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Justice Minister calls on Dutch to prove underworld connection

PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Dennis Richardson minced no words when he issued a call to the Dutch Government and anti-St. Maarten fractions in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament "to put the facts on the table" if they exist about the continuous, but so far baseless claims about St. Maarten being controlled by the "underworld."

Richardson was in the St. Maarten Parliament Friday, along with Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, to discuss the draft law to establish an integrity chamber for the council Read more

Local Audi branch inaugurated Friday

COLE BAY--World-renowned German car brand Audi inaugurated its St. Maarten establishment amongst business partners, dignitaries and invited guests Friday night with a formal gathering culminating in the unveiling of five luxury cars, one of which was custom-made for company Chairman Imran Mcsood Amjad.

Audi set up the new location in collaboration with Caribbean Auto in Cole Bay. Latin American Sales Manager Martin Port welcomed it to the Audi family. Imran and Managing Director Tariq Amjad shared the unique selling points of Audi and some of the history making the launch possible.

Customisation, down to the colour of the threading of the leather seats, was just one of the possibilities Tariq described Read more

Audi St. Maarten Opens Doors Friday, Quality Brand And Service Comes To St. Maarten/St. Martin

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Audi brand is now available on St. Maarten. Audi officially opened their doors on Friday evening with a large group of family, Friends and government officials from both French and Dutch as well as officials of the Audi brand in attendance.

Chairman of the board Imrand MacSood gave some history about the process that led up to the brand now being established on the island.

He also spoke about the hard work that went into the process, for which he gave special thanks to his son Tariq Amjad.

Apart from hard work he also spoke about the quality that Audi brings to a quality island such as St Read more

Dennis: Integrity Chamber law ‘strengthens’ country’s position

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament's adopting the draft law to establish an Integrity Chamber "strengthens" the country's position when ministers go before the Kingdom Council of State in a week's time to present St. Maarten's case against the Dutch Kingdom Government's use of Article 51 of the Kingdom Charter to impose a measure on the country. This is the belief Justice Minister Dennis Richardson shared with Members of Parliament on Friday.

"It [the law – Ed.] strengthen our position on the legality" of St Read more

Integrity chamber law now to be handled on Monday

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament will continue its handling of the draft national ordinance to establish an Integrity Chamber on Monday starting at 10:00am. The Central Committee meeting resumed on Friday morning after its suspension on Wednesday evening, but was suspended again after coalition Members of Parliament (MPs) requested time to compare the draft law with the version suggested by the Dutch Government.

MP Tamara Leonard (United People's (UP) party) made the request for time to review the two versions to Parliament Chairman Dr Read more

>Cole Bay: --- Caribbean Auto Sales owned and operated by the Amjad family has added another top of the line brand of vehicles to their fleet as they are one of St. Maarten's biggest auto dealer on the island. When one hears the name Masood, the first thing they think about is insurance as he is the architect that built NAGICO Insurances from scratch.
However, the Amjad's "Mac and Rena" are dedicated business people that are not afraid to take chances, while working endless hours to build the businesses they own Read more

Integrity Chamber Meets Resistance From Coalition

St. Maarten – The draft ordinance for the establishment of St. Maarten’s Integrity Chamber met with unexpected opposition from within the governing coalition yesterday. Members of the opposition also expressed their doubts. Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said that he is facing a May 5 deadline. On that date, the Dutch Council of State renders judgment on the advice the Kingdom Council of Ministers has requested about a looming instruction for St Read more

Halley land saga heard by Petitions Committee

~ 'Something wrong,' way forward to be determined ~

PHILIPSBURG--Marlon Halley, supported in particular by community spokesperson Yvette Halley, had the transfer of land rights plaguing him heard by Members of Parliament on Thursday during a Petitions Committee meeting at Parliament House.

The meeting was the result of a petition submitted March 4 that called for Parliament to thoroughly investigate "fishy business" surrounding the land deal that entailed government taking ownership of the land where Marlon Halley has operated a business for some 28 years, and long-leasing it to developers without his knowing Read more

Hennis-Plasschaert: Kingdom partners have to ‘hold hands’ and work together

PHILIPSBURG--The countries in the Dutch Kingdom have to "hold hands" and continue to cooperate in the best interest of their citizens and in the interest of security.

