Not everyone may want to hear this, but the advice by St. Maarten’s Kingdom Council of State member Maria van der Sluis-Plantz to embrace integrity and the rule of law (see related story) is well-taken. While pointing out that “subversive” crimes such as fraud, money-laundering and corruption are a worldwide problem, she correctly acknowledged that “we have to be honest that there are integrity issues in our Caribbean countries.”
It’s important to recognise this, because too often there is a tendency of blaming recent judicial actions against persons allegedly involved in such activities on law enforcement authorities, especially those from the Netherlands. However, the reality is that relatively many suspected irregularities and scandals have surfaced since the Dutch side gained its current autonomous country status per 10-10-10.
Let’s face it, half a dozen Members of Parliament (MPs) have been part of penal investigations. What seemed like half the Immigration Service was also dragged into court at one time or another.
These issues logically raise serious questions about the local “political culture” that has become a “silent business model” and the way representatives are voted into office. Van der Sluis-Plantz spoke of new faces in the public domain demanding change and creating a hopeful “positive mindset.”
Political instability during the past decade, with no fewer than eight elections for normally four-year terms, was mentioned as “not conducive” to achieving ambitions in the area of integrity and good governance. The three Dutch Caribbean countries also face huge social, economic and financial challenges, so they need to juggle their priorities, which “screams for more continuity.”
One thing appears clear: The legal trouble local politicians and high-ranking officials within the public sector have found themselves in was mostly of their own doing.
