Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG--A motion calling on Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams to inform individual ministers of the Wescot-Williams III Cabinet "to not make any long-term policy, financial and/or decisions of such a nature as granting lands in long lease, bus and taxi licences, concessions, hiring and placement of personnel in crucial functions" was adopted by a majority of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the closing meeting of the 2013-2014 parliamentary year on Monday.
The motion was presented by MP Roy Marlin (Democratic Party ((DP))) and also signed by six other MPs.
The motion further called on the ministers to refrain from making any decision on the waste-to-energy concession or any other decision "that may obstruct or encumber the incoming government from functioning adequately during the next governing term."
The motion also requested the prime minister to inform the individual ministers who are shareholder's representatives of government-owned companies "to instruct management and boards of these companies to refrain from entering into long-term agreements and sign contracts that may negatively affect or bind these companies for a long term."
The motion was presented by MP Roy Marlin after he requested an addition to an agenda of the plenary session of Parliament. That agenda point was "the results of the elections on August 29." The content of the motion was built around the forming of the new coalition of National Alliance (NA)/United St. Maarten (US) Party/(DP) and the appointment of MP William Marlin (NA) as "formateur" of the new government.
MP William Marlin said the motion was very necessary to stop ministers from giving out land at random and to halt government-owned companies from signing "rush deals" and "contracts in the millions."
MP Sylvia Meyers-Olivacce (United People's Party (UP)) voted against the motion, saying that it did not make sense as the government has to continue working.
MP Johan Leonard (UP) said the motion casts doubt on all the ministers, including the ones who are part of the new coalition. He said all the ministers have integrity.
Independent MP Frans Richardson voted for the motion, saying that the new government should not be tied down by any decision by incumbent government that would have "serious consequences" on governing the country in the coming term.
Voting for the motion were MPs Roy Marlin, Hyacinth Richardson, William Marlin, Louie Laveist and George Pantophlet of NA, and independent MPs Frans Richardson, Laville and Patrick Illidge.
Voting against the motions were MPs Sylvia Meyers-Olivacce, Leonard and President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell (UP).
MP Theo Heyliger was signed in for the meeting, but was not present to vote on the motion.
Absent with notice from Monday's meeting were MPs Lloyd Richardson (independent), Leroy de Weever ((DP)) and Jules James (UP).
