PHILIPSBURG:--- In today’s public meeting of Parliament, Member of Parliament and Leader of the UPP faction Omar E. C. Ottley raised serious concerns about the ability of the current coalition government to govern effectively. As it stands, the current coalition does not have the support of majority of Parliament since Thursday last week. The chaos witnessed during the recent meeting today underscores a deeper issue within the government's ability to govern effectively.

Last week, this crucial meeting to approve the credentials of two soon-to-be MPs could not proceed due to a lack of quorum by the current "majority" of the 2 x 4 Government. MP Ottley emphasized that this failure reflects a fundamental lack of planning on the part of the formateur and the MPs that have signed on to this coalition. He reiterated his willingness to work together and suggested that the sitting MPs reconsider whether this is a Government they should be supporting.

"It is the responsibility of the current coalition to properly plan!" MP Ottley stated in his notification remarks. "The current situation we are in is due to the lack of planning by the Government expected to govern our nation for the next four years.” MP Ottley further questioned the chair, "How long will you continue to attach your face to a government of chaos? How long will you attach your face to a coalition that obviously does not show up?"

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten's political landscape is at an impasse as the 2x4 coalition is faced with a crisis of confidence, raising questions about its capacity to govern effectively. Recent events have highlighted significant divides within the coalition, with key coalition members demonstrating a lack of trust in their coalition.

The situation unfolded last week when Members of the NOW party and a Member of the PFP failed to attend the meeting of Parliament for approving incoming Members of Parliament's credentials on Thursday, May 2nd. Fast forward to today, May 6th, the meeting was reconvened at 9 a.m. However, a quorum was not met, and one coalition member was notably absent.

To add insult to injury, at the 9:45 a.m. recall, not one but two coalition members were missing. This time, the opposition members were fully present, providing a quorum. Yet, the absence of Christophe Emmanuel of the NOW party and Ludmila de Weever of the PFP Party raises significant doubts about the coalition's internal cohesion.

The irony is palpable with Ludmila de Weever's impassioned "show up" speech, calling for commitment and accountability. However, both she and her coalition partners failed to adhere to her plea, casting a shadow over the sincerity of their leadership.

Furthermore, the eleventh-hour resignations of Luc Mercelina and Grisha Marten-Heyliger, despite being approved as Ministers by the governor well in advance, suggest a lack of confidence in the stability of their coalition. Did they not trust their own coalition’s stability? Why didn’t they enter their resignation letters sooner with an effective date of May 3rd and approve the incoming Members’ credentials?

Always remember, a divided house cannot stand. The 2x4 coalition must confront the harsh realities facing it. The presence of discord and uncertainty within their coalition cannot be ignored. Their lack of confidence in their own coalition is evident and loud.

The time has come for the 2x4 coalition to be honest with the people of St. Maarten. They must acknowledge the internal challenges plaguing their coalition and address them transparently. Only through genuine introspection and decisive action can they hope to regain the trust and confidence of the electorate that they were elected to serve.

This coalition has surely started off on a bad note, showing its instability from the onset, and the question remains: Does the recently sworn-in Mercelina Cabinet have the support of its coalition Members of Parliament to ensure continuity of Government?

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The application process for the annual Hurricane Passes for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season started mid-April, and the deadline for submitting all documentation is May 31. This communication serves as a reminder to those planning to apply for a pass.

There are two types of passes: the Disaster Pass and the Hurricane Pass.  No passes will be issued to business owners, except for some exemption categories, as noted below.

The pass allows the bearer to access the public road to visit the place of business to assess possible damage to the property.  No company passes will be accepted during curfew hours.  This can only take place during certain hours that will be stipulated and announced by the Prime Minister in a curfew situation.

Potential applicants have until May 31 to present all relevant information related to the process of requesting a pass.

Disaster Passes are issued to the following crucial disaster relief organizations and are valid for three years.  The disaster relief organization consists of the following: Emergency Operations Center staff, Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) staff, Crucial governmental organizations, and entities involved in disaster management such as medical institutions, general practitioners and pharmacies, Red Cross, WIEMS, White & Yellow Cross Foundation, National Security Service VDSM, Sea Rescue, Shelter Management, Ministers, and their drivers.

The following categories qualify for a Hurricane Pass, which is valid for two years: Essential Government personnel without a disaster pass; Essential personnel of crucial companies or organizations: NV GEBE, Seven Seas Water, Telecom and Internet providers, Princess Juliana International Airport, Port St. Maarten, Hotels and Guesthouses, Marinas, Fuel distributors, and gas stations, Commercial banks, Hardware stores, Security companies (supervisors only), Medium and large sized supermarkets, Restaurants (those providing food services to emergency services), Importers and Wholesale Companies for perishable goods (Only requests can be submitted for refrigeration and or generator technicians).

The crucial organizations as listed above (disaster & hurricane passes) can request personal passes for their key personnel.

The Office of Disaster Management, which falls under the Ministry of General Affairs, is handling the application process for the passes on behalf of the Prime Minister.

The Hurricane Pass is valid for the 2024 and 2025 hurricane seasons and will remain the property of the Government of Sint Maarten.

Please note that company passes from the following institutions, Sint Maarten Medical Center and White & Yellow Cross Foundation, will be accepted during curfew hours.

The pass system is a mechanism to maintain public order during emergencies.  The Prime Minister assesses the damage in conjunction with Emergency Disaster Management entities of the Government after a disaster has occurred and can impose a curfew if the extent of the damage poses a threat to the safety and security of the community.

An application form can be requested by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Emails should include the following: the name of the business or organization, a short description of its activities, and a request for either a disaster or hurricane pass.

When submitting the application, the following documents need to be attached:

-      copy business license fee paid (or receipt) for 2024 for businesses.

-      proof of 2024 registration at the Chamber of Commerce for organizations.

-      copy the valid Sint Maarten ID card of the applicant.

-      Nafl. 50,- in legal stamps per application (to be obtained at the Receiver’s Office or the Simpson Bay Public Service Center); this is a non-refundable handling fee; a copy of a digital payment transfer is also accepted.

-      One (1) passport picture for new applicants is to be sent in JPEG format to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the person's name clearly indicated.

The application form has to be completed and submitted to the offices of the Fire Department & Disaster Management – in print form to the attention of the secretary located at Jackal Road 5 (Office hours Monday-Friday 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM), Cay Hill, by May 31, 2024, with all necessary documents attached.

Applicants will be informed by email or telephone when to pick up the pass at the aforementioned address.

PHILIPSBURG:--- A male nurse was arrested today, Monday, May 6, 2024, on suspicion of drugging and sexually abusing a patient under his medical care.

Due to the suspicions, the Police Force of Sint Maarten KPSM and the Prosecutor’s Office Sint Maarten urge anyone who may know of similar occurrences or incidents to report these to the police department.

Anyone with information about this case should call KPSM on +1 721 542 2222 ext. 208, 223 or 214.

KPSM Press Release.