Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
PEOPLE'S NATIONAL Party (PNP) vice-president Portia Simpson Miller has vowed to make crime reduction her foremost priority if she becomes Jamaica's next Prime Minister.
Tackling crime would be one of several initiatives she announced on the weekend as part of an effort to win back Jamaicans.
Addressing thousands of gyrating orange-clad supporters at the launch of her party presidential bid at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Sunday, Mrs. Simpson Miller said an administration she led would pursue better economic policies in order to build a "First World society".
"Every era has its own unique challenges and requires its own unique responses," said the Local Government Minister, who sported a trendy gold silk dress. "The PNP is soon to elect a new leader and this new leader will face these new challenges. I am ready to be that leader. I am ready to meet these challenges."
MAJOR CAMPAIGN
Mrs. Simpson Miller promised that, if elected, her administration would wage a major campaign against corruption wherever it exists, because of what she called its stifling effect on economic growth and competi-tiveness.
"The greatest challenge for the next political leader is to win back the hearts, minds, and trust of the Jamaican people," Mrs. Simpson Miller said. "This includes building their confidence in the political process, eliminating political tribalism and divisiveness, and involving the people in the decision-making process all the time."
More than 1,400 persons have been murdered since January, and the sole female PNP presidential hopeful said her most urgent issue, if elected, was to "tackle crime" and "rescue young people involved in the clutches of crime".
She said crime was facilitated where there were low moral standards and corruption. She however pledged to work with the church and civil society to improve the country's moral standards, including the promotion of better family life.
"My administration will be tou gh in dealing with national security issues," Mrs. Simpson Miller said, adding that border control and collaboration would be key strategies.
She added that Jamaica needed better economic policies and programmes that transcended past economic reforms. She said this was necessary to transform the local economy.
"We have to admit that our economy has not grown sufficiently to address the social and economic needs of the country," she stated.
Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke; East Kingston Member of Parliament Phillip Paulwell; businessman Sameer Younis; University of the West Indies professor, Carolyn Cooper, and Olympian Donald Quarrie, were among those who gave Mrs. Simpson Miller ringing endorsements Sunday evening.
