Plasterk wants screening of St. Maarten ministers

May 13, 2013 10:55 AM

THE HAGUE--Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk is in favour of subjecting the candidate ministers in the next St. Maarten Government to a strict screening process.

 
Plasterk said in an interview with The Daily Herald on Saturday, that he is aware that appointing new ministers was not an issue of the Dutch Government as this is an internal affair of St. Maarten, but he does hope that Philipsburg will follow Curaçao's example to appoint only properly screened ministers.
 
The strict screening of the members of the professional, temporary cabinet of Curaçao has resulted in a good team that has the right intentions, said Plasterk, who credited the murdered Leader of the Pueblo Soberano (PS) and Parliamentarian Helmin Wiels for this move.
 
The professional cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Daniel Hodge, has taken bold steps to solve the financial crisis of government and to revive the local economy. This has generated much confidence abroad as well as in The Netherlands, and has resulted in a renewal of trust in Curaçao's economy and finances, said Plasterk.
 
"You can see that things are improving in Curaçao. I sincerely hope that St. Maarten will follow this example. It would be good for the country," said the minister, who has been in contact with St. Maarten Governor Eugene Holiday. "It is a complicated situation. The Governor is well aware of that," he said.
 
Plasterk is worried about the political situation in St. Maarten where the government has fallen for a second time since the island territory attained country status in October 2010. This would be the third government to be appointed.
 
The National Alliance and Democratic Party government no longer has the majority in the Parliament of St. Maarten after the DP Parliamentarians and independent Member of Parliament (MP) Romaine Laville withdrew their support. The DP and the United People's (UP) Party want to form a new government with the support of Laville.
 
Recent developments, including the alleged bribe of MP Patrick Illidge in the Bada Bing scandal have cast a shadow on the integrity of St. Maarten politicians. Subjecting future members of government to a strict screening ensures that a person is fit to govern, which also improves people's trust in politicians.
 
Asked why the strict screening of members of the Council of Ministers was important, Plasterk said: "No country can do without a government that serves the general interest. Members of government should serve no other interest than that of the country."
 
(The Daily Herald)
 

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