”
Edison James, Opposition MP for Marigot, who gave his full support to the bill told Parliament his party fully supported the amendment to the act but wanted it fully implemented after it was passed.
James, the fines stated are “huge” and as a result those who are out there listening need to be aware of the “seriousness” of the crime of money laundering.
“The fines for persons found guilty are huge … those who are out there hearing please see the seriousness and that parliament is not just making law in a vacuum. We need to do this thing in unity…we cannot only pass laws, we need to apply them irrespective of white, red, blue. The law must be applied in an equitable manner and we all must be prepared to assist in the scourge of money laundering,” James said.
Attorney General Levi Peter, said the bill as “a significant piece of legislation.
Peters said contrary said that despite what some may say and think, the office of the Attorney General and the Government do not interfere in the criminal justice system and do not “dictate what happens in the court.”
