“The first 100 days in office are probably the easiest of the mandate…

…especially when taking over from such despots”

Interview: Kugan Parapen, Junior Minister – Min of Social Integration,
Social Security and National Solidarity

* ‘This government has been given a clear mandate of change’
‘Change should not limit itself to a change of personnel at the helm of the country but should also include systemic change‘

* ‘The MIC took on the role of a commercial bank and used public funds to spray the corporate cronies with helicopter money’

 * ‘Getting the UK recognise the full sovereignty of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelagos would be a major achievement’

As the Alliance du Changement approaches its first 100 days in office, Junior Minister Kugan Parapen reflects on the transition from opposition to governance, the challenges of systemic reform, and the urgent need for accountability. A long-time advocate for progressive policies and a key figure in Rezistans ek Alternativ (ReA), K. Parapen discusses his party’s role in the coalition government, its push for institutional change, and the pressing issues facing Mauritius — from economic recovery to the Chagos sovereignty dispute. He also cautions against repeating past mistakes and underscores the importance of balancing responsibility with public expectations. Read on:

Mauritius Times: What is it like to transition from campaigning in the opposition — taking strong stances on various issues — to now having to deliver in an official capacity within the government?

Kugan Parapen: When one treads on the political path, the possibility of being in a position of responsibility is always there. My political engagement stems from my belief that I could contribute positively to decision making at the national level. But then again, I think one can never be fully prepared for what comes in one’s way when occupying an official capacity within a government for the first time.

I must confess that the last few months have been the most intense of my life so far. From being officially endorsed as a candidate of the Alliance du Changement in Constituency 1 at the eleventh hour to being sworn in as the Junior Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, I have hardly had the time to reflect on life. But I am taking it one step at a time.

While the transition has felt overwhelming at times, I prefer to remain serene and grateful. Becoming a public policy maker has always been my dream and now that I have been handed an opportunity to make a difference, I intend to seize the opportunity with both hands. Whether I’m any good at it is not for me to say, the population will ultimately decide.

* Have there been moments where the realities of governing forced you to reconsider or adapt the positions you took while in opposition? How do you balance political ideals with the practical constraints of being in government?

I have been a stern critic of previous governments – not out of opportunism but rather out of conviction. Ideological beliefs shape one’s vision of the future, and it is such beliefs that have always guided my appreciation of politics. So far, I do not feel that the realities of governing have impinged on such appreciation.

But I would probably be naive if I said that such situations won’t arise in the future.

My view of things is that this government has been given a clear mandate of change – now change can be interpreted in so many different ways – it can exist along a wide spectrum. There can be a minimalist version of it as well as a maximalist one. I think I am somewhere in the middle when it comes to my expectations for change under this government.

* Rezistans ek Alternativ (ReA), which has long positioned itself as an anti-establishment, progressive party, joined last year the Alliance du Changement, a mainstream political coalition. Before joining the Alliance, what key assurances did the ReA demand and receive on policy areas that will guarantee the fulfillment of its ‘rupture’ agenda?

Yes, we did join the alliance. And it is important to recall the context in which Rezistans ek Alternativ joined this alliance. We were of the view that the previous government had to be ousted, given its horrific performance. We were truly on the brink of dictatorship. History would have been very harsh on us had we positioned ourselves in such a way that had contributed to the re-election of Pravind Jugnauth as Prime Minister of our Republic.

We adopted a pragmatic political positioning, and this has been vindicated – not only by the results of the general elections but also by what has been revealed over the last few weeks regarding the handling of affairs of the former regime. The ‘State of the Economy’ address by the Prime Minister laid bare the economic mismanagement and treacherous falsification of economic realities by the MSM while the “Missie Moustass Leaks”, and recent revelations highlighted the “état de surveillance” reality in which we were living.

That said, Rezistans ek Alternativ also insisted on reaching a political agreement with the Alliance du Changement on programmatic terms. We were of the view that change should not limit itself to a change of personnel at the helm of the country but should also include systemic change. We will remember that the party held numerous rounds of negotiations with the leaders of the Labour Party and Mouvement Militant Mauricien before reaching a final agreement. And, at all times, it was the systemic changes to be adopted that were at the forefront of discussions.

This ultimately led to the signature of an agreement among all parties which formed part of the Alliance du Changement. The salient measures included in this electoral agreement were the need for constitutional reforms, the introduction of the right-to-recall, the inclusion of nature rights in the Constitution, the adoption of progressive policies for the working class (for e.g. the introduction of 40-working hour week), inclusion of socio-economic and cultural rights in the Constitution and a shift towards participative democracy.

* Given ReA’s participation in government, does this signal a long-term shift towards electoral alliances? And what does this move mean for small, left-wing parties in Mauritius?

That is a very pertinent question and a question to which I am unable to provide a clear and definite answer right now.

What we know is that the electoral system of our country is tailored in such a way that it greatly favours electoral alliances. History tells us that bar the election of one Cehl Meeah in 2010, general elections since independence have always returned members of mainstream electoral alliances as MPs to Parliament. And this is unlikely to change unless there is an electoral reform.

The electoral reform has proved elusive so far but given the clear mandate for change given to this new government, including the mandate to come forward with the introduction of a proportional representative system, it would be a major political letdown if we head into the next elections with the electoral system remaining unchanged.