This was the main message from Dutch Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, who wrapped up her visit to the islands of Curacao, St. Eustatius, Saba and St. Maarten on Thursday.

The minister and her delegation will depart for the Netherlands today, Friday. While in St. Maarten, Hennis-Plasschaert met with the armed forced in the defence ministry, Governor Eugene Holiday, Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and Justice Minister Dennis Richardson Read more

Central Committee Meeting reconvened for Friday about Draft National Ordinance to Establish Integrity Chamber

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in public session on April 10. The Minister of General Affairs Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be present for the House session.

The public Central Committee meeting is was adjourned on April 8 is now being reconvened for Friday at 9.00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The three point agenda is: the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of a Integrity Chamber; second agenda point is approval of the travel schedule for the year 2015 in connection with Committee and Board of Directors meetings of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino); and the third agenda point is approval of the composition of the delegation and provisions for General Assembly of Parlatino from May 15-16.
Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Council of Ministers approved the long lease that is to be granted to Rainforest Adventure on March 18th 2015.
According to documents SMN News obtained showed that an advice prepared by Domain Affairs which was signed off by the head of VROMI Louis Brown on March 9th 2015 and booked in at the Department of General Affairs under Div Read more

Central Committee Meeting Reconvened For Friday About Draft National Ordinance To Establish Integrity Chamber

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in public session on April 10. The Minister of General Affairs Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be present for the House session.

The public Central Committee meeting is was adjourned on April 8 is now being reconvened for Friday at 9.00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The three point agenda is: the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of a Integrity Chamber; second agenda point is approval of the travel schedule for the year 2015 in connection with Committee and Board of Directors meetings of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino); and the third agenda point is approval of the composition of the delegation and provisions for General Assembly of Parlatino from May 15-16.

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St Read more

Integrity Chamber In The Best Interest Of St. Maarten Say's Pm Gumbs

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Central Committee of Parliament handling the National Draft Ordinance for the establishment of a Integrity Chamber, which started on Wednesday and adjourned, will be continuing on Friday at 9 am.

However, during the meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister with the responsibility for General Affairs, the Honorable Marcel Gumbs made clear that the law as is being proposed is not in the interest of Holland, but rather for that of the people of St Read more

MPs share concerns on integrity chamber, but open to discussion

~ Expect more answers on Friday ~

PHILIPSBURG--"Looking forward to further discussion" was the point Members of Parliament (MPs) reached on Wednesday night after hearing answers to shared main points of concern given by Justice Minister Dennis Richardson during a public meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of an Integrity Chamber for St. Maarten.

Although many individual questions had been posed, paired with statements of concern about what the Ordinance will mean for St Read more

St. Maarten Quarter master plan approved by Ministers

POINTE BLANCHE--The Master Plan for St. Maarten Quarter, a US $120 million mixed-use waterfront development project by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), officially received approval by the Council of Ministers (COM) on March 26, which RCCL Vice President of Commercial Development John Tercek described as the last step needed before the project can "go full steam" ahead.

Tercek was notified officially by a letter signed by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs on behalf of COM, although government previously had expressed satisfaction after a well-received presentation in early March.

During the presentation, the group urged swift approval so that the project could be announced at the global Seatrade Cruise Shipping Conference in Miami in the week of March 17, amongst international industry players and travel and trade media.

The project still was announced at Seatrade in the presence of Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor.

Prime Minister Gumbs called the proposed project something that, in COM's opinion, would enhance the tourism product "tremendously."

According to the presentation, the next steps entail commencing detailed design and attaining relevant permits Read more

Prime Minister says draft law to Establish Integrity Chamber is not to please the Dutch Government.

style="text-align: center;">Parliament voted on a motion for Government to establish the recommendations in Integrity Reports --- PM

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs made clear to Parliament on Wednesday that the draft ordinance to establish the integrity chamber on St. Maarten is not to please the Dutch Government. Prime Minister Gumbs reminded the members of parliament that the parliament of St Read more

Mp Lake As Minister Gave Advise To Soab On Smhdf Confirms Pm Gumbs In Parliament

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The House of Parliament met in a public plenary session on Tuesday afternoon.

