THE HAGUE – Former Attorney General of Aruba and former Chief Public Prosecutor for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, Bote ter Steege, has warned that politicians and public officials in small island societies must recognize the far-reaching impact of their behavior on society.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) in The Hague, Ter Steege said leadership by example is essential in Caribbean communities where residents closely observe the actions of elected officials and government leaders.
Drawing on six years of experience working in Aruba and the Dutch Caribbean, Ter Steege said the relationship between politicians and voters is much closer on the islands than in larger countries. While that proximity can strengthen democracy, it also places greater responsibility on public officials to uphold high standards of integrity.
“People see what their leaders do,” Ter Steege indicated. “When questionable behavior becomes normalized, citizens begin asking why they should be expected to follow rules that others appear to ignore.”
To illustrate his point, Ter Steege recounted an incident from Aruba involving a vehicle inspection. According to him, an inspector allegedly suggested that a failed inspection due to a defective light could be resolved with a payment of $25.
While describing the incident as an example of a broader problem rather than an isolated case, Ter Steege warned that such behavior can gradually erode public confidence in institutions.
He compared the process to rot spreading through the foundations of society, weakening respect for laws, regulations and public authority.
The former Attorney General also addressed environmental issues, noting that residents across Aruba, Bonaire and Sint Maarten often turn to prosecutors when they believe authorities have failed to address environmental concerns.
However, he stressed that criminal law is not designed to solve long-standing environmental challenges on its own.
“Environmental problems require governance, policy and enforcement,” he said, emphasizing that prosecutors cannot replace the role of governments and regulatory agencies.
According to Ter Steege, the rule of law depends not only on legislation and courts, but also on responsible leadership, good governance and public trust.
His remarks formed part of broader discussions during IPKO on strengthening cooperation within the Kingdom and improving governance across the Caribbean countries.
Photo credit: eanewsaruba