President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons has not imposed a media blackout on the Supervisory Board (RvC) of the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname (TAS). This was stated by Emanuel Scheek, chairman of the TAS supervisory board, during a press briefing on recent public statements and the lawsuit TAS director Wendy Jap A Joe has filed against six members of the board.
Volgens Scheek, the head of state has likewise not given the RvC instructions on how the board should position itself in the matter. He does believe, however, that the president is the appropriate authority to intervene and help normalise the strained relationship between the RvC and management.
The chairman of the supervisory board says that the board considers transparency towards society important. For that reason, a press conference was organised during which the media were given access to various documents. The six RvC members presented their view on alleged financial irregularities within TAS.
Scheek made it clear that he is prepared to step down from his position if Jap A Joe remains as director. According to him, he will submit his resignation letter after 20 October, when Jap A Joe’s current contract expires, according to him.
The TAS director has taken the six board members to court for defamation and slander. Scheek states that the lawsuit is aimed at having the RvC members make statements about remarks that, according to the director, are perceived as harmful or defamatory.
According to Scheek, however, the board has identified matters within the organisation which, in his view, did not proceed correctly during the period in which Jap A Joe has been leading TAS.
Scheek further stressed that there is solely a working relationship between him and Jap A Joe. According to him, the other board members also have no other relationship with the director.
