By Alex Rosaria
Nearly 20 years ago, I made proposals to change the way the opening of Parliament is conducted. No one listened. This often happens when you are ahead of others. This is a translation of an earlier version in Papiamentu dated September 15, 2024.
Every year, the same show is repeated in Punda. The polished car of the Governor arrives at the Town Hall, H.E. the Governor steps out, crosses a patch of asphalt that glimmers a bit extra due to dirty engine oil, climbs the stairs, and delivers a speech for the opening of the parliamentary year. And as usual, the vast majority takes no notice. If it weren't for the fact that Punda was closed off early in the morning, even fewer people would know that “something” was happening there.
This year’s speech was, as usual, a “disjointed official story” stitched together from 9 ministries. It covered the same promises from the Government Program, such as: repairing roads, boosting the economy, reducing crime, and optimizing education and culture (while science, which is part of the same ministry, remains overlooked once again). Realizing that the expiration date of the speech is May 2025, when a new constellation will take over, there were almost no references to long-term ambitions.
As a minister (2005), I had the courage to propose some changes: either clean the asphalt where H.E. the Governor has to walk, or lay down a carpet. Hold the opening of the States not in the morning, but during “prime time” (8:00pm) to reach the public as much as possible, and encourage TV/radio stations to have panels of experts before and after the speech. I also suggested including a long-term ambition in the speech.
How was this received? The Prime Minister said to me, “How dare you, Rosario?” (My last name is Rosaria.)
So, I, along with a handful of people, will have to wait for a demographic approach to address an ever-shrinking population and a labor shortage. Will there be coordination to ensure that our monetary union works? Will there be a vision for the energy transition, climate change, and our democratic system, which increasingly disappoints people? What is our position regarding the efforts of others to make our country an UPG? And on the same note: why is there no referendum law as outlined in Article 60 of the Constitution?
Above all, we still owe an answer to the question of what kind of Curaçao we want and what kind of citizen is needed to build this.
Don’t worry if you didn’t see the film this time. It will be replayed next year.
~ Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia and the Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He is from Curaçao and has an MBA from University of Iowa (USA). ~
Dear Editor,
English is a very intricate language. But, the little bit of knowledge that I have, I will fuse it with my little bit of common sense, in order to convey my message. For the past two consecutive elections, there is this growing manipulation of information that has led to an ethical failure in the House of Parliament. Some MPs create their own world and live in that bubble until it explodes. Today, I will feature one of such MPs.
I’m not sure why, but MP Ludmila de Weever is one of those politicians that I like a lot. Nevertheless, her run for political office seemed so undefined. No matter how much she proclaims that her real motive is to serve the people, this declaration appears to be contradictory, because the reality in parliament is quite the opposite.
If I go back to January 11, 2024 elections, the Ministry of Finance was offered to PFP, during the initial negotiations. This confirmation came from the MP herself. However, MP Ludmila de Weever refused the offer and decided to maintain her seat in parliament, instead. As a result, the Ministry of Finance went to DP, eventually.
Then, for the August 19, 2024 elections, she was offered the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports. Yet, she rejected the offer once more. Her lame excuse is that she prefers a ministry where she can better utilize her strengths. It is important to note that the Ministry of VROMI [Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure – Ed.] was the other option, but not an available choice, because Minister Patrice Gumbs decided that he will not relinquish his position.
Besides, MP Melissa Gumbs, the party leader, made it clear that she believes in continuity, so Minister Patrice Gumbs will keep his status. Rumor has it that there was this Mexican standoff. Finally, MP Melissa Gumbs decided to take up the Ministry of ECYS herself, while MP Ludmila de Weever, settled for her seat in parliament once more.
What is mind-boggling is that, in the 2020 elections MP De Weever was appointed as the TEATT [Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication] Minister within the UP party. Halfway through, she was either forced out or quit the position voluntarily, to take up her seat in parliament. Let’s analyze this situation. In January this year, she was offered Minister of Finance and she denied the offer. In August, she was given the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, and she refused.
So, MP Ludmila de Weever, tell us the truth once and for all. What are your strengths in running the VROMI Ministry? If your strength is in Finance, and you declined to accept the position as minister in January, but determined to go after VROMI in August, a ministry that does not complement your educational background, who are you trying to fool?
