WILLEMSTAD – Former Minister of Justice Suzy Camelia-Römer says an investigation announced by Minister of Finance Charles Cooper into an annual payment of more than ANG 8.3 million related to Curaçao’s offshore gaming sector is justified and necessary.
In a statement, Römer said the investigation should focus on the circumstances surrounding the decision by former Minister of Finance Javier Silvania to arrange a digital gaming platform in Malta and the payment structure connected to it.
According to Römer, the central question is why Silvania selected a specific person or company in Malta for the arrangement without public transparency or a public tender process.
“Why did he choose that specific person and why was there no public transparency and no public tender?” Römer questioned.
She also raised questions about reports that payments were allegedly requested through Bitcoin to the Curaçao government via the Czech Republic and why more than ANG 8.3 million per year would be paid to a company that allegedly consisted of only one or two individuals.
Römer emphasized that a complete investigation is therefore appropriate.
“The attempt to divert attention from the question of how a person in Malta can receive ANG 8.3 million per year as a gift from Javier Silvania will not work,” Römer stated.
Minister Cooper recently announced that he intends to investigate the financial arrangements surrounding the offshore gaming sector. Römer said she supports that initiative, as well as the investigation by the Landsrecherche that was previously announced by Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas after Silvania was removed as minister.
Römer also addressed criticism from Silvania regarding the offshore gaming legislation. She clarified that she introduced the offshore gambling law in 1993 as Minister of Justice but did not personally issue permits to companies or individuals.
According to Römer, subsequent ministers of Justice, including Pedro Atacho, issued permits to specific companies based on the existing legislation and later ministers continued working within that legal framework.
She acknowledged that the legislation is more than 30 years old and may require revision.
“It is logical that a law that is more than 30 years old needs to be reviewed,” Römer said.