On Saturday, the Secretary General of the Parliament of St. Maarten dispatched an email to a Members of Parliament informing them that the program for the Dutch MP's was amended despite a vote that was taken on Friday in a Central Committee meeting.
The email from Josef Semeleer states that after discussing the proposal with Member of Parliament Roy Marlin, Chairperson of the Kingdom Relations Committee and the Tourist Office it has been decided that due to logistics and time schedule the program will be amended. The amendment is about a surprise activity for the visitors that will be held on Thursday instead of Friday at the Great Bay Resort.
However, the Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin responded on Monday saying that he strongly objects to the procedure and the amendment. Marlin said the objection is not regarding the day or the activity that is planned rather it is about the procedure that was used. Marlin said that after the Chairlady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell and the Chairman of the Committee Roy Marlin could not reach an agreement the matter was brought to the Central Committee where a vote was taken and seven Members of Parliament voted in favor of the event being held on Friday evening rather than Thursday while three Members of Parliament voted against. He said the Central Committee already took a decision on what the activity would be and now to learn that an amendment was made is against the basic principle of democracy. He said no members of Parliament can change a decision made by the majority of Parliament. "We cannot allow this practice to continue as it is undemocratic and against the principles of Good Governance," Marlin said. He further stated that last year there was a similar situation, when it had been discussed and agreed upon, that the Kingdom Affairs Committee was not willing to meet with a delegation of Faction Leaders from the Dutch Parliament on a Saturday morning. It was agreed upon in the meeting that a letter, informing them of the decision of the Committee would be sent to them and suggesting that the meeting be either held on Friday or on Monday.
The Chairman of the Committee, MP Roy Marlin, took it upon himself to unilaterally change the decision of the majority of the Committee and decide to still meet with the Faction Leaders on the Saturday in question.
Therefore, the Members of the National Alliance recognize a habit to this way of operating, which is against the basic principles of democracy. For this reason, they strongly object to the decision that was taken to change a decision taken by the majority of Parliament in a Central Committee meeting.
The National Alliance suggests that this matter be dealt with properly, through consultation with all members of Parliament, after which a decision will be taken by the majority of Parliament.