Definitely, you are not in parliament to represent the people. You are on a contract to represent a privileged group, who is dictating your decisions in parliament. Tell us the truth, MP Ludmila de Weever. How do you sleep at nights, when you tell the population one thing, but your mind wrestles with this lie? Look at your demeanor in parliament. It is plain to see that there is no interaction with you and your party leader. Why is that?
Someone who speaks the truth does not go against her party policies because a member of the elite group decides this is what he wants. Rumor has it that he pushed your party leader because she removed your single poster from a specific location during the campaign, when you all agreed as a team that all of you would be featured together. Do you remember that agreement that you signed? So, are you the real MP Ludmila de Weever, or you are an impostor?
You bragged about your 690 votes. But, are they legitimate votes? All during the election campaign, there were three names that dominated almost every conversation, with regard to vote buying. But, because the prosecutors’ office is manned with all of the rejects from Holland, this is why certain characters were allowed to be in parliament, and are still being present today. I didn’t call your name. I will let you wrestle with your conscience.
MP De Weever, sorry to say, this is your last successful run. Right now, you are considered the weak link in parliament, and if you are not careful, you will end up just like those who lived in the bubble, until it was shattered.
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
Grass roots – small hoteliers are feeling the strain more than ever on the current effects on power outages these past days. The hospitality industry, particularly smaller establishments, is grappling with the harsh realities of the current inconsistent power supply which can diminish guest experiences and threaten business sustainability.
Power outages not only affect essential services such as air conditioning, Internet, lights, telephone and security systems but also significantly impact the overall perception of hotels by their guests. Visitors seeking relaxation and enjoyment are often discouraged by the prospect of being “stuck in the dark” during their holidays.
The small hotel experience should be a comforting escape, but constant disruptions create uncertainty for our guests. The ambiance, comfort, and safety are compromised, leading visitors to reconsider their choice of accommodation.
Our hotels are our backbone, and without reliable power, we face the crippling challenge of not only losing income but also damaging our SMSPA member’s reputation. In addition to the immediate discomfort for guests, these outages lead to additional operational costs. While backup generators may provide temporary relief, the mounting utility bills add further strain on already limited resources, pushing small hoteliers to the brink of financial distress in the future.
The ripple effects of this crisis are felt throughout the public and private sectors, as the hospitality sector plays a crucial role in local economies. Tourists deterred by fears of power interruptions may opt for destinations with more reliable infrastructures, leaving small hotels struggling to attract visitors and maintain their core services.
Immediate action is required from policymakers and our utility provider to address the national power supply crisis. We urge stakeholders to prioritize solutions that will enhance the stability of our power grid, ensuring that small hoteliers and businesses can thrive and continue to provide exceptional experiences for visitors.
As the situation evolves, the Small Properties Association SMSPA remains committed to supporting its members, guests and stakeholders while actively seeking innovative ways to maintain service excellence.
Paulina Lake
President, Small Properties Association SMSPA
Dear Editor,
Too often, whenever a professional is being recruited to execute a specific task, he or she is confronted with a barrage of negative feedback that does not validate these protestors’ perspective. Case in point: Attorney Nathalie Tackling, the proposed successor to Justice Minister Lyndon Lewis, is being criticized unfairly. What do bias remarks such as, “not from here” and “skin colour” have to do with her ability to do the job?
This is the type of juvenile commentaries that have deterred highly qualified persons from entering politics, and contribute significantly, to the development and prosperity of the country. Although many persons do not fall in this category, this mentality reflects a very naive and a low-informed population.
It would have been a more equitable approach if these objectors had taken the time to analyze and understand the reasoning behind the choice, rather than to have an impulsive reaction towards the nomination. In the absence of diagnostic viewpoint, in all areas of life, the end result is to continuously reproduce this cycle of stagnation.
So, my message to Attorney Nathalie Tackling is, do not ignore the negative remarks. Evaluate them, because this will give you a wider perspective of how the population looks at certain situations. When you understand your population, you will act accordingly, because in essence, they are expressing their true feelings.
Remember that this job is being offered to you as an opportunity to serve the public on a broader scope, and in a way that would enhance their lives. So, use your educational background as the compass to guide your decisions, and supplement your vision with a team of experts, who will propel you towards achieving that mission.
You don’t have to agree with any of my suggestions. But, everyone knows (I have written about it several times) that Attorney Roland Duncan is my all-time favorite Minister of Justice. To understand the dynamics of the justice chain, I highly recommend that you sit with him to get a comprehensive view of the ministry. He can take you back to the days of the Antilles, and fast-forward to his experience as the first Minister of Justice in our new constitutional status.
