President must intervene in TAS situation

The head of state must, according to president-commissioner Emanuel Scheek, intervene in the TAS conflict, in which a lawsuit has been filed against six members of the Raad van Commissarissen of the Telecommunicatie Autoriteit Suriname. Scheek assumes that President Jennifer Simons can play a role in resolving the situation that has arisen.

The members of the RvC gave an extensive explanation of the situation at TAS during a press briefing on Thursday. The press conference was held in response to recent public statements and reporting on the lawsuit TAS director Wendy Jap A Joe has filed against six members of the board.

The commissioners state that there have been problems with the provision of information by management for some time. According to them, insufficient clarity is provided regarding certain TAS expenditures. The members say that, from their supervisory responsibility, they have raised questions about the financial situation and various expenditures of the organisation.

Scheek calls for presidential intervention in TAS conflict

Scheek says the president has the option of convening the Raad van Ministers (Council of Ministers) to further discuss the matter. “I assume that this will also happen,” the president-commissioner said. According to him, the measures needed to resolve the situation can be placed on the government’s agenda.

“The measures can be placed on the agenda, because it concerns transparency of governance,” Scheek said. He also indicated that he would rather spend his time usefully than be continuously involved in a situation in which, according to him, the work of the RvC is being made difficult. Scheek says he will reconsider his position if the situation continues in this manner.

RvC wants to explain its side of the case

The six members involved consider it necessary to set out the context of the case themselves. They want to explain their position and respond to recent public characterisations and perceptions surrounding the lawsuit and the circumstances leading up to it.

RvC member Orpheo La Main says the board wants to act responsibly, especially when it comes to managing resources within the organisation. “We have done our best to comply with laws and regulations,” La Main said. “At no time have we acted personally or spoken out in the media about matters not in line with our task.”

“We have done our best to comply with laws and regulations.”

Questions about TAS financial expenditures

RvC member Joan Nibte says that certain TAS financial printouts, according to the board, show high amounts. During the press briefing, she mentioned, among other things, the organisation’s travel expenses. According to Nibte, an amount of around US$ 1 million in travel expenses would appear in the records over a period of approximately one year. The amount mentioned by Nibte was put forward by her during the press briefing.

Conflict between RvC and management has been ongoing for some time

The current lawsuit is a new development in the longer-running TAS conflict between management and the Raad van Commissarissen. Key News previously reported that the RvC wanted measures taken against Jap A Joe due to concerns the board had raised about her performance, financial accountability and the provision of information within the organisation.

On 26 August, the Raad van Ministers did not agree to the request to suspend Jap A Joe. Minister Raymond Landveld of Transport, Communicatie en Toerisme subsequently made clear that the director would remain in office and that both management and the RvC must continue their work. According to Landveld, the two parties must cooperate despite the conflict. Key News previously reported extensively on the situation at TAS.

Lawsuit raises tensions within TAS

Jap A Joe has now brought summary proceedings against six commissioners. She argues, among other things, that certain statements by the commissioners have harmed her honour, good name and professional reputation. The RvC members involved dispute this and state that their actions and questions stem from their responsibility as supervisors.

The case therefore concerns not only personal relations within TAS, but also the question of how much scope a Raad van Commissarissen has to request financial and administrative information from management and make public statements about it. Ultimately, it is up to the court to rule on the claims filed in the lawsuit.

Government previously opted for cooperation

Scheek’s call to President Simons comes at a time when the government has indicated that both parties must return to work together. Minister Landveld previously confirmed that an investigation should help clarify the allegations made within the organisation.

This means the TAS conflict has not yet been resolved. Management remains in place, the RvC remains responsible for supervision, and at the same time the legal proceedings are ongoing. Scheek’s position as president-commissioner dates from 11 May 2026, when he was officially appointed. At the time of his appointment, the government stated that TAS has an important supervisory role within the telecommunications sector. More information about his appointment can be found via the official website of the Surinamese government.

TAS conflict continues to occupy government

For Scheek, part of the responsibility for breaking the current deadlock now lies with the head of state and the government. However, his call does not yet mean that a new decision has been made on the position of the director or the RvC. For the time being, the decisions previously taken remain in force and the lawsuit continues.

The coming period will have to show whether President Simons or the Raad van Ministers will again discuss measures in response to the commissioners’ statements. It must also become clear what clarification the ongoing legal and administrative processes will provide regarding the financial questions raised by the RvC.