Dear Editor,
Even in their last remaining days in office, this Council of Ministers is still trying desperately to hold on to their ministerial positions. It’s like this function is their only lifeline, and they are clinging on to it for dear life. Never in the history of politics have the population witnessed an outgoing government this desperate to retain their power.
When it’s not the ministers who are sending direct WhatsApp messages to newly elected MPs, enticing them to cross over, it’s their supporters and associates who are doing the dirty job for them. What kind of message are they sending to the incoming government? It is for them to create another Mexican stand-off like what took place in the past? This is such a shameful and unprofessional way of exiting.
What is the real reason behind this desperation? Who do they owe? What promises did they make on the campaign trail? Are there previous agreements still in motion, like the one regarding ENNIA, that blind-sided parliament and the entire country, just recently? On one hand they say they have no problem sitting in parliament, but in the same breath, they are relentlessly soliciting the weak and greedy MPs of this new formation.
How shameful it is to see that 14 years into this new status, politicians are still playing this dirty game. Yet, when they make mistakes, based on their ego and refusal to take advice, they try to convince the public that it’s a young country and the people must be patient, because other countries are experiencing the same challenges, even though they have years of independence.
I’m still very curious to know where all that money came from to finance the UP and NA campaigns. And, were these two parties actually running the government, or they were acting on behalf of their donors? What is extremely obvious is that they are so ill-equipped that they cannot function without former MP Rolando Brison, the “bridge” who was keeping this outgoing government together.
So, what are the consequences of him being absent from their political make-up going forward? Is this a major reason why NA is so desperate to maintain power? It’s very strange that a party like NA that despised the UP party, now finds itself in such a dilemma. Or, is former MP Rolando Brison’s statement of having a deal with the young boys of NA the dominating factor that is fueling this desperation?
This is why the Electoral Council needs a complete revamp of its approach in collecting information on campaign spending. Its current system can never uncover the true picture of monetary contribution or otherwise. They need to do a complete audit in conjunction with the Prosecutor’s Office to see if there are any discrepancies, and levy the appropriate penalties to deter this kind of misconduct in the future.
UP and NA have done enough damage to the country with their incompetence and deceitful behaviours. They will go down in history as the most selfish government ever, and the one that fired the most locals ever, just to satisfy their ego and these unscrupulous business owners.
Therefore, it is time that they relinquish their positions with dignity, if there is any, and set the example for those who aspire to serve the public.
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
In a significant international operation, law enforcement agencies across 17 countries, including the United Kingdom, have made strides in combating cybercrime. On April 17, 2024, UK police arrested 24 individuals associated with LabHost services, a notorious online phishing platform. This operation, spanning two years, culminated in 37 arrests globally and the dismantling of LabHost’s operations, seizing 800 emails and uncovering substantial evidence of criminal activity. Among those arrested was one British national, highlighting the global reach and impact of cybercrime.
LabHost, catering to over 10,000 cyber scammers worldwide, facilitated fraudulent activities through sophisticated phishing techniques. Operating as a subscription-based service, it provided scammers with over 170 replica websites mimicking legitimate institutions, from banks to government agencies, for a monthly fee of US $270. These sites were used to deceive unsuspecting victims into divulging sensitive information, such as bank card numbers and PIN codes, resulting in significant financial losses estimated at US $1.2 million.
The Caribbean, despite its serene reputation, is not immune to the rising tide of cybercrime. According to a 2022 report by Global Financial Integrity, fraud in the region encompasses various schemes, including lottery scams, online shopping scams, romance scams, Ponzi schemes, and advanced fee fraud. Particularly prevalent is advanced fee fraud, constituting over 44% of cyber-fraud cases in the Caribbean, where victims are tricked into making payments under false pretenses.
As a local ICT professional, I must emphasize the importance of digital literacy and vigilance in safeguarding against cyber threats. The recent crackdown on LabHost serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in cyberspace. As average Internet users, we must exercise caution and adopt proactive measures to protect ourselves online.
To mitigate the risks of falling victim to phishing scams and other cyber threats, I suggest the following:
* Verify Sources: Be skeptical of unsolicited messages or emails requesting personal information. Verify the authenticity of communication by contacting service providers through official channels.
* Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common cyber threats and phishing techniques. Familiarize yourself with the red flags indicating fraudulent activities.
* Secure Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts and enable two-factor authentication where possible to add an extra layer of security.
* Stay Updated: Keep your software, antivirus programs, and devices up to date with the latest security patches to safeguard against vulnerabilities.
* Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter suspicious websites or suspect fraudulent activities, report them to relevant authorities or cybersecurity agencies.
By empowering individuals with knowledge and proactive strategies, we can collectively combat cybercrime and foster a safer digital environment for all. Let us strive towards enhancing digital literacy and resilience in the Caribbean region and beyond.
Marvio Cooks
Dear Editor,
Landing at Princess Juliana Airport.
As always a beautiful sight.
We were picked up swiftly by bus to take us to the arrivals hall.
The bus made a tour through, what seemed to be, a scrap yard before dropping us at the airport building.
We were guided directly into 4 lines leading inside.
(First congestion of flow in the process.)
The policy was that lanes were opened according to arrival time.
