Parliament rejects proposal on investigation into Bientu-case

June 01, 2012 11:37 AM

WILLEMSTAD - This morning the Parliament discussed a proposal of order from the PAR parliamentary party to expand the parliamentary inquiry with an investigation into the screening of members of the Schotte-cabinet and the interference of Minister of Justice Elmer ‘Kadè’ Wilsoe (PS) in the criminal investigation into lottery boss Robbie dos Santos.

However, a majority of the Parliament rejected this proposal.The proposal from the PAR was discussed this morning at the beginning of the public meeting in which the Parliament was to decide on the set-up of the parliamentary inquiry into the functioning of the Intelligence Service Netherlands Antilles (VNA) and the Intelligence Service Curaçao (VDC) and the investigation methods of the Public Prosecutor. From the beginning, the PAR opposed the set-up of the intended inquiry, insisted on expanding the inquiry and therefore introduced their proposal this morning.

According to PAR-member Jackson, the inquiry must also include the screening of the ministers. He explained before the Parliament that the cause of all problems at the VDC can be traced back to a trip to St. Maarten at the time by future premier Gerrit Schotte and fellow party-member/current Minister of Justice George ‘Jorge’ Jamaloodin and the person who was entrusted with the screening of the ministers. He insisted to investigate this screening and the presence of police officers from the Columbian intelligence service Dipol on Curaçao. Finally, Jackson argued for an investigation into Wilsoe’s interference in the current investigation into Dos Santos, the so-called Bientu-case. The fact that the minister interfered with an ongoing investigation led to shocked reactions in the community, according to the PAR.
 
Although the proposal was discussed it soon appeared that the PAR was the only one who advocated expanding the inquiry. On behalf of government party MFK, Amerigo Thodé didn’t think it was a good idea that the Parliament is to discuss the screening of the ministers again. He also disapproved that the PAR wants to investigate an ongoing case (Bientu). MAN-member Eugene Cleopa said the PAR’s proposal from this morning resembled a previous motion from the PAR that requested a parliamentary inquiry into the screening of the ministers. “We voted against that motion and we’ll vote against this motion.” The FOL, PS and PNP didn’t support expansion of the inquiry either. The end of the meeting will show which witnesses and experts the ‘Inquiry Committee VNA/VDC and investigation methods Public Prosecutor’ will hear first. PS-parliamentarian Jaime Cordoba will lead the committee.

The PAR recommended former minister Omayra Leeflang, board member of the yellow party, as their external expert for the parliamentary inquiry. The other recommended members are Douwe Boersema (by MFK), Roland Pang (PS) and Rufus Mc William (MAN). The Parliament will decide on these recommendations today.