BEP parliamentary group leader Ronny Asabina believes that Minister Harish Monorath of Justice and Security should do the honourable thing if it turns out that he has acted improperly.
According to the parliamentarian, the Simons government must adhere to its promise of integrity and good governance. Asabina made these remarks on Thursday, November 12, in an interview with ABC Suriname, ahead of President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons’ decision on Monorath’s position.
Asabina stated that Surinamese society has for some time been awaiting clarity on the minister’s political future. According to him, it is important for the competent authority to make a decision so that the government can continue focusing on the country’s development.
“We hope that a decision will be made,” the BEP parliamentary group leader said. According to him, the decision must provide clarity for all stakeholders, particularly Surinamese society.
Integrity and good governance as guiding principles
Asked whether Monorath’s position was still tenable, Asabina referred to the coalition agreement of the Simons government. According to him, it clearly states that integrity and good governance are important guiding principles of government policy.
The parliamentarian stressed that these principles must apply to every political office-holder, regardless of their political background or position within the coalition.
“That is the standard,” Asabina stated.
According to the BEP parliamentary group leader, anyone who acts contrary to these standards must be prepared to bear the consequences. However, he did not wish to pre-empt the question of whether Monorath had actually made mistakes.
“That will become clear today,” he declared, referring to the assessment of the documents submitted to the president.
Asabina pointed out that the coalition partners had met a day earlier and that it had also been indicated during that meeting that clarity on the minister’s position had to be provided on Thursday.
“Then he should do the honourable thing”
Asked what advice he would give the president, Asabina stressed that the government must fulfil its promises to society.
According to him, the commitment that the government will act in accordance with the principles of integrity and good governance must not be undermined.
On Monorath’s position, he said:
“If I were in his position and there is ample information that he has acted improperly, then he should do the honourable thing.”
Asabina thereby made clear that he considers political accountability necessary when it is sufficiently established that a minister has acted contrary to the standards the government has set for itself.
Coalition divided over Monorath’s position
Asabina’s remarks followed several days of political uncertainty over Monorath’s future. The minister came under pressure because of his previous involvement with the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname (TAS).
As Key News reported earlier, the Raad van Commissarissen of TAS filed a criminal complaint against Monorath and former director Wendy Jap-A-Joe. The complaint concerns a controversial employment contract from 2021, which Monorath signed at the time as president-commissioner.
The board has raised questions about the lawfulness of the agreement and possible financial favouritism. Monorath previously stated that he acted on the basis of official decisions and instructions.
The criminal complaint filed does not mean that those involved have committed criminal offences. Any criminal liability must be determined by the competent authorities.
President Simons had previously indicated that she took the allegations seriously and would demand clarification from Monorath.
During the coalition summit on Wednesday, November 11, it subsequently emerged that the governing parties held differing views on the minister’s political future. According to earlier reporting by Key News, some coalition partners believed that Monorath should step aside, while others wanted to retain him.
ABOP chairman Ronnie Brunswijk defended his party colleague, stating that the minister had acted at TAS on the basis of official instructions and decisions.
President decides that Monorath must leave
A few hours after Asabina’s remarks, President Simons announced on Thursday that the situation surrounding Monorath had become untenable.
After meeting with the minister, the head of state stated that Monorath would submit his resignation. According to the president, this conclusion was reached after an assessment of the available information and the political situation that had arisen.
Brunswijk subsequently said that he does not share the president’s assessment. He believes that Monorath is being wrongly accused, but stressed that ABOP will respect the head of state’s decision.
Read also: Brunswijk calls Monorath’s departure unjustified, but respects president’s decision.
The Justice and Security portfolio has been assigned to ABOP within the coalition. It is not yet known who will succeed Monorath.
With Monorath’s announced departure, political clarity has been provided regarding his position. However, the criminal complaint concerning TAS is separate from this. Any criminal proceedings have yet to take place.
