PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The founding member of Sacha Cosmetics, Satyakama “Kama” Maharaj was sworn in Wednesday as the Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, bringing to 25, the Cabinet members of the new Trinidad and Tobago government of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar.
Satyakama “Kama” Maharaj, taking the oath of office before President Christine KangalooAt a brief ceremony at the official residence of President Christine Kangaloo, Maharaj took the oath of office, joining his other colleagues who were sworn into office last Saturday, after the United National Congress (UNC) led coalition of interests won 26 seats in the April28 general election.
Also sworn into office, Phillip Edward Alexander, the leader of the Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP), who has been appointed a government senator and made a Minister in the Ministry of Housing,
The PEP was among the small opposition political parties that had joined the UNC to contest the elections.
Meanwhile, Trinibad artiste, Bradlee Dhanaram, with making threats of violence against supporters of the People’s National Movement (PNM), has been placed on a two year bond to keep the peace.
Dhanaram re-appeared before Siparia magistrate, Gloria Jasmath, on Wednesday for sentencing after pleading guilty on April 17 to the charge of making statements to influence public opinion in a manner likely to be prejudicial to public safety.
He was charged by under Regulation 12(a) of the Emergency Powers Regulations, in accordance with Legal Notice No 240 issued under the State of Emergency (SoE) that was declared on December 30 last year.
Thre 35-year-old Dhanaram, also known as Yung Sai Don, had appeared in a widely circulated video in which he called on viewers to “tie strap” to prevent PNM supporters from voting in the April 28 general election.
His attorney, Frank Gittens, said that his client has since apologised in another social media video.
The magistrate placed Dhanaram on a TT$5,000 (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years.