(Improvement required.)
The Customs officer was very friendly. Me, personally, experienced difficulties hearing the Customs officer due to a cacophony of sounds in the what felt as a cramped space.
After a blessed afternoon there was Miss Richardson.
Present on behalf of a fancy resort and welcoming all passengers arriving at Princess Juliana Airport.
“Welcome to Paradise!” she smiled all by herself followed by witty remarks after the guests had expressed their shock.
The ant pile around the conveyor belt made most people take a step forward.
Even a classroom felt bigger.
There you are as a solo traveller.
5 rows of people are 2 meters away.
How to get your suitcase?
4 flights have just landed.
The bags come by arrival of the flight.
On the screen it says, Air France belt 1.
What was the sequence of the flights?
Gathered my courage to ask my neighbour for help after we got acquainted,
“Can you look at my bags while I go check if my suitcase is coming?”
“You can ask the men in the yellow shirts,” he suggested.
After a year of no income due to long covid you have the feeling you somehow want to avoid spending this money.
Unfortunately my brain decided to have a sensory overload.
The first one in a yellow shirt was Big Flo.
“I give you 20 usd if you bring my suitcase outside.”
Thank you my fellow Aquarius for saving me there. Some spaces are better to avoid after post covid.
To me it is unclear if there’s international guidelines in regard to how many people can pass through or be in a certain area in case of an emergency.
Is 1 belt enough for an airport size as Princess Juliana Airport?
Although currently not looking forward to it, my friends told me that when I fly out everything looks amazing, spacious, automatic gates and everything.
For now I am enjoying my time just by being here.
God bless.
Nancy Nouwen
Dear Editor,
I presented a motion in June of 2021, almost 3 years ago, asking that the subject of debt cancellation for St. Maarten be discussed. I was moved to do so after discovering that St. Maarten was paying 12.7 million guilders annually on an almost 1 billion-guilders debt. It is no secret that it would take some 100 years to pay it off, hence my motion which was unanimously supported. The International Monetary Fund had also suggested that the Dutch government look at debt cancellation, however, what came afterwards due to the COVID19 pandemic is additional loans of some 300 million guilders.
When we tried to help ourselves by floating bonds, we were threatened with default of a loan which was due. Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion eventually retracted the matter. It is no public secret that grants were given to other European countries with no conditions. But to date, nothing about our so- called debts.
What irks me is that we have gone extremely silent on the matter. The Netherlands is continuing to give grants to Ukraine in the billions of euros but we have remained silent. Outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte made an apology in December of 2022, King Willem Alexander also made an apology in July of 2023, but still nothing about debt cancellation or reparations and we remain silent. However, on page 18 of yesterday’s Daily Herald newspaper it says “1 billion euros more in military aid to Ukraine.”
Are we sure we are brothers and sisters? (Statements by outgoing State Secretary Van Huffelen during one of her inaugural meetings with us on St. Maarten). While we are busy fighting each other for power, we are neglecting the people and future generations on St. Maarten. Mr. Wilders who is trying to form a government for some 5 months now and recently walked out of another discussion, made some statements that have some people panicking.
He is not God and he does not own St. Maarten. He can only do as much as we allow him to do. And for those who are still mentally enslaved, I want to remind you that we are entitled to debt cancellation and reparations, not tomorrow but today. Swept under the rug!
George Pantophlet
Dear Editor,
Nothing happens on Sint Maarten that is kept a complete secret. I do not know what SMCU did not know, but I can put my head on the block and declare that SMCU knew something not so pleasant was going on in TelEm.
On the day that it was published in the paper, I was on my way to pay my bill at TelEm. I picked up the paper and when I read the headline, I said to myself I hope they don't walk out before I can get a chance to pay. To my surprise everybody was working diligently. One of the employees told me they are hearing something like that, but they are not sure yet. "But it is written in the paper, how is it possible that you don't know anything about it?" "You know how it is.” “No, I do not know how it is. You are working in here, you should know how it is."
I have to admit I was wishing that everybody en bloc, in a quiet manner, would have walked out and stood in front of the building until they got some kind of an explanation of what would be the consequence of what is going on. The Justice workers striked (unjustly) even after the then Minister of Justice embarked on a mission which was left unattended for more than ten years, and we all know what she got for it. Even though I maintain that police do not strike, at least they let the government know that they were not content with how they were treated.
Since March the people in SMCU knew what was going on and only now after the damage is done they are writing letters to you. Are you the mediator? When it is time to gossip and use foul language via social media, everybody is first and foremost. But now that it is something which I believe directly concerns them, I'm reading a letter to you. What would they have done if you made use of your prerogative to print or not to print and did not print?
Again that for me so dreaded habit of 'to lay and wait' raises its ugly head. Also I do not believe that the average age of the people that were sent home is more than 55. So who is going to do what about those families? I am so waiting for the screening process to successfully come to an end, because since the Silveria Jacobs government was the worst and government continues, whichever new government comes in now should be better for this situation. I just hope that we will find some dedicated people and not incompetent friends.
Pudding is well known to Sint Maarteners, so I believe I would not be far off if I should say, "The proof is in the pudding."
Russell A. Simmons
