WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister and MFK leader Gilmar Pisas is calling for calm, reconciliation and unity within his party following the public dispute between MFK Member of Parliament Javier Silvania and Finance Minister Charles Cooper over the Curaçao online gaming sector.
During a press conference, Pisas said that MFK politicians have the right to ask each other critical questions. He emphasized that he is not a dictator and does not dictate what ministers or members of Parliament can or cannot say.
According to Pisas, Silvania is entitled to raise questions about the functioning of the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) and payments made to a company in Malta. However, he believes that the discussion between the two MFK politicians should take place in a different manner.
“Reconciliation and healing” within the party
Pisas said his first priority is to achieve “reconciliation and healing” within MFK. He wants the involved parties to sit together, discuss the situation and establish clear working agreements.
According to the prime minister, the outcome of the planned investigation into the online gaming sector should also be taken into account. He said the investigation will provide clarity about the issues surrounding the CGA and the agreement with Random Consulting Limited in Malta.
Pisas confirmed that Silvania will not be removed from MFK and that the parliamentarian remains a member of the party. According to the prime minister, Silvania has no intention of leaving MFK or creating a new political movement.
Party chairman Ramón Yung also confirmed after discussions with Silvania, Cooper and Pisas that Silvania will remain within MFK.
Need for more positivity
Pisas said he wants to see more positivity and less negativity within the political debate. According to him, Curaçao already faces enough challenges that require cooperation, including government finances, tourism and sports development.
The prime minister acknowledged that the public disagreement has caused damage to MFK’s image. He wants to prevent internal disagreements from escalating further through social media and public statements.
At the same time, Pisas stressed that restoring calm does not mean that critical questions should no longer be asked. Members of Parliament remain independent in carrying out their constitutional duties, he said.