Van Dijk-Silos: “I find it unjust”

Justice and Police Minister Jennifer van Dijk-Silos on Tuesday pointed out that she thinks that her attempts to reorganize the ministry proved to be fatal for her position. She was busy putting things in order across the entire ‘line’ so that the ministry could function more efficiently. “While restructuring things one stumbles onto people’s interests but the majority was content,” said the minister. President Desi Bouterse on Tuesday asked her to step down but she refuses to do so because she claims that the reasons given to her are unjust and unfounded. Van DijkSilos pointed out that the president had informed her that the reason for him asking her to resign was because of a letter from the Court of Justice. She disagrees with the contents of the letter and made this clear to the president. She pointed out that the Court did not mention in the letter that it no longer has confidence in her. The Court of Justice claimed in the letter that she did not communicate with the nation’s highest court. She pointed out that “it is not true because correspondence went from her office to the Court of Justice.” “The president showed me the letter. They accuse me of several things that are inaccurate.

The president wanted me to start packing but I do not agree with what the Court is saying. I find what happened to me to be unjust,” said Van Dijk-Silos who added that she could not take action because she did not have funds for the Court. She then came up with a solution namely that the department could keep their money. The police force was given permission to keep the money from traffic fines. The minister was scheduled to meet with Attorney General Roy Bajnath Panday on Tuesday to discuss the personal protection of prosecutors. “We were going to look for a solution but I did not get the chance. That is why I deem it unjust,” said Van Dijk-Silos who took firm action against the misuse of the company telephones, overtime payment and vehicles of the ministry. Her measures reportedly saved the State millions of Surinamese dollars (SRDs). The Office of the President issued a press release, indicating that the president on March 16 received a letter from the Court of Justice, informing him that she has lost its confidence due to the ‘troubled’ relations since September 2016. The impossibility of communicating and collaboration are the reasons for the Court’s decision. President Bouterse reportedly discussed the matter with the minister, Attorney General Roy Baidjnath Panday, acting president of the Court of Justice Iwan Rasoelbaks and the team of state advisors before reaching his decision. The president has already informed Vice President of his decision and he has also asked him to appoint the Minister of Trade and Industry, Ferdinand Welzijn, as acting Minister of Justice and Police.