VHP parliamentarian and former Minister of Defence Krishna Mathoera is disappointed with several aspects of the policy of the government led by President Jennifer Simons.
According to her, the promised change in important areas has failed to materialise. She mentions, among other things, the reform of the government apparatus and political appointments at state-owned companies.
Mathoera voiced this criticism as a guest on the programme ‘Aan Tafel’ on Regio TV, where she was asked how she assesses the performance of the current president. Although she is pleased that Suriname has a female president, she believes the government is bringing about insufficient change.
According to Mathoera, there are aspects of government policy that she assesses positively, but disappointment prevails on other issues. She had expected the government to pursue reforms that had also been the subject of discussion during the previous term of government.
The appointments at parastatal companies in particular are a thorn in her side. Mathoera states that the government must move away from appointments based on political loyalty and pay more attention to expertise and suitability. “Nothing has come of that so far, and I find that regrettable,” she said regarding the reforms mentioned.
According to the former minister, a well-functioning government apparatus is necessary for Suriname’s development. If political loyalty continues to carry more weight than competence in appointments, the country will make insufficient progress, she said. Mathoera hopes that the government will still take measures to strengthen the government apparatus and curb political appointments.
