Political pressure on Monorath grows: Simons postpones decision on minister until after Tuesday’s meeting

During the press conference, the president was asked whether Monorath may remain in office or must step down. Simons did not give a definitive answer. She mainly addressed the measures announced by the government to curb rising crime in Suriname.

The uncertainty over Monorath’s position comes at a time when criticism of his performance from the opposition continues and legal developments surrounding TAS have raised new questions about his former administrative responsibilities.

VHP prepared motion of no confidence

The political discussion surrounding Monorath reached a new peak in early November, when reports emerged that preparations were being made within the VHP parliamentary faction for a motion of no confidence against the minister.

The proposed motion was linked to criticism of his former involvement with TAS and questions about financial transactions and the employment contract of former director Wendy Jap-A-Joe.

Monorath confirmed during an interview with ABC Actueel on November 5 that he was aware of the preparations. Ultimately, according to him, it remained limited to questions from parliamentarians and the motion was not submitted.

As Key News previously reported, the minister stressed that DNA (Suriname’s parliament) has the right to submit a motion of no confidence, but that the ultimate authority to dismiss a minister rests with the president.

With its 17 seats, the VHP does not independently hold a majority in the 51-seat parliament. Any motion would therefore also require support from other parliamentarians in order to be adopted.

Jogi had previously expressed doubts about minister’s performance

The criticism of Monorath did not arise solely because of the TAS affair. VHP parliamentarian Mahinder Jogi had already openly questioned the minister’s performance in July this year.

During a parliamentary debate on the security issue in the interior, Jogi expressed dissatisfaction with Monorath’s answers. He questioned whether the minister was sufficiently capable of exercising his responsibilities in the area of security.

Jogi stated at the time that the president should consider making changes to her Cabinet. According to the parliamentarian, DNA received insufficient concrete answers to questions about the security situation and the actions of judicial authorities.

The earlier Key News article on Jogi’s call for dismissal also addressed his concerns about cooperation between the ministry and the Openbaar Ministerie (Public Prosecution Service).

The recurring criticism makes clear that the discussion about Monorath’s position has now been ongoing for several months.

Criminal complaint over TAS increases political pressure

The situation was further intensified after the Raad van Commissarissen (Supervisory Board) of TAS filed a formal criminal complaint with the prosecutor-general against Monorath and former director Wendy Jap-A-Joe on November 5.

Monorath was president-commissioner of TAS in 2021 and signed Jap-A-Joe’s employment contract at the time.

According to the current RvC, there are suspicions of unlawful financial favouritism and possible violations of legal procedures in entering into and implementing the agreement.

The board wants, among other things, an investigation into whether there was corruption, unlawful payments and other possible criminal offences.

Key News reported extensively on the criminal complaint and the suspicions of the RvC.

The district court had previously provisionally suspended the disputed employment agreement. The Hof van Justitie (Court of Justice) upheld the earlier court ruling on October 30.

However, the rulings do not mean that Monorath has been found criminally guilty. Nor does the criminal complaint filed in itself constitute evidence of criminal acts.

Monorath has denied the allegations of unauthorised action. According to him, he was authorised to sign the agreement on the basis of a presidential resolution and a government decision.

Brunswijk defends Monorath

Despite the criticism, Monorath has received support from ABOP chairman and DNA member Ronnie Brunswijk.

During the parliamentary debate on the TAS issue, Brunswijk stated that Monorath acted at the time on the basis of a presidential resolution. According to him, the minister therefore cannot simply be accused of having acted independently.

In an earlier Key News report, Brunswijk defended the actions of his party colleague. In doing so, he distinguished between the legal discussion concerning TAS and the assessment of Monorath’s performance as minister.

Monorath himself has also stressed that his ministry is achieving results despite limited financial resources. He refers, among other things, to work in the field of legislation, the strengthening of the judiciary and Suriname’s international human rights obligations.

According to the minister, insufficient account is being taken in the criticism of the efforts of his ministry and its staff.

Violent crime leads to new political confrontation

In addition to the TAS affair, the approach to violent crime has now also become central to the political debate.

The recent fatal armed robbery on Wilhelminastraat and the shooting on Jozef Israëlstraat have once again fuelled concerns about security.

VHP parliamentarian Chanrui Wang described the situation in DNA as a low point for society and criticised the government’s security approach.

The VHP faction also submitted an interpellation proposal on Sunday, November 8, to summon President Simons to parliament to explain the increase in armed robberies and robbery murders.

The opposition wants clarity, among other things, on the effectiveness of security measures and the police’s available capacity.

Key News previously reported on this in the article VHP wants to summon President Simons to parliament because of serious violent crime.

The interpellation proposal is separate from the previously discussed motion of no confidence against Monorath, but shows that the government’s security policy is also increasingly becoming a subject of parliamentary discussion.

Simons points to responsibility of security services

During Monday’s press conference, Simons was also asked who would be held responsible if the announced security measures do not lead to a decline in crime.

According to the president, primary responsibility for implementation lies with the security services. The Ministry of Justice and Security must ensure that they have sufficient resources and support.

The head of state also pointed to the responsibility of the government and society. She said she had heard from the police that criminals are sometimes assisted by people who provide them with shelter or shield them.

Simons called on citizens to share information with the police and to remain alert in their residential areas.

Checkpoints return to districts

The president further made clear that the announced measures are not exclusively aimed at Paramaribo’s city centre and entertainment district.

Residential neighbourhoods, districts and the interior are also included in the tightened security approach. Checkpoints will again be deployed at certain locations in the districts.

Based on crime data, the police must determine where additional personnel and resources are most urgently needed.

Simons acknowledged that more intensive surveillance at certain locations may lead criminals to move to other areas. The measures must therefore be continuously evaluated and adjusted where necessary.

With the tightened approach, the government also wants to prevent crime from increasing further towards December, a period in which, according to the president, more criminal offences are generally committed.

Political decision rests with president

The developments place President Simons before an important decision regarding the composition of her Cabinet.

On the one hand, Monorath faces continuing criticism from the opposition over his performance and security policy. On the other hand, the TAS affair has resulted in a criminal complaint, while his party colleague Brunswijk continues to defend him publicly.

Simons previously said in the programme Kal Aaj Aur Kal that she takes the criminal complaint seriously and does not want to dismiss the matter. She also indicated that she does not want to mislead the public.

Although it is now clear that the head of state will speak with Monorath, she has not yet indicated what consequences that conversation may have for his ministerial position.

Tuesday, November 10, will show whether Simons maintains her confidence in the minister or decides on changes within the Ministry of Justice and Security.