President of Parliament Pedro Atacho told this week that Jacoba would present her proposal to the Central Committee on Wednesday. "Our Penal Code is outdated," he said.

The Minister's proposal includes modification of the manner of punishments and the length of punishment in respect to the crime. The modified juvenile system, alternative punishment and the treatment of drug addicts were also part of the law proposal.

The Netherlands Antilles' international commitment to fight terrorism is also included in the proposal for updating the Penal Code.

Parliament will also deal with the final accounts of the Antilles from 1965 to 2005. In accordance with the constitution, every year Parliament is supposed to approve a final financial report based on the Annual Accounts submitted by the Central Government.

"Governments of the past decades have refrained from (adhering to) the stipulation on the final account. The Minister of Finance Ersilia de Lannooy has committed to complying with the procedures as set out in the constitution," particularly considering the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles, Atacho said.

The Annual Accounts for 2006 and 2009 are being perused by the National Audit Chamber.

Parliament turns its attention to the Bonaire situation and the quest of the opposition there for a referendum on the ongoing constitutional changes in the Antilles, in a public meeting Thursday at 9:00am.

Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage and Constitutional Affairs Minister Roland Duncan have been summoned to Parliament for the meeting, which was requested by independent Member of Parliament Anthony Nicholas (Democratic Party-Bonaire), and Forsa Kòrsou and MAN of Curaçao.

25 February 2010