With respect to other left-wing parties, it is not for me to say what Rezistans ek Alternativ’s participation in a government means for them. That would be rather indelicate. What I can say, though, is that upon hearing Babita Thanoo’s maiden speech in Parliament last Tuesday, I am rather satisfied that the voice of the left finally resonates within the august assembly.

* How will you ensure that ReA’s presence in government brings real change and does not become merely symbolic?

Rezistans ek Alternativ is in parliament, Rezistans ek Alternativ is in Cabinet, Rezistans ek Alternativ is at the helm of an important ministry. So, it is within the realm of possibility that Rezistans ek Alternativ can bring real change. But from what we have experienced so far, the party brings more to the table.

Our views and ideas are sought and valued, especially when it comes to democracy, economy, ecology and the working class. Truth be told, I was pleasantly surprised when my proposition for paying the 14th month special allowance over two separate months was unanimously adopted.

* The Alliance du Changement will soon complete its first 100 days in office. How do you assess the government’s performance so far?

The first 100 days in office are probably the easiest of the mandate. Especially when taking over from such despots. In general, I get the impression that people are satisfied with the new government. Many have confessed that they finally feel that they are living in a democratic society where freedom has made a come-back. Freedom is one of those things whose value you truly appreciate only when you no longer have it.

That said, we have a country to save. The magnitude of the challenge is simply enormous. This will ultimately lead to some tough decisions being taken. One such decision was the exclusion of those earning more than MUR 50,000 from the 14th month special allowance. It was quite unpopular as you would expect but it did definitely help in preventing the country from losing its investment grade status. Responsibility over popularity – that is the kind of government I want for my country.

* In your view, what should the government avoid to maintain public trust and fulfil its promises?

As long as the government acts in the sole interest of the people, I trust that the people will support the government. The moment members of this government start putting their interest or the interest of their circles of influence ahead of the interests of the people, the trust is bound to erode. The Mauritian population has made it clear once again that they will not tolerate those who act against their interests.

MPs are representatives of the people and as such, they should stay humble and act to serve their constituents to the best of their abilities. Over the next five years, we should strive to deliver on our promises. The people will ultimately judge us on our commitment to improving their wellbeing.

* Given the public’s strong expectation for accountability regarding the alleged wrongdoings of the previous MSM government, do you believe the current administration is taking the necessary steps to address these concerns effectively and ensure justice is served – at the earliest?

The thirst of the population for justice is fully understandable. The previous government was at the centre of so much wrongdoing and responsible for so much suffering that they need to be held accountable. However, a rush to bring to justice those who are responsible could prove counterproductive. It is better to build solid cases against culprits than to rush flimsy ones to court, only for them to be dismissed.

* Governance, institutional reform, and meritocracy remain key concerns. We’ve seen many of the ‘old guard’ being called back into service, possibly due to a shortage of experienced and competent cadres. What are your thoughts on the government’s approach so far?

In its latest economic report, Moody’s referred to the significant weakening of the country’s institutional governance as one of the main reasons which convinced the rating agency to place the country’s outlook in negative territory. It is thus of paramount importance that the country restores its credibility when it comes to the governance of public institutions.

It would be well received if the government could conjure up a mix of experience and fresh blood to serve the country in important positions. In many cases, we get the impression that groundwork is being laid to build the bridge to the future, that is experienced cadres are being teamed up with promising elements to harness the best of both worlds. Let’s hope this approach is as far-reaching as possible.

* The MIC’s transactions and investigations into alleged wrongdoings risk turning into a never-ending saga throughout this government’s mandate. With confidentiality clauses seemingly protecting the ‘big players’ while the smaller ones are scrutinized for public appeasement, do you think this approach inspires confidence in accountability?

When the MIC was being set up in the immediate aftermath of Covid-19, we had repeatedly said that the government was building an arsenal for economic and political gratification. And we were damn right.

Injecting billions of rupees in some sectors of the economy at that point in time was the right thing to do – however a lot can be said on the terms and conditions which underpinned these injections. The MIC took on the role of a commercial bank and used public funds to spray the corporate cronies with helicopter money. Unfortunately, such favourable terms and conditions do not represent criminal offences but nevertheless remain immoral. Since when did the MSM care about morality?

* The Chagos deal is undeniably a crucial issue — both in terms of Mauritius’ sovereignty claim and its financial implications, especially given the country’s current economic challenges. Are we handling this matter strategically? Or would Lalit’s position, advocating for the closure of the US base, be a more principled stance?

Rezistans ek  Alternativ has always been a proponent of peace in the Indian Ocean. And the continued existence of a US military base on Diego Garcia is obviously a threat to this peace. As Starmer reminded the UK parliament earlier this week, the negotiations between Mauritius and the UK had reached an advanced stage prior to new governments being elected in both jurisdictions. Walking away from these negotiations could have been an option, but it would likely have resulted in Mauritius not regaining its effective sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelagos for many years, if not decades.

World diplomacy is deeply intricate and is swayed by the balance of global power. Had the United Kingdom not alienated its long-standing allies in Europe over its decision to leave the European Union, who knows how the vote over the sovereignty of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago at the United Nations would have turned out. Getting the UK recognise the full sovereignty of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelagos would be a major achievement.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 7 February 2025