The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams has called on members of Parliament to refrain from partaking in political jabs and misleading statements for political gain over the weekend. In a reaction to an article published in the local print media on Saturday in which Member of Parliament George Pantophlet alleges that Parliament never received clarification from Prime Minister Wescot-Williams, the PM highlighted that serious issues should not be politicized in the run-up to the August elections; “I will continue to express my disappointment in those MP’s who deliberately mislead the people with their insinuations and political jabs when dealing with serious issues.”
MP Pantophlet alleged that the PM did not send clarification regarding questions related to the passport issue, while a clarification letter was sent to Parliament dated the 14th of April 2014. The Prime Minister also highlighted that all matters pertaining to the issue is regulated by law as is clearly mentioned in the letter addressed to Parliament; “The matter at hand is regulated by law. A law of country St. Maarten!” emphasized Prime Minister Wescot-Williams.
In the letter the Prime Minister answered eight questions posed by Parliament, giving elucidation on the Civil Registry having the responsibility of providing accurate information in compliance with the applicable articles; the cleaning up of the Civil Registry database; the necessity to amend the law with regards to St. Maarten students living in the Netherlands voting during elections; the screening of passport applications by the Governor’s Cabinet since 10-10-10; the presentation of Birth Certificates; the regulation as it applies to persons born in the Former Netherlands Antilles, Aruba; and the Netherlands and the revoking of passports due to existing issues.
The Prime Minister highlighted that Members of Parliament have the right to initiate changes in the law in order to reflect the needs of the people of St. Maarten and that politicizing important issues amounts to political jabbing; “MPs have the right to initiate changes they deem beneficial to the people of St. Maarten. However, rather than initiate a discussion of this nature on amongst other things changing the law with government, cheap political jabs are thrown left and right. These I will deal with in a political context as well.
“Some politicians have an ax to grind with a particular department, civil servant or individual, others just the opposite. Too often questions to the responsible Minister reflect exactly these patterns. As political lists are being prepared this is becoming more and more evident.
“The final responsibility for the management of the Civil Registry lies with the Minister of General Affairs. And in that capacity I can always review and question the relevant Department as to the implementation of the law. With the many questions in the community regarding procedures at the Census Office it is my responsibility to investigate and evaluate. But also to educate. I do so in collaboration with the management and other stakeholders.
“By the way, let it also be known that with respect to the meeting requested by Parliament on the Telem/UTS merger proposal, the Parliament was presented with the answers to the more than 100 questions on Thursday, June 12th. In its wisdom, Parliament has postponed the continuation of this meeting until Monday.”
The PM concluded by stating “more on this topic and the topic of the position of Government as shareholder of Government companies will follow.”