According to ABOP chairman Ronnie Brunswijk, Minister Harish Monorath will remain Minister of Justice and Security until President Jennifer Simons decides otherwise. Brunswijk was present on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, at the meeting between the president and Monorath at the Kabinet van de President (Office of the President). He told SUN that the president must now make a decision on the minister’s position.
According to Brunswijk, the allegations against Monorath were discussed during the meeting. The ABOP chairman states that the minister refuted the accusations with council documents. “The president will now have to make a decision,” Brunswijk told SUN.
Brunswijk present at meeting at presidential office
The meeting took place after Simons announced at a press conference on Monday that she would speak with Monorath on Tuesday. At the time, she did not provide clarity on whether he could remain in office. Brunswijk now makes clear that, in his view, Monorath remains in office until the head of state decides otherwise.
Allegations surrounding TAS contract and costs
Monorath’s position is under pressure because of his former role as supervisory board chairman at the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname (TAS). He signed an employment agreement with former director Wendy Jap-A-Joe, which critics describe as a so-called strangulation contract. There are also allegations that work was carried out for the Kabinet van de Vicepresident (Office of the Vice President) while the costs were charged to TAS. These allegations have not been established as proven criminal offences.
The current Supervisory Board of TAS filed a criminal complaint against Monorath and Jap-A-Joe. The complaint calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the agreement. Monorath disputes that he acted without authority. As Key News previously reported on the criminal complaint, filing one does not amount to a criminal conviction.
President Simons was asked during a press conference on Monday whether Monorath could remain in office. She did not anticipate her decision and referred to Tuesday’s meeting.
TAS matter factors into political debate
The announced meeting follows the criminal complaint filed by the Supervisory Board of the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname (TAS) against Monorath and former TAS director Wendy Jap-A-Joe. The complaint is related to the employment agreement concluded in 2021, when Monorath was TAS supervisory board chairman.
According to the board, there are questions about how the agreement was concluded and compliance with legal procedures. The filed complaint is not a determination of criminal guilt. Monorath has defended his actions and argued that he was authorised to act at the time on the basis of a presidential resolution and a government decision.
Simons previously stated that she takes the criminal complaint seriously and wants to discuss the matter with the minister. Key News reported on 8 November on the explanation the president is seeking from Monorath.
Also criticism of security policy
The discussion about his position is not limited to TAS. The recent violent robberies and fatal shooting incidents have increased pressure on the security authorities. The government announced on Monday that the police will receive additional support from the Nationaal Leger (National Army) in tackling crime.
The VHP parliamentary group also submitted an interpellation proposal to question the president in De Nationale Assemblée (Suriname’s parliament) about the increase in violent crime and the security measures taken. Key News previously reported on this interpellation proposal.
The opposition also discussed a possible motion of no confidence against Monorath. According to the minister, he was aware of those preparations, but the motion had not been submitted at that time. He emphasised that the decision on his dismissal ultimately rests with the president. Read also his earlier response to the possible motion of no confidence.
President to decide on further steps
Whether Simons will still take administrative measures following the meeting remains to be seen from an announcement by the head of state. For now, the current statement is that, according to Brunswijk, Monorath remains minister as long as the president has not made another decision.