This session was the continuation of the initial meeting that was held on December 22nd of last year.

The meeting was at the request of the National Alliance, the Democratic Party and the USP, and dealt with among others, the request to the Governments Accountants Bureau SOAB to carry out a forensic investigation into the operations of the St Read more

Editorial - Missing in action

The Asjes cabinet in Curaçao has decided to stop payment to 16 so-called “ghost civil servants.” Five of them were convicted of crimes and are currently in prison, while the other 11 are at home without a valid reason.

At the moment a total of 81 government employees there don’t show up for work. That also includes 11 suffering from chronic illnesses, three with addiction problems, two with labour conflicts, 33 who have been denied entry pending an investigation, seven subjected to disciplinary measures and five who were suspended.  

Tackling this issue isn’t easy, because there could be many factors involved such as the relationship with superiors, and government must be careful not to violate the rights of its personnel Read more

style="text-align: center;">Several Financial Statements still not available Corporate Governance Council Rejects candidates proposed by government.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs informed Parliament on Tuesday that the government of St. Maarten is currently working on taking the supervisory board of the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) to court in order to obtain two audit reports Read more

Up Mp Lake Addresses Social Media Political Rumours In The House Of Parliament On Tuesday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Maurice Lake addressed on Tuesday in the House of Parliament social media rumours that he was involved in a plot to throw down government and send home the Cabinet of Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs.

"It's good to be back in the House of the People Read more

MPs to discuss ‘alleged’ election discrepancies

PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) will discuss alleged discrepancies in the August 29, 2014, parliamentary elections during a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on Wednesday, April 8, at 10:00am.

The meeting was requested by MPs Leona Marlin-Romeo and Cornelius de Weever (both independent) and Tamara Leonard (United People's party) in correspondence dated November 6 and 7, 2014.

Main Voting Bureau and Civil Registry Department representatives will be present to discuss alleged discrepancies that occurred in preparation of and during the August 29 parliamentary elections Read more

Minister of Defence pays visit to Dutch Caribbean

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert will visit Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba April 6-10. During her visit, the minister will visit the Dutch military forces that carry out defence and police duties in the Caribbean part of the Dutch kingdom and will hold talks with military and civilian authorities.

The minister will be guest of the Commander of the Netherlands Forces in the Caribbean today, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

The military units in the Caribbean are to protect the territories, bring stability and maintain the law within the Dutch Caribbean and are to assist in case of disasters and calamities.

As director of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, the commander is responsible for maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue at sea.

In Willemstad, Minister Hennis will speak with Governor Lucille George-Wout, Deputy Prime Minister Etienne van der Horst, Minister of Justice Nelson Navarro and President of Parliament Marcoliono Franco.

On Wednesday, Hennis will visit Statia and Saba, where she will speak with Island Governors Gerald Berkel and Jonathan Johnson and with personnel of the Royal Marechaussees.

She will conclude her visit in St Read more

Integrity Chamber meeting rescheduled for Wednesday

PHILIPSBURG--The public meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on the establishment of the draft law to establish an Integrity Chamber has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 8, at 3:00pm.

The meeting could not be held when it was last called on Monday, March 30, due to lack of quorum.

The three-point agenda includes the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of an Integrity Chamber, approval of the travel schedule for the Committee and Board of Directors meetings of the Latin American Parliament Parlatino for 2015, and approval of the composition of the delegation and provisions for General Assembly of Parlatino May 15-16.

Minister of General Affairs Marcel Gumbs will be present for the meeting.

The public can watch the session at the House of Parliament located across from the Courthouse in Philipsburg or live on St Read more

Central Committee Meeting scheduled for Wednesday about Draft National Ordinance to Establish Integrity Chamber

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in public session on April 8. The Minister of General Affairs Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be present for the House session.

The public Central Committee meeting is set for Wednesday at 3.00pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The three point agenda is: the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of a Integrity Chamber; second agenda point is approval of the travel schedule for the year 2015 in connection with Committee and Board of Directors meetings of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino); and the third agenda point is approval of the composition of the delegation and provisions for General Assembly of Parlatino from May 15-16.
Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St Read more