WILLEMSTAD - On Monday, August 19, the famous Central Commission meeting regarding the "3 billion debt relief" will resume after more than a year and three months (since May 11, 2023).
This meeting is of utmost importance because, based on various expert opinions and the Court of Justice, there are clear indications that the actions of the Minister were not only illegal but were taken solely to unjustly favor a small group of millionaire businessmen at the expense of the average citizen and taxpayers of our country.
It is a fact that no law in the country grants a Minister the authority to forgive 3 billion in taxes, especially not through Facebook. Another important point is that all the struggling businesses that received relief could have been legally and justly alleviated through the Tax Collector without the need for the Minister’s illegal actions.
It is evident that the Minister had to violate the law solely to help this specific group of millionaire friends, and that all funds collected correctly by the Tax Collector were to be covered by these individuals.
It is customary that before a Minister takes such a significant action, they seek legal advice on the matter and then go to the Council of Ministers to be authorized to take the necessary steps, ensuring that they act correctly.
For this reason, so that Parliament can understand and evaluate the Minister's actions, the PAR faction has requested in advance that the Minister submit all relevant advice and documents to Parliament three working days before the meeting. This is a parliamentary authority based on Article 52, Section 1 of the Rules of Order and Article 57 of the State Ordinance.
The Minister’s decision not to provide these documents (on time) to Parliament is a sign of disrespect to the community and a blow to our democracy, as it conceals the Minister’s illegal actions to benefit millionaire friends.