PARAMARIBO – In a statement, the VHP faction sharply criticized the course of events during Tuesday’s budget discussion in the National Assembly (DNA), during which parliamentarian Mahinder Jogi had to leave the meeting room. According to the faction, it is worrying that Jogi was removed after he was critical of the performance of DNA chairman Ashwin Adhin, whom he described as “the worst DNA chairman to date”. The VHP states that freedom of expression, as enshrined in the Constitution, also applies to members of parliament.
In addition, the faction points out that during the debate Jogi asked critical questions to the Minister of Land Policy and Forest Management about alleged abuses at MI-GLIS. According to the VHP, he actually asked the minister for clarification and transparency about information that had reached him. However, during his contribution he was repeatedly interrupted by the chairman, who, according to the faction, demanded that evidence had to be submitted first. The VHP emphasizes that the intention of parliamentary questions is for the government to provide clarity about this.
According to the faction, the government has a duty to answer questions from DNA members and to be accountable to parliament. Representatives must be able to ask critical questions on behalf of society about possible abuses, while the chairman of the National Assembly should facilitate and not hinder that supervisory work.
The VHP further points to an earlier meeting in which parliamentarian Bronto Somohardjo stated that prominent VHP members had acquired land. According to the group, no evidence has been provided for these claims to date. Nevertheless, Somohardjo was not corrected at the time, nor called to order, nor removed from the meeting room. DNA member Jones is also said to have made far-reaching accusations during previous meetings without providing evidence and without any action being taken.
According to the VHP faction, this indicates unequal treatment and a selective application of the powers of the DNA chairman. A chairman should treat all members equally, regardless of their political background or the content of their positions, and, according to the group, should place themselves above the political parties.
Finally, the VHP faction states that it will continue to carry out its supervisory task with dedication and will continue to demand transparency. According to the party, democracy can only function properly when representatives of the people can ask critical questions without fear and control the government, while the chairman of the National Assembly leads the meeting impartially and in compliance with the applicable rules.
