Tromp accuses MFK ministers

May 26, 2011 4:05 PM

Central Bank director Emsley Tromp made some strong allegations against members of the Schotte cabinet, in the latest chapter of what appears to have become an all-out war in Curaçao.

Tromp has meanwhile instructed his attorney to file complaints with the Prosecutor's Office.

The head of the joint Central Bank of Curaçao apparently made his remarks in a meeting with Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte (MFK) and also afterwards. He said Finance Minister George "Jorge" Jamaloodin had pressured Girobank to hire his money transport company in order to become government's "house" commercial banker.

Tromp also claimed that Schotte was making payments with cheques from Vanddis gas station and that Economic Development Minister Nasser El Hakim (MFK) was asking for a piece of land in exchange for issuing a tax holiday.

The Central Bank director discussed his strong criticism of the MFK/PS/MAN government as well as his role in obtaining a commercial loan for two local businesses with Schotte. Tromp said the prime minister had mentioned several times that he was now confronted with a situation for which a solution had to be found.

It was then that Tromp made the accusations and announced that it was his duty to report unlawful acts to the prosecution. That was reason for Schotte to call Jamaloodin into the meeting.

Tromp said he protested when Schotte had wanted to present the Finance Minister with his own version of what the Central Bank director had just said. He later spoke of "falsification."

Schotte refused to allow Tromp to tell Jamaloodin what he had said before, himself. After that, the Central Bank director walked out, because he believed words were being put into his mouth, even though Schotte followed him into the hall and loudly ordered him to stay.

During the meeting, Tromp refused to step down. He instead demanded a thorough investigation into insinuations that he had played a dubious role in acquiring a loan from a commercial bank for two companies of an acquaintance, but said Jamaloodin had refused, arguing that this would make it appear as if government was on a witch hunt against him.

In a reaction, the finance minister said he could not agree with Tromp's criticism. "My relationship with Tromp is sublime. I spoke to him four times already."

"He says his letters aren't answered? I know nothing about that. He has to produce the letters concerned to prove such. At this moment, Tromp is director of the Central Bank."

Tromp had earlier stated that the current government was systematically making it impossible for the Central Bank to function.

Parliament members have also been asking questions on the role of the Central Bank in issuing a bond loan on behalf of local utility company Aqualectra.

25 May 2011

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