Chief of Police Bryan Isaacs has been relieved as chief of police of the Suriname Police Force effective immediately, the Communications Department reports. He has been temporarily placed with the ministry, with further deployment in consultation with the head of state. Commissioner Melvin Pinas will take charge as acting chief of police while the appointment process for a successor is initiated.
The European Union remains a reliable partner, EU Ambassador René van Nes informed during an interview with the Vice President. Themes such as fisheries and aviation regulation are central to continued cooperation.
With the swearing in of Dirk Currie as Minister of Education, Science and Culture, the cabinet is complete. President Simons emphasized that education is the foundation for national development and called for interdepartmental cooperation to shape a future-proof education system. Currie underscored his commitment to values of freedom, respect and justice in carrying out his office.
Minister Adelien Wijnerman (Financiën & Planning) installeert een onafhankelijk assessment team onder leiding van macro-econoom Robert Peneux. Samen met Liane Halfhide, Sherida Mormon en Vincent Fernandes zal dit team de interne organisatie, betalingsstromen, projectfinanciering en staatsschuld grondig doorlichten. Halfhide en Peneux kregen daarbij met ingang van 1 augustus formeel mandaat om respectievelijk de onderdirecteur Financiën en de onderdirecteur Treasury te coördineren en te monitoren. Deze stap moet leiden tot een efficiënter bestuur en meer transparantie in de rijksfinanciën.
Minister Harish Monorath (Justitie & Politie) heeft korpschef Bryan Isaacs vragen gesteld over de verdwenen gelden en sieraden bij de Narcoticabrigade en een ontvreemd bedrag van ruim 1 miljoen SRD bij politiebureau Munder. Twee inspecteurs zijn in verzekering gesteld; het onderzoek kent een strafrechtelijk en tuchtrechtelijk karakter en valt deels onder het Openbaar Ministerie.
Fifteen new members of the State Council will also be sworn in today by President Simons. This advisory board, which reviews bills, includes representatives from all parliamentary groups, the business community (ASFA, VSB) and the trade union movement (PWO, Mother's Union). The NDP provides four members, the VHP two, while ABOP, NPS, BEP, PL and A20 hold one seat each. The VHP has objected to the disproportionate distribution of seats, but so far to no avail.
On the diplomatic front, Chinese Ambassador Lin Ji confirmed during a visit to Vice President Russia that Chinese infrastructure projects are continuing unabated. China sees many growth opportunities in Suriname and wants to attract new investments. Vice President Russia assured that his government is handling this trust carefully.
