PHILIPSBURG:--- Tzu Chi volunteers joined forces to provide a full home clean-up and basic living support for a 71-year-old senior living alone in Cole Bay.
The effort was initiated after a single mother of four, facing her own challenges, reached out to Tzu Chi for help. Her actions, volunteers say, reflect the teaching of Tzu Chi Founder Master Cheng Yen that “Giving is not the privilege of the wealthy, but the privilege of a sincere heart.”
An initial visit in late December 2025 found the senior’s apartment in extremely poor, unsanitary conditions. The mattress was infested with bugs, there was no clean area, and the home lacked food and drinking water.

The senior faces high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic back pain, and knee problems, which affect her mobility. Family support is minimal, with only an 84-year-old sister and an absent son. Following the assessment, the senior was
approved to receive monthly food assistance from Tzu Chi.
On January 16, volunteers arrived with food, cleaning supplies, and a new bed. With the senior’s consent, all movable items were temporarily removed to allow a thorough cleaning of the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen. Within four hours, the home was transformed into a safe, livable space.
When the senior returned, he became deeply emotional and expressed heartfelt gratitude. Volunteers reassured him that all belongings had been carefully cleaned and organised.
Volunteers also reflected on the experience. Sister Carolina said, “This was my first time participating in a house clean-up project. I felt happy and grateful and deeply experienced the power of teamwork in making things happen.” Brother Cavin added, “I felt joy working with a harmonious team where everyone shared the same mindset and gave back to the community.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis expresses grave concern regarding the ongoing forced eviction and demolition activities currently taking place on Soualiga Road, Pond Island, where approximately forty (40) residents reside.

Many of the affected individuals and families have lived on the property for several years, during which time they established homes and a functioning community. While it is understood that, allegedly, there are two court rulings regarding the latter, the residents are being evicted, homes demolished, and there have been no follow-up enforcement actions, relocation plans, or structured engagement with residents in the years that followed. As a result, residents continued to occupy and develop the land in good faith.

During recent visits and while sitting and engaging directly with most of the residents, MP Lewis observed that a significant number of the residents are within the fifty (50) age bracket. Among the residents, one is blind, while others have other health complications. These realities underscore the urgent need for a humane and socially responsible approach to any enforcement action.

Recent actions by the Ministry of VROMI, including the commencement of demolition works, have reportedly occurred without providing alternative housing, relocation assistance, or adequate notice to residents. This has resulted in heightened distress, uncertainty, and hardship for those affected. “Some of the residents told me that during elections, some elected and appointed officials were through their neighborhood campaigning, but today no one is there for them. The residents also showed me two letters, respectively dated October 27, 2025, and December 4, 2025, addressed to the Prime Minister, the Minister of VROMI, and the NRPB directorate, regarding their concerns. To date, they haven’t received any response from any of the addressees. I empathize with all residents in the area, as they are human beings and they should be treated with dignity and respect ”. MP Lewis stated.

MP Lewis has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of Health, Social Development and Labor, Richinel Brug regarding the relocation process or procedure of the residents on Soulaiga Road, Pond island and is calling on the Government of Sint Maarten to immediately halt all demolition activities, engage in transparent and meaningful dialogue with the affected residents, and provide suitable temporary or permanent relocation solutions before any further action is taken.

MP Lewis reaffirms his commitment to advocating for vulnerable communities and ensuring that government actions are guided by fairness, accountability, and respect for the fundamental rights of the people of Sint Maarten.

~KPSM Arrests and Extradites Suspect in Aron Jacobs Drive Fatal Shooting, International Collaboration Ensures Justice Across Borders~.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) has announced the arrest and extradition of a suspect linked to the fatal shooting that occurred on Aron Jacobs Drive in Cay Bay on January 26, 2025.
At approximately 8:00 AM on the day of the incident, Police Dispatch received multiple reports of a shooting in the area. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered a young male victim (Denzil Skeete) who had tragically succumbed to gunshot wounds.
Through a thorough investigation, detectives identified J.J. as a person of interest in the case. The suspect fled to the French side of the island, where authorities later apprehended him.
An extradition request was promptly issued to return the suspect to Dutch Sint Maarten to face trial. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the French Judicial System, INTERPOL, and the St. Kitts and Nevis Royal Police Force, the suspect was successfully extradited to Sint Maarten on January 20, 2026.
KPSM extends its heartfelt gratitude to all international partners who contributed to this operation. This case highlights the growing collaboration between KPSM and INTERPOL, as well as the importance of regional and global partnerships in ensuring that justice is not hindered by borders.
The investigation into this case remains active.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion has formally addressed the Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, and the Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling, regarding a critical fiscal irregularity affecting government employees. In a letter sent on January 19, 2026, MP Irion requested the immediate correction of payroll errors that have left many workers taxed at an incorrect, elevated rate for up to two years.
"Based on complaints that came to me from concerned civil servants, the majority of whom are from the Ministry of Justice, it is clear that this administrative error is having a severe financial impact on their lives," MP Irion stated.
The issue stems from the handling of one-time lump sum payouts, for example, if someone receives a 100,000 guilders payout. While MP Irion acknowledges that such "Bijzondere Beloningen" (Special Remuneration) may trigger the top marginal tax rate of 47.5% for that specific transaction, he flagged the subsequent taxation of regular monthly salaries as "legally flawed."

Employees report that following this payout, the wage tax on their regular monthly salary was increased to 47.5% and has remained at this elevated rate for up to two years. When inquiring with the Wages and Salaries Department, they are told "it is being looked into," yet no fix has been implemented.
MP Irion, a former Minister of Finance, explained that the government’s payroll system appears to be calculating current taxes based on an inflated "Fiscaal Jaarloon" (Fiscal Annual Wage) from the previous year, a figure skewed by the one-time payout. He argues this is a direct misapplication of the ordinance, as regular monthly salaries must be taxed according to the "Periodic Wage Tax Tables" (Tijdvaktabellen), which are designed to reflect actual periodic income earned in a specific month, unrelated to past exceptional events.

"By locking these civil servants into the 47.5% bracket for their regular salary, the government is effectively over-withholding taxes and reducing their disposable income without legal justification," the MP noted.
In his correspondence, MP Irion issued two primary requests to the Ministers, specifically asking them to instruct the Wages and Salaries Department to revert all affected employees to their proper income tax brackets immediately based on their actual current earnings. Furthermore, he requested that they calculate the excess wage tax withheld during this period and issue reimbursements to these employees within a reasonable timeline.

Additionally, MP Irion commended the Government for successfully finding a mechanism to pay the recent Christmas bonus completely tax-free. He has challenged the Ministers to disclose the legal basis for this exemption and proposes applying the same methodology to the lump-sum payouts for Justice workers to ensure equal treatment.
The letter has been copied to relevant union leaders, including WICSU/PSU, NAPB, and ABVO, signaling a unified push for a speedy resolution.

Click here for the letter sent to the Minister of Finance.