As a result of action by the Salaries Review Commission, he also
receives the highest presidential pension of all former heads of
state.
Robinson, who was then president, handed over the reins of power
to Manning on the grounds that Manning and the PNM had “spiritual
and moral” values.
But Hassanali, and his wife Zalayhar, who both served the country
for 60 years in public life have now been forced to live on financial
support from their children.
A close relative told Mirror that Hassanali is only receiving a
small pension since at the time he served as president, his salary
was just about $12,000 a month.
Another source, who asked not to be named, said: “The ‘dog
treatment’ of this outstanding servant of the people reeks
of discrimination -- racial discrimination -- to put it bluntly.
“The Manning administration is notorious today for pursuing
an anti-Indian policy and ex-president Hassanali, a man of and for
people of all races, has fallen victim of the PNM’s ethnic
bias.
“Manning and the PNM should be ashamed of their naked racism
and marginalisation of Indo-Trinidadians,” the source added.
Prior to being sworn in as President of TnT, Hassanali served as
a Magistrate, Senior Magistrate, Senior Crown Counsel in the Attorney
General’s Chambers and Solicitor General.
In l966, he was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Trinidad
and Tobago, and 12 years afterwards, he was made an Appeal Court
Judge, retiring some seven years later.
He was also a member of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission
and a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Commission
in l985. Two years later, he became the second President of the
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago after Sir Ellis Clarke.
Mrs. Hassanali also gave 60 years’ service to a number of
Women’s organisations and non-governmental organisations.
However, a close relative said Hassanali is not bed-ridden and while
he is not suffering from any major aliment, his wife is taking care
of him with the little financial resources they have.
“The president is suffering from a broken heart, grieving
for his country and the judiciary where he spent so many years,”
the relative said.
This was a reference to a move by the government to impeach Chief
Justice Sat Sharma and the recent events to arrest him on a charge
of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
“He always says the nation needs honest men,” the relative
said.
A hallmark of Hassanali’s term of office as president was
that no alcohol was served at President’s House, St. Ann’s,
Port of Spain.
However, another relative said Hassanali’s decision not to
allow alcohol at functions at President’s House was not based
on his Muslim religion but because he was a patron of Alcoholics
Anonymous.
“When he was a magistrate, he used to see what alcohol did
to families and always urged people to stay away from liquor,”
the relative added.
“Today, the most loved couple in TnT is ignored,” the
relative ended.
Only last week, Unit-ed National Congress (UNC) Political Leader
Winston Dookeran, while speaking in Parliament, called on the government
to treat all past presidents equal -- Sir Ellis, Hassanali and Robinson.
Noting that that there has been an unfair difference in terms of
support of the former heads of state, Dookeran, who served in the
NAR government, led by Robinson said: “If we are running a
society in which there shall be equity, it must start from the top.”
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