President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons has made it clear that she will not sign a resolution in the matter surrounding the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname (TAS, Telecommunications Authority Suriname) if no investigation is launched.
The head of state stressed in an interview with Lim FM that the Raad van Ministers (RvM, Council of Ministers) bears primary responsibility for decision-making, but that she herself is not prepared to put her signature to it as long as there is insufficient clarity about the issues within the organisation.
The statement comes at an important time for TAS director Wendy Jap A Joe, whose current term of office, according to earlier announcements, expires on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Relations between the director and the Raad van Commissarissen (RvC, Supervisory Board) have been seriously disrupted for some time.
President Simons leaves no doubt that an investigation is necessary for her, regardless of the Council of Ministers’ ultimate decision.
“There must be an investigation, let that be clear. There must be an investigation,” the head of state emphasised.
She points out that decision-making does not lie solely with her. “The government decides on this, you know, the Council of Ministers. It is not primarily the president.”
Nevertheless, she sets a clear condition for her own involvement in the decision-making.
“Even if the Council of Ministers were to agree, I will not sign a resolution if there is no investigation. I think that is a normal thing,” Simons said.
According to the president, work is now being done on the investigation issue. She did not make clear whether she was referring to the previously announced investigation into TAS’s financial management or to a possible additional investigation.
Simons responds to Scheek’s ultimatum
The head of state also responded to earlier statements by Emanuel Scheek, president-commissioner of TAS. During a press conference, Scheek had announced that he would resign from his position if Jap A Joe remained as director.
Simons does not appear to be guided by that ultimatum.
“I still hear Scheek saying: if that lady stays on, I am leaving. Look, everyone may say anything,” the president responded.
According to her, the focus should primarily be on the functioning of the governing bodies and compliance with their responsibilities.
“I want the boards we appoint to be able to do their work. They should not sit in the directorate’s seat, but the directorate must ensure that the boards can work.”
The president emphasises that supervisors must be able to carry out their statutory duties. When a Supervisory Board sees reason to demand an investigation, this should, according to her, be acted upon.
“If the board says there must be an investigation, then there must be an investigation. That is simply my position,” Simons stated.
Prolonged governance conflict
The conflict within TAS has now dragged on for months. The Supervisory Board previously voiced serious objections to the functioning of the directorate and urged an investigation into the organisation’s financial management.
Jap A Joe, in turn, has raised questions about the actions of members of the RvC and raised possible conflicts of interest. The director has also filed a lawsuit against six commissioners.
The Council of Ministers previously decided not to honour a request to suspend the director. Minister Raymond Landveld of Transport, Communicatie en Toerisme stated at the time that the directorate and the supervisors had to continue their work.
Key News previously reported that Scheek believes that the president must intervene in the situation at TAS. It was also reported that the directorate and RvC must continue to work together despite their conflict.
With her latest statement, Simons makes clear that she considers an investigation necessary before she is prepared to sign a resolution. This leaves open the question of what decision the Council of Ministers will take regarding Jap A Joe’s position and what consequences this will have for TAS’s leadership.
