Isahak Basir

Life

Basir was born in Jacklow, a village near the Pomeroon River in Guyana. He was schooled at the Jacklow Anglican Primary School in his earlier years and later went to a private secondary school in another town. He then returned to Jacklow, where he managed a compound that produced coconut and rice.

Political career While at the Uitvlugt Distillery, Basir met Harripersaud Nokta and C. V. Nunes, members of the People's Progressive Party of Guyana (PPP) who encouraged him to join. Basir did and became an activist for the PPP, travelling across Guyana to rally for the party. remains unknown, and no one has been tried for attempted murder. In January 1977,

Basir’s political career ended in 1991, when a furious Basir threw a glass of water at Speaker Sase Narain and removed the ceremonial mace from its proper place. This resulted in the first-ever expulsion from the National Assembly of Guyana. He also worked as a journalist and as the manager of a 1,500-acre rice land for the Government of Libya.

In 1994, Basir was awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour for his activism.

After Cheddi Jagan's 1997 death, Basir spoke out for Jagan's policies and platforms. In 2001, he urged the PPP to adopt Jagan's theories in a letter.

Basir was a member of the PPP's Central Committee even after his career in politics. In 2002, President and PPP leader Bharrat Jagdeo announced Basir would no longer be a member of the committee. He was denied a pension.

Shortly before his death, Basir was present at a town hall meeting in his region where he informed visitors of the meeting about the use of oil in Guyana.

Basir died on 1 February 2019 of heart failure. His funeral was attended by Donald and Deolatchmee Ramotar, former President and First Lady of Guyana, Moses Nagamootoo, the Prime Minister of Guyana, and Harripersaud Nokta. One Guyanese politician, Devanand Ramdatt, suggested that a museum be named after Basir in his honour.