He will share with you unsparingly the challenges that you will face in reference to the different divisions within the ministry. What would be a topic of interest to delve into is the Justice Academy that he initiated during his tenure. If you can revive this vital initiative that has been dormant for years, this would be a step in the right direction, because it involved not just the police, but the VKS as well, who play an important role at the prison and at different events.
Conversely, watch out for those who extend their hand, but have ill-intent. A person who feels that he is entitled to this position, based on the amount of votes that he received, cannot give you good advice. First of all, who says that the votes are legitimate? Second, he sees you as his competition and definitely, this change does not sit well with him. So, if he does not have the dignity to let go peacefully, this is a sign that has already defined his character – a trait of resentment and entitlement.
Moreover, he is an extremely spiteful and a very cocky individual. Pay attention to the way he handles certain situations. A person who gets a kick out of firing his subordinates because he has the power to do so, cannot give you valuable advice. A person who brags about helping others cannot give you useful advice either.
When something is done from the heart, there are no strings attached. In fact, the recipients are usually the ones who advertise the act, and not the donor. This is why in a recent article I mentioned that people who say that they have integrity are the ones without this vital quality. Attorney Nathalie Tackling, there is so much that I can say to you, but this is not the medium to disclose that kind of information.
However, as you proceed in your preparation to become the next Justice Minister, I trust that you will keep the topic of this article in mind, and be the best version of a patriot – one who was chosen to serve her community and is committed to do so, openly and selflessly.
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
Sexual assault on minors is the ultimate evil that any human being can commit. Unfortunately, our children are forever being hunted down by these brutal pedophiles (male and female), who continue to veil their conduct, simply because the community does not pay keen attention to what they say and do. Hence, in order to reduce this vicious attack on the innocent, this society must go back to the place where we were once the protector of all children.
It is quite alarming that the children of this country are almost left on their own to protect themselves. Why? Simply because the mechanisms to keep them safe are either too fragmented or basically non-existent. So, as a people, we would have to hold the Justice Ministry accountable, for this continuous lapse in prolonging the suffering of our children.
I know that this is not an easy nor a pleasant subject to address, but we as adults are responsible for the welfare of all children. It is a fact that the denial of the act always overshadows the reality, but we would have to garner the strength and become more vigilant, if we expect the future of this country to be governed by healthy minds. So, I am hoping that the community will commit to this sincere plea.
Women seem to be more sensitive to the issues that affect the lives of children. Therefore, I am kindly requesting that the incoming Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling take a comprehensive view of the effects of child molestation, and incorporate this analysis within her 100 days of orientation. Chairlady, I’m letting you know from now, that this would be my area of concern and my contention with you, if this issue is being ignored.
Just to give you a little background on this topic. In 2013, I visited a friend of mine. Due to my extremely curious and perceptive nature, I detected a very peculiar interaction between an adult and his 3-year-old stepdaughter, when he came to pick her up. Disturbed by my suspicion, which turned out to be accurate, I decided to do something about this very unfortunate situation.
At first, I had no idea what to say or how to bring across my message. All I knew is that I had to help the child. So, I did a bit of research on the subject. Then, I began writing about this horrible situation, with the hope that the community would be more aware of this plague that is destroying the lives of our children, and their families. For months, I submitted an article every week, pertaining to this specific subject.
The first article generated so many reviews. Then, friends of mine started sharing lots of incidents about their family members. I was surprised! But they encouraged me to write, because the information was like therapy for them and they also gained a lot of knowledge. Even now, I’ve been asked, why I am not writing about this topic anymore.
I believe that the manner in which this matter is being dealt with is not doing justice to all of the victims, who are affected directly. I am not completely aware of the intricacies of the laws that surround sexual abuse of minors, and so there are times when I became furious after a verdict was being rendered, because it appeared that no justice was done to these wounded individuals.
Not to labour the content of this article, my earnest desire is for your ministry to take the lead in bringing more awareness to the public, with regard to the laws. In addition, to establish a serious collaboration with all sectors that fall directly under your ministry.
I’m not asking for you to micromanage any of the divisions. But if you can establish a system that would keep your supporting team in the loop all the time, it will keep you abreast of current situations that may warrant your immediate attention.
Not only that, this constant flow of information would be the catalyst to amend some outdated laws or even to introduce new regulations, that would create a more equitable outcome for the injured.
Joslyn Morton
