A leaked document linked to UAE importation data became the subject of a Private Notice Question on Tuesday. Opposition leader Bernard Georges raised the question in the National Assembly.
Mr Georges asked the government how a newspaper accessed a confidential document from the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC).
He said the importation records were first mentioned during a press conference by President Patrick Herminie. Mr Georges said a newspaper, The People later published the SRC records.
He also asked whether the government would launch an inquiry into the matter.
“Will there be any inquiry that will be done to determine who is guilty in this incident?” he asked.
Finance Minister Pierre Laporte answered the question on behalf of the government. His ministry oversees finance, economic planning, trade and investment. It is also the parent ministry of SRC.
Mr Laporte said it was not his role to ask an independent newspaper where it obtained information.
“As you all know, newspapers do their own investigation to write their own articles,” he said. “They do not owe the government any explanation on the source of their information,” he added.
The minister also referred to the Seychelles Media Commission. He said licensed newspapers fall under the commission’s supervision.
“If that commission considers any newspaper reacts in an inappropriate manner, provisions exist for action,” he said.
Mr Laporte said action could be taken if a newspaper published information obtained illegally. However, he said the Seychelles Media Commission had not reported any wrongdoing.
He also referred to constitutional and legal provisions on access to information.
“Article 28 of our constitution and the Access to Information Act 2018 guarantees legal rights to government information,” he said.
Mr Laporte said the law applies to more than 120 government entities. However, he said he did not know whether the newspaper used that process to obtain the records.
Mr Laporte said he had spoken with SRC. However, the discussion did not concern the newspaper.
“The government published a press release regarding the error caused by SRC,” he said.
He said the issue involved the sending of a Tax Identification Number. Mr Laporte said the matter was investigated. He added that the government later issued a public statement.
Mr Georges later asked whether SRC informed the minister if it released the document to the newspaper. Mr Laporte replied that he had not asked the question.
“You are asking me a question that for me is not relevant and not necessary,” he said.
The exchange later became tense inside the Assembly. Mr Georges said the minister does not decide which questions are relevant.
“I decide what is relevant and what is necessary,” the Leader of the Opposition said. “It is my privilege to ask you that question,” he added. “And it is your obligation to answer my question.”
Other members of the Assembly later intervened during the exchange. However, no new information emerged during the debate.